Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (VBOB)

Today Hon. Rita Bral, delivered a commorative wreath and a dedication talk at the annual meeting of the Bay Area Verterans of the Battle of the Bulge (VBOG).

Accompanying Hon. Bral was Hon. Georges Faber, Consul General of Luxembourg.

This annual gathering drew ~20 veterans who served in the Belgian and Luxembourg Ardennes, December 1944 and January 1945 in the decisive battle of World War II.

Veterans spoke of their assignments, duties, and experiences -- and of their happiness that Belgium and Luxembourg regularly show their appreciation for the sacrifices the US Army made in that time.



Group Photo

Memorial Service Program Cover

Veterans Retiring the Colors

Hon. Bral, Mrs. (TBD), Hon. Farber

Hon. Rita Bral & Commorative Wreath

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?? Initiative

?? Initiative, Stanford, California

Post-Reception Group Dinner

After the Welcome Reception Consul General Criel
and Dame Rita Bral and other guests had a festive dinner
at the XYXXY restaurant in Menlo Park.

Consul General Geert Criel Welcome Reception

Consul General (Los Angeles) Geert Criel speaking at the
Welcome Reception held in Mountain View, California on
Saturday, 08 November 2008.

Consul General Welcome Dinner

Hon. Rita Bral, Belgian Consul for Northern California and Nevada, welcomed Hon. Geert Criel, Consul General (Los Angeles), at her residence, Friday, 07 November 2008.

Pictured are Dame Bral with two of the honored guests, X and Magda VanCleemput.

K Family House, Santa Clara

Hon. Bral attended...

Technology Office: Mme. Bouquert

Dinner?

Flemings in the World: Meeting Guido Dutrey

Details///

Dedication of the Porziuncola, San Francisco

Hon. Bral represented Belgium at the solemn dedication of the
Porziuncolo, National Shrine of St. Francis, North Beach, San Francisco.

The dedication of the replica of St. Francis' Porziuncola, adjacent to the National Shrine of St. Francis was led by Cardinal William Leveda, supported by Archbiship Goerge Neiderhaur.

As part of the ceremony three Belgian children presented, each in their native language, a dedicatory remark.

Photos

Meeting Prof C...

Attended welcome barbequeue by Prof. Snapper for Prof. C...

Ladies of the San Francisco Consular Corps Luncheon

Luncheon...

Daniel Ost Visit

Daniel Ost Visit...

25 July through 23 August...

Meet to set up visit in 2009/2010

Belian National Day, Flag Raising at City Hall

Hon. Bral arraned with Mayer Gavin Newsome to have the Belgian Flag raised
over City Hall in San Francisco in celebration of the Belgian National Day.

Wine Country Tour, Belgian Mobility Group

On behalf of the Beligian Mobility Group of the Flemish Parlement, Hon. Bral organized a wine tasting and dinner at ???, Oakville Road, Napa Valley and Domain Chandon, Yountville, Napa Vally...

Dinner Honoring Geert d'Hollander

Dinner in Berkeley honoring Geert d'Hollander, Carrillon Festival

Reception, National Day of ????

National Day Reception...

La Trappe Restaurant, San Francisco

Visited La Trappe restaurant, Columbus Avenue at Greenwich,
San Francisco

Jaques Brel Dinner, Performance

Hon. Bral attended...dinner...performance...represented Belgium.

Photo

Jaques Brel Dinner, Performance

Hon. Bral attended...dinner...performance...represented Belgium.

Photo

Dead Sea Scrolls -- Breakfast Meeting

Hon. Bral attended a breakfast meeting...

Fr. John Hardin, Elizabeth Pepin Special Dinner

Honoring Filmmaker Elizabeth Pepin's nomintation for a
??? award, Hon. Bral hosted a dinner for her and for Fr. John Hardin,
Executive Director of San Francisco's St. Anthony's Foundation ...

Meeting of Consuls, Washington, D.C.

At the invitation of Ambassador
Hon. Bral attended a 3-day event for all of the United States'
consular corps.

World Affairs Council Presentation, Ms. Lieve Foris

World Affairs Council Presentation...

Lieve Foris in Berkeley

Lieve Foris in Berkeley

Flemish Actor Lieve Foursat

Special dinner at Hon. Bral's residence for Flemish Actor, including
presentation...

St. Francis's Pourchincolo Rock

Hon. Bral attended the presentation of the "Francesco Rocks"
rock at the deYoung Museum.

Part of the ceremony involved presentations by Belgians in
three languages, Flemish, French, and Germany by:

* Ms. ?? Van... (Flemish)

* Mr. ?? (French)

* Mr. ?? (German)

Dinner Zibbabo

Reseacher & European

Flemish Parlement Special Dinner

Bankers Club of San Francisco

Consular Corps Lunch: Archibishop Tutu

Hon. Bral Attended...

Reception, National Day of Greece

Hon. Bral attended a reception celebrating the National Day of Greece.

Recital of Alain Goucie, Berkeley

Recital of Alain ???

Easter Lunch, vanCleemput Residence

Representing Belgium, Hon. Bral and Dr. Miller attended the Easter Lunch
for Belgians hosted by Magda and William VanCleemput, Los Altos Hills,
California.

Lunch with Indonesian Consul

Hon. Bral attended a luncheon, sponsored by the Ladies of the San Fancisco Consular
Corps, in honor of the Consul of Indonesia.

Tiburon Film Festival, Honoring Belgian Film

Hon. Bral attended a film showing at the Tiburon Film Festival
honoring a Belgian Film, "A Perfect Match" staring Mr. Van Hoopenbrut(sp?).

Legion of Honor, Bouquet of Arts

Legion of Honor

Marina Doudart, French Society Luncheon

Hon. Bral attended...

Belgian Benefit Party, Hayward

Belgian Benefit Party, Silent Auction, Hayward

Chinese Hisoty Society Tour

Chinese History Society Tour...

Rotary Kensington Park Hotel

Hon. Rita Bral...

Dinner, Dirk Verlee

Hon. Bral hosted a dinner...

San Francisco Ballet With Belgian Dancers

SF Ballet with Belgian Dancers

India National Day

India National Day Reception, Consulate of India, San Francisco.

Belgian National Day Reception

Hon. Bral attended the Belgian National Day Reception, held at
the International House, Berkeley.

Introductory Message

This is the blog for the Belgian Consulate in San Francisco.

The goal for this blog is to document Beligan Consulate activities on a continuing basis...beginning 1 January 2008.

Stay tuned for more details.

In the interim, while this blog is being developed, you may wish to visit RitaBral.com.