Few American generals could ever be as memorable as Gen. George S. Patton—and it’s not just because he was immortalized forever by actor George C. Scott in an Academy Award-winning movie. Even before he helped liberate North Africa, Sicily, and France, Patton was an Olympian, a “Bandit Killer” veteran, and the “Father of Armor” in World War I.
It would be difficult for anyone to stand in that long shadow, but granddaughter Helen Patton would have made him extremely proud. And while the general never commanded airborne troops, his Helen Patton gave the U.S. Army Airborne a very niche, but fitting tribute: a football game.
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Like every member of the Patton Family, Helen Patton has led a full life of her own, and carrying a torch for the memories of her father and grandfather are just the beginning. She is active philanthropist and a champion of military history, having produced two award-winning documentaries, one about Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing and another about the continued struggles of war long after troops return.
She also hosted an amazing TEDxTalk about her grandfather.
From attending ceremonies commemorating World War II anniversaries to heading up the Patton Foundation, which aids returning troops and veterans in need, Helen continues the Patton tradition of giving to our great country. Her work with the Patton Foundation and the Patton Stiftung Sustainable Trust keeps the memory of the Greatest Generation alive.
Most interestingly, she set out to fix a missed opportunity in history by hosting the soldiers of the 101st Airborne in a game of football. In 1944, the Army planned for the troops to play what was dubbed “The Champagne Bowl”—not because the winners would drink champagne, but because it was to be held in Reims, the unofficial capital and largest city of France’s famous champagne-producing region.
These plans were cut short on Christmas Day because the soldiers were suddenly needed to stem a massive German advance in the Ardennes, a battle that would become known as the Battle of the Bulge.
The World War II-era game never happened. But when Helen Patton heard about it, she decided she would play an integral role in commemorating the men who fought to liberate Europe by reviving the game—and making sure the soldiers made it to the gridiron in Sainte-Mere-Eglise.
“When I thought of the idea, I never thought it would take off,” said Patton. “The first teams to actually volunteer were French and German who wanted to play to commemorate the Americans.”
It was not called the Champagne Bowl, but instead was renamed the “Remembrance Bowl.” The inaugural game was played on June 2, 2018 in Sainte-Mere-Eglise by men of the 101st Airborne.
“Who knows how many of those guys even made it home… let alone to Christmas,” Patton told the U.S. Army. “So, I felt that we should play the game that never happened for them. It’s a new way to commemorate. It’s a way to turn the page of history.”
These days, the game is usually played between soldiers of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, although the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps makes an appearance. It is usually a part of the annual D-Day Commemorations held in the first week of June. It now even comes with a trophy—and bragging rights.
“Let’s think about the soldiers who are now not able to play the game… imagine them there and do it for them,” she added. “This is how we can position ourselves in the footsteps of freedom.”
“We won’t have the veterans forever,” she continued. “But we can do this in their honor for generations to come.”
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