It’s my secret belief – well, now it’s out in the open – that many of the readers here watched the HBO miniseries, “Band of Brothers.” Among that number, no few read Stephen Ambrose’s book of the same name. Over the course of the miniseries we invited a company of World War II dogfaces who helped liberate Europe into our room week after week. If like me, you bought the DVD collection, maybe night after night. We got to know and appreciate the humor and sturdy courage of soldiers Guarneres, Toye, Effron, Liebgott and Malarkey. We appreciated the quiet professionalism of Sergeant Talbert. We nurtured a congenial contempt for Captain Sobel, who forged the soldiers and officers of Easy Company into a hardened fighting force, but was too pursued by his own demons and incompetency to lead them.
And mostly, we admired Dick Winters, the young officer from Pennsylvania who led them from the parachute assault on Normandy, through Carentan, in the humiliating retreat from Eindhoven, in the defense and break out from Bastogne and up to Hitler’s lair above Berchtesgaden. His assault on a defended artillery position at Brécourt Manor is taught at West Point to this day as an outstanding example of small unit leadership and tactics. in overcoming a numerically superior adversary.
All he wanted to do was get home, to a small farm, and there to pass his days. He did, too.
And now he’s dying:
During the war, Guarnere and Heffron served in Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. If that company doesn’t sound familiar, it’s probably because you know it as another name: the “Band of Brothers,” now made famous in a Stephen Ambrose book and HBO miniseries…
It’s been 65 years since the two fought their way across Western Europe with E Company, but this year, they find themselves fighting again: a race against time.
The pair, along with filmmaker Tim Gray and baseball great Curt Schilling, are trying to raise enough money to build a statue of their commanding officer, Major Dick Winters, at Utah Beach in Normandy. It was there that E Company, under Winters’ leadership, parachuted behind German lines and captured four big German guns above the beach, saving many lives.
The statue of Winters will be a tribute to leadership on D-Day.
Winters even has a fourth grader from nearby Lebanon County throwing himself on the oar:
An 11-year-old from Lebanon County, he has long been fascinated by World War II and one old soldier in particular — Dick Winters, the Easy Company commander made famous by the HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers.”
Mr. Winters, a Lancaster native who lives in Hershey, is 92 and has Parkinson’s disease.
But a statue of him is going up in France, and Jordan has taken it upon himself to raise money for it by selling $1 rubber wristbands in the tradition of Lance Armstrong’s yellow “Live Strong” bracelets.
These wristbands are olive green, the color of U.S. Army uniforms, and say “Hang Tough,” which is what Mr. Winters told his men in combat in Europe. In later years, that phrase became his motto.
Jordan has raised $21,000 since he started selling bands in May and says his goal is $100,000. The monument in Normandy is expected to cost about twice that.
“We need to thank these heroes before it’s too late,” Jordan said.
Kids these days.
Time catches up to all of us, and there’s some fights you just can’t win. Dick Winters has had a life well lived, and he was well-loved by the men he led in combat – there is no higher testimony. So if we choose in our own small way to participate in the campaign to place a statue of the man over Omaha Beach, we are not so much doing it to thank him for his courageous service and leadership as to remember it ourselves and to those who follow after us as an example of what men can be.
And maybe because spending $1 on an olive green wristband that reads “Hang Tough” to wear or just leave on our desktop as a good reminder in its own right that things are maybe not as bad as they appear. And wouldn’t it be nice to be even a small part in so noble an undertaking?
I think so.
If you agree, you can get yours here through the portal of two-time Emmy Award winning producer Tim Gray.
Damn, that was like a punch to the gut. I’ve read BoB several times, can’t tell you how many times I watched the series. IMHO, it was some of the best television ever produced. It’s just so hard to take that Major Winters is close to passing to the other side, I always pictured him as something even time couldn’t take. Did you know he was originally put in for a Medal of Honor? Some chickenstuff REMF denied it. I sincerly hope that when he does pass that he is buried amongst the honored at Arlington so that he can sleep with his brothers in eternity.
I loved the book and it’s my VERY favorite mini-series (and one of the best orchestral scores penned, in this musician’s opinion). I’m sorry to hear he is dying. Even with a life so well-lived it’s always sad to me that good things must end.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be linking to this tomorrow to do my part in spreading the word. I hope others with access to blogs and social media will do the same.
I also am unable to remember how many times I’ve watched BoB. Lots so far and more to come.
As Loralee (she of the long, red hair) said, thanks for the heads up, and I too shall let my friends know of this.
Thoughts to Mr. Winters and his family.
Yup…I figured short would be regrettable folly. Still long, and not red again *yet*, but IT WILL BE. (Really, if I am going to be painting NYC red, I might as well have hair to match, no?)
I am of the opinion that these small, OD bands would make excellent stocking stuffers. Going to order up a bunch.
Thanks for the heads-up, Lex.
Ditto.
Good to see you back Tim. Howze the back treating you?
It still hurts. I’ve got some different drugs that seem to be working better, so we’ll see how that goes. But I am moving around better, so there is that.
It is, apparently, a slow process and that makes it rather frustrating, but like coach says: “It is what it is.”
V/R
I know the feeling well. After the first of the year I’m going to contact the Laser Spine Institute and ask them what they need from me to consult on my spinal problems (pain at both ends). They do most of their work under local anesthesia and generally have you back in circulation in about 5 days. A guy at my office went to them and has been singing their praises.
My late Father in Law was in the 82nd. He lived a lot of what the “Band” did. It is a shame he died before BoB came out. I think that he would have enjoyed it greatly, while remembering buddies that did not make it. Major Winters will soon join his buddies. A great group of men all.
Thanks for the heads up Lex. Bands ordered.
May God bless Dick Winters and his men.
Although I had heard of “Band of Brothers”, I never really knew much more than the title until earlier this year when my brother was down and introduced me to it. When he couldn’t get me to watch full episodes on TV without missing pieces (the phone would ring, someone would come to the door), he gave up (or so I thought) and suggested we go out for lunch instead. Lunch and a little shopping, as it turned out. When we got back home he presented me with the DVD set – I got the point, I had to watch this. Watched most of it while he was down and finished it off after he was gone with my youngest. Great series.
So, yeah, thanks for the heads up. I will have to pass this along to my brother. Amazing how something so sad can be transformed by the actions of a child.
[...] Neptunus Lex brings us the sad news that MAJ Dick Winters, brought to public attention via Stephen Ambrose’s excellent book, and the magnificent miniseries by the same name, is approaching that time which comes to all men. In recognition of his sterling wartime service, and as a testament to all those unsung heroes like him that fought in “The Great Crusade” in Western Europe, funds are being sought to erect a monument to him in Normandy. An 11-year-old from Lebanon County, he has long been fascinated by World War II and one old soldier in particular — Dick Winters, the Easy Company commander made famous by the HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers.” [...]
[...] Neptunus Lex brings us the sad news that MAJ Dick Winters, brought to public attention via Stephen Ambrose’s excellent book, and the magnificent miniseries by the same name, is approaching that time which comes to all men. In recognition of his sterling wartime service, and as a testament to all those unsung heroes like him that fought in “The Great Crusade” in Western Europe, funds are being sought to erect a monument to him in Normandy. An 11-year-old from Lebanon County, he has long been fascinated by World War II and one old soldier in particular — Dick Winters, the Easy Company commander made famous by the HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers.” [...]
I have never seen the mini-series, but just finished the book and I’m buying the mini-series for my husband for Christmas. I am crying that Winters is dying. I feel like… he’s part of my family. I have never felt so connected to people in writing, as I did in that book. And Parkinson’s is a horrible way to die. It is ghastly. I’m sickened more by that little bit there, than anything else. As a Jamaican nurse said to me this summer as my father in law lay dying, “The Parkinson’s… it is the worst way to go.”
The DVD set was a gift from the Daughter and here family back in 2002 at Christmas. It spent four years in a case traveling with me on the ballast trains. Still break it out from time to time.
The best thing HBO ever made.
I guess I should buy some of those bands.
I’m in. I am now an “old” paratrooper with ample osteo to prove it besides the Master Parachutist wings. I have a special place in my heart for all the WWII airborne vets. We were in awe of these guys when they showed up at Pike Field for the annual 82nd Division Pass In Review. Met guys with four bronze stars on their wings. Sicily, Salerno, Normandy and Holland. And they were the survivors. Have the same awe of the guys from the 101st and Easy, 506th. I have been privledged to have met and conversed with Bill Guarnere and Joe Lesniewski. Bill happened to be in our area when we lay to rest a friend who was killed in Afghanistan, MSG Tom Stone. Bill attended the funeral. My personal impression was Bill is a big guy in a small of stature body. Joe was the same. As for Dick Winters- I think he will be remembered in the same class as a Joshua Chamberlain.
I’ll get some bands for distro. AW1 Tim has a great idea for stocking stuffers. I’ll also send to SNT in Iraq to share with his guys. Been busy the boy has. First shift on Medevac alert and did four missions his first day. Couldn’t be more proud. And worried. Don’t tell his mother.
I remember being in the O Club at Ft Bragg during All American Week in 1991. My Sheridan Platoon took part in the big Canine and Equestrian Exposition (Dog and Pony Show) airfield seizure on Sicily DZ, and my company commander (who come to think of it reminds me a lot of CPT Sobel) completed his 65th jump that day and earned his Master Wings. He was holding court in the bar and one of the WWII vets in town for AA Week asked me what the big hubbub was about. I explained the Master Wings and 65 jumps. I’ll never forget his reply. “I only have five jumps, Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, Holland and Munsan (during the Korean War), the rest were just practice.”
It’s sad to think that those guys are leaving us now. I ordered my bands today.
LTC F, 3-73AR eh? Which company?
Spent time in 3-325 and I commanded E 325 a few years earlier. Best
I was a platoon leader in B Company supporting 2-325 during Desert Storm, then the XO of A Company supporting the 505th, and finally the Commander of C Company, supporting the 504th.
Years before I ever signed up, I read a book entitled “Those Devils in Baggy Pants”, by Ross Cater. He was with the 594th and made all the jumps, serving from North Africa to the end. It was a straightforward, yet poignant story and it set me in awe of the airborne.
This book was out long before “Band of Brothers” and if you can find a copy, I heartily endorse it. That not any sort of knock on BoB. Just another view of the airborne story from another unit.
My son now serves as an infantryman with the 173rd, just back from Afghanistan. God Bless them all.
Amen.
That would be 504th…. sigh.
Knew what you meant. Just fat fingered the keyboard. BTW, was over your way at the in-laws in Topsham for Thanksgiving. Tight schedule as always but will get to link up with you sometime for lunch. Probably in the summer if you haven’t moved by then. Wife’s father diagnosed with Alzheimer’s on Friday, unfortunately probably 3 years late. We may be going there more often as a result. Will let you know. Lunch in Bath perhaps. Best.
I’m in.
Lay it down, Mr. Winters. It’s okay. You did everything asked of you and more.
Go rest high on that mountain.
An interesting read is the actual bio of Dick Winters, entitled “Biggest Brother – The Life of Major Dick Winters, the Man Who Led the Band of Brothers”. Authored by Larry Alexander. ISBN 0-451-21510-9
My father-in-law served in the 82nd and the 101st. Did North Africa and Sicily, went from Sgt to Major, decommisioned after the war then recalled for Korea as a Sgt again. I need to ask him if he knew any of those guys. I don’t even know if he saw the series but maybe I’ll get it for him anyway.
I’m thinking a contribution in his name.
A minor point. The 101st did not take Berchtesgaden or Obersalzburg. Troops of the 3rd ID did. Some of the troops helped themselves to Hitler’s wine and Cognac. I think the “Rock of The Marne” would object to the puking buzzards getting credit for what they did.
http://www.thirdreichruins.com/berghof.htm#Berghof%20Destruction
More on the 3rd ID at Obersalzburg.
http://www.warfoto.com/berchesg.htm
Vets of the 3rd ID confronted Ambrose and Spielberg on the issue. The record is against Ambrose on this issue.
I’m in, too. I was a Currahee in the mid-70s, briefly (CO A,1/506 INF (AA), 101st ABN (AA)), and though I’m in the regimental association, this was the first I’ve heard about it. Sent the info on to the right folks, I’m sure a lot of other Currahees would like to get behind this one. There’s been another effort ongoing for some years to get MAJ Winters’ Silver Star upgraded to the MOH, but it’s a long shot, at best.
I thought Winters had the DSC for the Brecourt Manor Assault.
Oops, brain fart. You are absolutely correct, it is a DSC that some folks are trying to get upgraded to the MOH.
[...] orchestral scores ever, in my opinion. I have endless admiration for those men (and all veterans). I was saddened to read about of the impending passing of Dick Winters (the much loved and revered commander of Easy Company during WWII). An 11-year-old near Dick [...]
[...] orchestral scores ever, in my opinion. I have endless admiration for those men (and all veterans). I was saddened to read about of the impending passing of Dick Winters (the much loved and revered commander of Easy Company during WWII). An 11-year-old near Dick [...]
I just ordered my wrist bands. Recently, I flew out to Seattle to see my Giants play the Seahawks just before Veterans Day. It was Veterans Appreciation day at Qwest Field. Just before the National Anthem they introduced a special guest: Lt. Buck Compton, who got a very loud cheer. It’s always nice to see those men remembered.
As an enlisted Sailor and as an Officer, I consciously tailored myself after Major Winters. Not that I came close, but I could reach for the stars now, can’t I?
Just a dollar? Even I can do that. I have read Dick Winters’ book. It’s in this very room, *somewhere*. I never saw “Band of Brothers” at home, but it was playing on the TV in the emergency room when I went in with a collapsed lung back in ’04. Watching the the co-pilot of the C-47 have his head explode from a 20mm hit while the surgeon was sticking a chest tube into me sorta concentrated my mind about the killin and hurtin and dyin.
I clicked on the link. It would not allow me to proceed. Besides, it’s Paypal, with which I will have nothing whatsoever to do. I would be willing to write a check and send it to an actual physical address, as I did for Valour IT. (Who sent me back a really cool challenge coin)
Sorry, I’ll have nothing to do with PayPal. Gimmee a real postal address and I’ll send whatever bucks I can spare.