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Dick Winters: Reflections on the Band of Brothers, D-Day and Leadership

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Shortly after Winters’ arrival in July 1942, the Georgia camp’s name was changed from the ominous Toombs to Toccoa. The new airborne officers were highly selective when it came to picking the men to fill what was to be the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

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We looked for the ones who looked like they could take it. When the going got tough, could they stick with it? We also looked for the men who accepted discipline. I already knew discipline is what makes a good soldier. On the runs and the hikes it was discipline that kept the men going. Another thing we looked at was if the individual was accepted by the other men. The men themselves did a lot of the work for the officers by sizing each other up. If someone could not be accepted by his fellow soldiers he was gone right away. The men who were told to leave didn’t get to vote or make an appeal. This was not a popularity contest.

At Toccoa, Winters first met Colonel Robert Sink, the legendary commander of the 506th. Sink turned down two promotions during the war to stay with the regiment, an unusual choice given his West Point credentials as a professional soldier.

When I first met Sink I was in awe. He was sitting behind his desk smoking a cigarette. He came across as having this West Point attitude. You know, ‘You are not any big deal.’ But I learned pretty quickly that my first impression was wrong. Sink was a terrific leader, and he stuck with the regiment from the beginning to the very end of the war. I often wondered during the war how come this guy is sticking around? Frankly, I thought it was his drinking problem. He had a drinking problem, but it did not affect his leadership of the regiment.

This was his first regiment. And if you look at it through his eyes, and you see these troops coming from civilian life, direct from school, from work, maybe a few of them with a little college, and he is supposed to make a regiment out of this group?

It makes it even tougher when you look at the officers he was assigned — and I include myself here. Here I am, a year out of college. I go through basic training as a volunteer. I signed up for Officer Candidate School. So a 90-day wonder, and now I am a second lieutenant. And this is the kind of stuff he was assigned and told to turn into a crack airborne unit. He had a heck of a job. To make it worse, he had nothing there at the camp. There were no buildings when he first reported in. He had to build an obstacle course. He had to beg, borrow and steal what he needed. He had to search for men who knew even the basics of their job. Of the cadre that he started with in Toccoa, not one of them was around by the time we got into combat. They were all good enough men, they were just not fit enough to be in the airborne. They came in and were there to teach us, give us basic training and construct the camp, put it together, but not one of them was around by the time we were ready to go to France. Sink did a terrific job from start to finish. He stuck with us throughout the entire war. I respect ‘Bourbon Bob.’ He was a good man.

Following Camp Toccoa, Winters and his men continued training at Fort Benning and other camps in the States before shipping out for Aldbourne, England, in September 1943. Winters credits his time in the idyllic English village and his relationships with its residents with truly preparing him for the tasks to come.

On the way over to England, the conditions on the troopship were awful; even the officers were crowded together. We arrived in Aldbourne on a Saturday evening and were immediately made busy getting the men settled and bedded down. All of the officers were crowded together in another building. The next morning, Sunday, I decided to get away from everybody to be by myself for a few minutes. The best place to be alone with your thoughts is in church, so I went to church. It gave me a chance to relax a little bit, get my thoughts together. I didn’t pay any attention to the sermon, that wasn’t important — I just needed to be alone. After the service I still wanted to enjoy my solitude. Adjacent to the church there was a small cemetery. I went out of the church and walked up a hill to two small benches, and I sat down. As I looked over the cemetery I could see an elderly couple fussing over a grave. They eventually wandered up the hill and sat beside me.

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  1. 50 Comments to “Dick Winters: Reflections on the Band of Brothers, D-Day and Leadership”

  2. I always learn a lot whenever I ready any article related to Mj. Dick Winters! I like Easy company members dead or alive. I like Band of Brothers movie, in fact I have watched it more than 20 times. I give respect to Mj. Dick Winters for his professional leadership skills! take an example like at the Cross Roads battle, running ahead of his men!! I learnt from you where you said with yr words that “If you are a leader you lead the way!! I salute to you Major!!

    By Gervas H on Jul 1, 2008 at 2:24 pm

  3. This year, at my request, my partner got me the BofB DVR for my birthday. I had already watched the series 3 times, but knew this was a movie I would never tire of. It goes down deep– a movie so rich, it’s like a symphony with perfection and depth in every single note. Every time I see it, I find myself immersed more and more in their world. I thank everyone who helped to make it part of mine.

    By stephanie la fortune on Jul 8, 2008 at 6:37 pm

  4. I knew Maj. Richard Winters from the mini-series BoB and was inspired by his leadership. I give my greatest salute to you Major and all the Easy Company men, either still alive or already passed away.
    Major Dick Winters, a true leader. Not to stand behind the other men and let them advanced by themselves, but to really be in front of the line together with his people.
    I give you my sincerest salute Major.
    I salute the man, not the rank.

    By Yohannes Jatmiko on Jul 28, 2008 at 5:21 am

  5. Maj. Richard Winters . Is one of many reasons why I wanna join up for the army. I also believe that he deservers the MEDAL OF HONOR. He lead E company through things we can’t even think about. When I join up for the Army I want a leader just like Maj. Richard Winters. I also salute you Major!

    By Youjen Chang on Aug 1, 2008 at 12:10 pm

  6. Like many others I have watched BOB several times and my respect for the men who served in Easy Company grows with each viewing. I am also upset that some sites seem to be trying to white wash Captain Sobel. This is like someone trying to whitewash Judas for what he did to Jesus Christ.

    By Richard Cooley on Aug 30, 2008 at 10:36 pm

  7. Hi. i love this page cuz i’m only 12 years old and i am doing a report on Dick Winters. I just love that he went to war and faught for our country. I think he had so many accomplishments. bye.

    By Stephanie Wagner on Sep 20, 2008 at 6:13 pm

  8. Hi iam doing a research on Sgt.Bill Garnier and was woundering if you could help me with it because I can’t find any thing about him

    By mathew stith on Sep 22, 2008 at 8:35 am

  9. Always i was addicted to world war 2 movies and when i saw “band of brothers” and maj winters portrait i found myself amazed by his personality and leadership in the battlefield, all my regards to him

    elie from lebanon

    By Elie on Oct 20, 2008 at 1:16 pm

  10. Watching the series for the 6th time and as always I come away
    with great respect for those brave men. God bless them every one.

    By Bill Giffin on Oct 26, 2008 at 3:37 pm

  11. I have watched BofB so many times I just finished the series for
    the 4th time just 30 min ago every time i watch it it makes me
    want to join the army more and more and if i do mj winters i hope
    one day i could be a reflection of your historic image in my life
    you have shown me a new meaning of respect and dedication and
    to stand up for what you believe in.
    I love the part when the guy said how many wifes get a wedding
    present from hitler.

    Major Winters I solute you

    By Nicholas Buford on Nov 3, 2008 at 1:31 am

  12. It’s never easy to be such a good leader under such extreme
    environment more than 60 years ago. I admired Major Winters
    guts and also his capability to gives solutions.
    I will hope to meet him to know more. Please send my regards to
    him and wish him best of health.

    Alex (Singapore)

    By Alex on Nov 10, 2008 at 7:42 am

  13. i never was into war movies and since im a 16 year old girl thats
    probably not uncomon but i fell in love with band of brothers and
    major winters and everyone in the 506 101st airbourne ! it made
    me so much more appretative and i think they are really special

    By hannah on Nov 17, 2008 at 8:13 pm

  14. Major Dick Winters is an inspiration to us all. He epitomizes the citizen soldier. I did not watch Band of Brothers when it first came out because I just could not bring myself to watch these brave young men die. Eventually, I stumbled across it one night and before I realized what I was watching, I became hooked on the story of “E” Company and the comraderie those men shared and still share. God’s blessings to you Dick Winters. Thank you for leading the way and sharing your story. Perhaps, we will learn from them one day.

    By Shelia on Nov 29, 2008 at 10:54 am

  15. I would love to tell you about the strangest thing that has happened to me! On the anniversary of D-day, this year (2008) the picture we have…Silencing the Guns…fell off the wall and the frame and glass shattered. It had no reason to fall! The nail hole and wall were perfectly in tact.
    We have told many this story and it raises the hair on your arms to think of this happening on that fateful day!!

    By James Stellema on Nov 29, 2008 at 8:51 pm

  16. i just cannot get enough of ban of brothers dick winters is a true hero as they all are. i would like to tell all of them thanks for everything and god bless them all.it was the best true story with a bunch of true heros i’v ever watched

    By robin cedrone on Dec 1, 2008 at 4:14 pm

  17. HI I AM DOOING A PROJECT ON MAJIOR DICK WINTERS AND I WAS WONDERIN IF YOU COULD HELP WITH GETTING INFORMATION.THANKS!

    By JUSTIN RICHARDS on Dec 11, 2008 at 1:54 pm

  18. sevgili komutan sizinle ilgili filminizi defalarca izledim 10 larca defa size hayran?m.sizinle tan?smak onur verecektir eger bu yaz?m? okuyup tercüme ettirirseniz cevaben bi?iler yazarsan?z sevinirim sayg?lar sevgiler huseyin /tekirdag /turkey

    By huseyin on Dec 16, 2008 at 10:12 pm

  19. Having served in the Navy and the Army, I appreciate all things military. I’ve lost count of how many times I have watched the Band of Brothers mini-series. Along with so many others, I really grew to respect the men of Easy Company, and especially the leadership of Major Winters.
    Imagine my surprise, when, in my 50’s, I was back in the military again, serving in Iraq from 2007-2008. I was the assistant OIC (officer-in-charge) of my section when my OIC was re-assigned to a training position and I became the OIC . I determined then that my goal was to take care of my soldiers in the same manner that Major Winters had done. Major Winters, to me, is what leadership is all about. I thank God for men like him.

    By Seng Young on Dec 18, 2008 at 6:30 pm

  20. I just finished the viewing of the blu ray version of BoB. Visually stunning ,but not that much over the regular dvd version. The entire series is very emotional. Dick Winters is true hero and defines the heroic nature of the effort in WWll. Muliple viewing of the entire story is necessary to get a total appreciation of the story and the production of the HBO min series.

    By Dennis Sulam on Dec 22, 2008 at 9:49 am

  21. I too own the DVD set of the Band of Brothers. From the first time I saw it on television years ago I fell in love with it. The soldiers from the WW2 era were gallant men. Everytime the series is shown on cable I sit through each episode. In fact, I can’t step away from the TV. I’m so proud of Winters, Nixon and all of the soldiers portrayed in the series. God bless them for all they lived through.

    One thing I must say–Winters, Nixon, et al You are heroes!
    By the grace of God you survived and came home to share your battle stories. I do have an appreciation for what you endured. I am thankful for the freedom you have preserved for me here in the USA.

    By Laura J Skadsen on Dec 28, 2008 at 7:59 am

  22. I went to a WWII conference in Kingston, NY in October 2005. I had the unbelievable honor of sitting at a table with three medal of honor winners from WWII.

    There were three or four E Company veterans there as well. Talking with all those hero’s was an experience I will never forget. Watching BoB was an education that every American child should receive before they leave high school.

    I live in Riverside, CA near the National Cemetery. I visit the Memorials there and when I go to the Medal of Honor Memorial, I can’t for the life of me figure out why Major Winters name is not on the wall.

    We Americans (and the rest of the free world) owe Major Winters and every other WWII participant a debt that can never be paid. They are all hero’s, the likes of which we will never see again.

    God Bless these men, alive or dead. Everyone should thank God for allowing us to have some of these very special men still with us. Take the opportunity to sit and talk with them whenever you can. You will walk away with a renewed pride in your country and you will be in awe of their deeds.

    By Brent Whitehead on Dec 31, 2008 at 1:28 am

  23. Like a previous poster I too, a New Zealander, avoided watching BoB when it aired on TV, though for different reasons. I too started watching when it was replayed, more or less by accident. Within a very short time I was absolutely captivated. This story should be compulsory viewing for anybody outside of the US who has been led to believe that the US troops contribution to WW2 was that they were overpaid, oversexed and over here. This story demonstrates how very disciplined and brave these young men were and some mothers loved son just like every other participant in this terrible conflict. And although I do believe that Easy co and 506th were special, the same sort of thing was happening in regiment after regiment after the US entry into the war. I am now watching it again on DVD and intend getting my own copy of this as is such an important story it should never be forgotten. Americans, you can be very proud of your country’s contribution during this terrible time. Dick Winters you are a remarkable man and an inspiration.

    By Mary O'Connor on Jan 2, 2009 at 7:08 am

  24. MAJOR D.WINTERS (LEGEND) THIS IS A WORD USED BY MANY BUT APPLY,S TO FEW WHICH AS IN YOUR CASE A TRUE LEGEND LEADER OF MEN NEVER THOUGHT OF ASKING ANYONE TO DO A MISSION HE WOULD NOT DO HIMSELF. TO MANY OF US WHO CAN ONLY READ ABOUT WW11, P.I.R 506 KILLED IN ACTION OR ALIVE YOU ARE HERO,S . GODBLESS

    By christopher gathercole on Feb 3, 2009 at 4:02 pm

  25. I want to personally thank Major Winters for his service to our great country.

    My connection to Major Winters is as follows. I served with
    “B” Company 2/506th 101st Airborne from 1966-1967.

    The spirit of Currahee was as strong then as it is now. We owe this to Major Winters, the men of Easy Company and all the rest of the men that made up the 101st Airborne. It is your courage, pride, honor, and devotion to country, that every soldier has had the privilege of serving in the 101st Airborne, sets his or her standards today.

    I have had the honor of meeting many members of this elite group that jumped into Normandy on D-Day. They are the most humble men that I have ever met.

    There is not enough space to express my personal thanks to these fine men.

    God Bless You and all of the rest of the Airborne Troops that died and lived during World War II.

    Currahee,

    Gene H Langenberg
    Corona, CA

    By Gene H Langenberg on Feb 8, 2009 at 10:33 pm

  26. Dear Sir, You Sir,Major Winters are a true Hero. I would like to thank you and all WWII Veterans that your sacrafices and selflessnes efforts during such a defining time in the American history. Has truly given people like me many a years of relative peacful and prosperous life. May God give you and your wife many more healthy years of life. Thanks.

    By Gary Todd on Feb 10, 2009 at 7:35 pm

  27. Dear Major Winters
    I would like to thank you and the remaining members of easy company for the courage that you all showed to the world of your campaine through Europe , since i was bourn in April of 1947 i did not know anything about the war,only knowledge through films that i have watched .and bits of information from my late dad who fought at Monte Casino and El Alamain each and every man did his job on land sea and air ,but through the film A Band Of Brothers ,i will never forget the gallentry shown by you and your men past and present.Sir thank you once again be sure to give all of the best to all concerned from the above named and the rest of England.

    By BARRY BAKER on Feb 19, 2009 at 7:16 pm

  28. THE GREATEST GENERATION WILL ALWAYS LIVE IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF FREEDOM-LOVING PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. WE OWE A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO MAJOR WINTERS AND HIS BAND OF BROTHERS THAT CAN NEVER BE PAID. WE HONOR THEM AND CAN ONLY HOPE THAT OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN WILL ALWAYS BE INSPIRED BY THEM.

    By jacqueline gagliano on Feb 27, 2009 at 5:29 am

  29. A stunning mini series, I would follow Major Winters to hell and back. Having, my self Been a leader of an engineering maintenance team,
    I have learnt some of the lessons he has taught and would of been a better leader if I had seen the series earlier and possibly of read his story then. Truely a great American if not a true leader of mankind. Warmest regards from an admiring KIWI

    By James Cockerill on Feb 27, 2009 at 10:01 pm

  30. There is not a day goes by when I do not think of Dick Winters and his battalion and what they did for me. David Fraser, Oxford

    By David Fraser on Mar 30, 2009 at 11:05 am

  31. I have viewed BOB series at least 12 times since I recieved it as a gift. I constantly read any and all books I can find regarding Easy Company. As I watch the series I can’t help but wonder: where do men like Easy Company come from? Thank God for their devotion to this country and to each other. Major Dick Winters is their leader but Easy Co. chooce to follow him and his example. God bless them all. May they find or have peace the rest of their days.

    By Dick Bard on Mar 31, 2009 at 1:04 pm

  32. I have tried to study leadership all my life, both in the life insurance business and via sports having been a life insurance manager for many years and having had a baseball schlorship to Vanderbilt…..through the Million Dollar Round Table i was exposed to some of the finest leaders in the world but when I came across The Band Of Brothers I was spell-bound by these men’s courage and disapline and love of country and love for peace and humanity as well as their loyality to eachother……and as I read more and more about Major Dick Winters on the internet I began to realize just how natural of a great leader of men he was and is……but I am MOST IMPRESSED by reading the comments of all of the people in here who obvisiouly ” GET IT “…each of ‘you” who have commented in here obvisiouly understand and respect the great lessons taught to all of us by ALL of the Band Of Brothers about loyality to your country and loyality to your military brothers and the tremendous courage it takes to serve in our military…please remember that there were MANY ” Band Of Brothers” soldiers in WW 2 ( and every OTHER war America has fought in ) that exercised just as much courage and loyality and disapline who did not serve in the 101 and/or Easy company but in units just as important to the war effort…..millions of these incredable Americans…and as great a leader Major Dick Winters was and is, there were many more officers and sgts etc who exercised amazing unselfish and brave leadership as well….Dick Winters has shown us that the great principles of leadership never change and can and should be used by ALL leaders in ALL positions of leadership….I agree 100% with the person who said Band of brothers should be shown to our young people in highschool….i would argue that it should be shown once a year to all our kids in highschool in the 10th -12th grade….ALL young kids should be exposed to the concept of leadership IN AMERICA…..to the young man who hopes to serve under a leader like Dick Winters when he joins the military i would like to say to him : dont LOOK for a leader like Winters….YOU BE a leader like Winters so you can help MANY soldiers yourself and so you can expose many soldiers and people to Winters great leadership principles….and as far as the Medal Of Honor for Winters…..there were THOUSANDS of other soldiers who should have won it also..but didnt…tens of thousands….how about all our young flyers in those B 17 s who knew the odds were WAY against them completing 25 missions but kept going up any way…and all our sub guys and tank guys etc…..those who didnt win that medal did not go to war and do all of those amazingly brave things to win individual medals…they did them to help their country and to help their buddies next to them….they rest easy…every one of them….their country won the war and saved the world and their buddies knew and know that each did their duty….thats all they need…and when they see each other at get-to-gethers and hug eachother and shake hands or when people like us say “thank you ” to them…thats all they need….every time i see a soldier in uniform i personally go up to them and thank “them “…….Mark Bode

    By Mark Bode on Apr 22, 2009 at 8:44 am

  33. To Maj Winters,Guarnere,Malarkey,Randleman,and all E/506. I salute you.Hope I get to meet you and thank you.Your legend lives forever.

    By Joey Gaera,Papua new Guinea on Apr 26, 2009 at 2:12 am

  34. WOW!!… their are so many ppl that see from one tv series “Band of Brothers” that no matter what kind a situation is brought apon OUR country, how close soldiers,officers,NCO’s, get in war time. i take my hat off to all the easy company soldiers and the rest of the 101 on what they did in ww2… I also like to add that MAJ Dick Winters should be recieve the CMOH.. He should have gotten it long be4 this documentary came out.. but hey what can we do right.. I also wish their were more officers liek MAJ Winters in our military today.. HOOAH!!!! SGT Gandar US Army Infantry

    By SGT Gandar Mark A on May 16, 2009 at 7:16 pm

  35. I would like to give a big thanks to MJ.Dick Winters and his comapany for there sacrerfices, bravery and true leadership skills. True heros! I would also like to give many thanks to all of the other allies that did not have chance to get recognised for there efforts.

    The band of brothers was amazing. I think its brilliant to have films that help depict factual ww2 films.

    thanks Jamie Norgate

    By Jamie Norgate on Jun 7, 2009 at 8:58 am

  36. I have all the books and the DVD and still watch BofB every time it’s on History Channel. I want to thank all of you for fighting for our freedom during WWII! I was a little girl during those years, just starting school, but I was aware men and women were fighting for all of us. It made me proud! With Stephen Ambrose’s first book about all of you, the war became more personal than ever!
    Thank you all!

    By Barbara May on Jun 10, 2009 at 1:55 pm

  37. Major Winters is the personification of why his generation is rightfully called the Greatest Generation.

    By Markus on Jun 21, 2009 at 3:53 pm

  38. It’s unfortunate, thanks in part to the politics of Mr Speilberg, Tom Hanks, and others likeTom Brokaw, that America is now a nation of cowering pussies.

    By Bill on Jun 22, 2009 at 12:00 am

  39. In the off chance Major Richard Winters ever reads these comments. I just wanted to say “Thank You”.

    Far from where you live, in a place you may have never been, resides a man who deeply admires the man you are.
    I’m sure that like any man, you have your flaws. But on your worst day, I am confident your a better man than most are on their best.

    If men like you, led this country, we would not be in the situation we are now.
    Thank you for your profound sacrifice.

    By John Lerke on Jun 22, 2009 at 7:14 am

  40. At the age of eight I knew I wanted to be a paratrooper. My older brother served with the 173rd airborne, and the 101st in Vietnam.
    My Dad served in US Army in the south pacific during WWII. I became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne in 1979, I am grateful to all those who mad us what we are today, FREE …I

    By William P. Carroll Jr on Jul 24, 2009 at 7:23 pm

  41. Richard (A simple Englishman)

    Men of few words are the best men.
    Henry V, 3. 2

    Major R Winters

    The acts of extreme bravery, professionalism and dedication to duty shown by you and the men of 101st Airborne Easy Company is the torch of light to lead others to their path of self awareness and respect of your fellow man, alas which can be so easily forgotten in our modern society. I can only admire men of such standing. For the fellowship they have shown to all they have encountered as they pass through this life. May your deeds inspire many to greater achievements. I wish you and your family and the remaining members of the 101st Airborne Easy Company peace in the twig light years of you incredible lives.

    By Richard Slee on Jul 27, 2009 at 8:02 am

  42. I met Major Dick Winters at the Hershey area Panera’s restaurant in winter of 2008. When I was going to fill up my soda. I passed this older gentleman with a bomber jacket on who looked like Major Winters…He had a nurse with him who said “Dick, do you want coffee,” I looked down and saw at his jacket and saw a “”band of brothers patch on his bomber jacket” he was wearing. As he was leaving — he pushed his walker passed my table. I turned and said, “Major Winters, how are you today, sir? He looked down at me as I was working on my laptop and said; It looks like you are having a harder day than me, and laughed — and then pat me on my shoulder. A tear came to my eye, and I chokingly thanked him for his service to our country — and he pushed his walker and walked his nurse to the door. Two other business guys next to me saw the whole thing and could not believe who that was. Major Winters still lives in Hershey, with a “do not disturb” sign in front of the house. The locals, (like myself) respect his privacy! Just a brush of greatness story!

    By Robert on Aug 4, 2009 at 10:44 pm

  43. Hi, I am someone who born in China, raise in Hong Kong, and live in Singapore the past 10 years. I am writing here to let people know Major Dick Winters and the Easy Company has had their admirers not only in US, Europe, but probably the whole world.

    Basically, I believe every army has its hero, be it the American Army, the Chinese Army, the Brits, the Germans, or even the Japanese. Every army has characters like Major Winters, who leads by example. Heros like the Easy Company who would die for each other. Or cowards who would run away when the heat is on.

    The stories of Major Winters and the Easy company is a fine reminder of how human nature would rise to its best in the time of hardship. And truly inspired people all around the world.

    By Ant on Aug 5, 2009 at 5:22 am

  44. I would just like to send my thanks and appreciation to all that have served. I too am a great fan of BoB and anything concerning WWII. My greatest enjoyment came from the actual interviews of the men in their own words. I heard Major Winters say that he was interviewed for several hours , but they only used just a few minutes of it. My desire is to see not only the rest of his interview but all the others also. Popeye Wynn is a favorite of mine. There is something special about the men and that comes across during their conversations and I can’t get enough. They remind me of my father who served in Korea. It was in the last years of his life that we talked about his service and I heard the same humble comments about what he did. All true soldiers must be cut from the same cloth, so to speak. jp

    By Joel Powell on Aug 6, 2009 at 6:42 pm

  45. DICK es uno de los hombres que marco a EASY COMPANY le diò la gloria y eso siempre estarà en el recuerdo de los veteranos del dìa D y en el recuerdo de todo el mundo occidental que sufrìa esa locura de un HITLER totalmente desubicado…Los grandes hombres como WINTERS dejan un sello en la vida que nunca se borra…

    By bettyna de borda on Aug 13, 2009 at 3:30 pm

  46. I just want to say Thank you so much to Richard winters and all who served our country so we could have our freedom. There is no words to express my appreciation and what each of you sacraficed. May god bless you and Id like to add the B of B was truly remarkable movie .

    You Richard Winters and all who served are truly a inspiration to me and so many .

    By Serena Kelly on Aug 25, 2009 at 12:50 am

  47. Band of Brothers should be required viewing in its entirety at every high school class in America! Fox News had a poll back in 2006 that said 40% of the HS in the US think that IN WWII WE FOUGHT WITH THE RUSSIANS AGAINST THE GERMANS! ( I’m afraid the current administration would’ve tried to talk Hitler to death!)

    Going back to WT A&M @ Stephenville to get my teaching certificate eventually led me to Fort Worth Dunbar a week before Spring Break in 2004. (They’d had to escort the previous teacher out of the HS from his “losing it” trying to handle the terrible discipline problems.)

    Using Major Winters’ leadership metheds enabled me to handle all the malcontents and finally spend the time to get them to “buy in” to WWII, which was by concidence the timeline where I’d started. I’d slip in video segments of the Battle of Britain and started getting them hooked on Schindler’s List to the point that they’d get upset when I’d fastforward, but I had to stick to my lesson plans!

    But when Band of Brothers was viewed, they were so engrossed that they’d come to class a few minutes early and would cue it up for me so they could watch its entirety!! No one was counted absent for that whole week! Being over 90% Afro-American became significant, because when they saw the segment where Bull Randleman’s group came across the concentration camp you could’ve heard a feather drop! At that point they realized that slavery was a Sunday School picnic compared to the Holocost! THEY DIDN’T HAVE A CLUE until that point! Every class member passed the TAKS test in history, that in Texas is required to graduate! I’ve read every BofB related publication that I can get my hands on. Keep them coming! Thank you Major Winters. My success at that school was due to you. I personally think that you had a “gift” of leadership.

    I went to NCO school @ Fort Benning & served with the Blackhorse along the Cambodian Border back in 1970-71. Didn’t go to Jump School due to some concussions I encountered during Basic Training @ Ft Bliss.

    May you live forever in peace until you join the rest of your brothers in that heavenly band!!!!!

    By Gary T Jay on Aug 26, 2009 at 12:53 pm

  48. Thank you Major Winters, Sir.

    It is with great honor to know your story and your sacrifice for us generations of late posterity. My own grandfather (Captain Ruben L. Saplala RIP) was a Filipino WWII veteran who fought alsongside the Americans in the Pacific. He also got out of retirement and served in the Vietnam war. If he were alive today, he would have loved your book and the series, and I’m pretty sure he could relate a lot to it, and opened up about his own story during the war.

    Looking forward to HBO’s “THE PACIFIC” next year, same directors and producers of “BAND OF BROTHERS”. I am incredibly happy, and genuinely moved to tears that we are able to pay respect in tribute for the guys who fought and died for us.

    Thanks again, God bless.
    Kris Saplala

    By Kristin Saplala on Sep 16, 2009 at 7:45 am

  49. One of my grand-grandfathers served in the 15th Waffen-Grenadierdivision der SS (Latvian legion). Other was in the 130th Rifle Corps of Red Army.

    War is never easy. The grand-grandfather who served (was conscripted) in the Red Army was killed in action and the other was captured somewhere around Berlin by Soviets and had to spend some 10+ years in Soviet GULAG camps. But eventually he returned and lived a long life. I would so like to be able to speak with him… he saw me when I was two years old but died soon after…

    War is hell. I really enjoyed the BofB miniseries and found these men to be no different than what my grandfather told me about how his dad was taking out commies… He wasn’t a nazi and he couldn’t be since Germans didn’t take untermenschen in their party but he was conscripted and was forced to fight- otherwise he and his family would suffer… And we never really liked commies so I believe he fought for a just cause- even if he was in Waffen SS, he protected his family by doing that and killed the bloody pigs that occupied my country first and stayed after the war for another 50 years…

    By A.S. on Oct 17, 2009 at 10:04 pm

  1. 2 Trackback(s)

  2. Dec 29, 2008: Führung: Auf den Respekt kommt es an : FWnetz - Feuerwehr im Netz
  3. Aug 31, 2009: Great article by Maj. Winters of the 101st. - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

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