In Memory of Major Dick Winters

Major Richard Winters passed away 13 years ago today. He is the real life hero that we all have come to know as the charismatic and compassionate commander of Easy Company in Band of Brothers. His obituary in Washington Post makes a note about his  leadership through a letter written by Floyd Talbert, one of his soldiers, to thank Major Winters for his loyalty and leadership in the war:

“You are loved and will never be forgotten by any soldier that ever served under you. I would follow you into hell.”

After the war, Major Winters led a quiet and peaceful life on his farm in Fredericksburg and in his home in Hershey, Pennsylvania until Band of Brothers — the book as well as the TV series — put him into the international spotlight. He was a true WWII hero who was never comfortable being called one. When asked if he was a hero, he liked to answer the way his WWII buddy Mike Ranney did to his grandson: “No, but I served in a company of heroes.” This became a major tagline in Band of Brothers.

Major Winters died like he lived. Quietly. And, upon his request, his funeral service was private and unannounced. We are honored to make a tribute to this real-life war hero on this day.  Continue reading “In Memory of Major Dick Winters”

How Major Winters Steals a Teenager’s Heart: Vicky’s Story

Hello all! Damianista here. Today we are thrilled to start publishing the fan stories we have received from our readers. The response to our call has been amazing and all stories we have received are personal, special and extremely heartfelt. So, please stay with us and enjoy a long-running fan stories party on the blog! And if you are still interested in sending us your story but have not been able to do it yet, please do, we would love to have you on board!

Our first guest is Vicky, who is one of the first, if not the first, fans that followed our Facebook page the day Fan Fun with Damian Lewis came to life. I remember exchanging a few words about Damian and the story she told stayed with me. And when Lady Trader and I came up with this idea of Fan Stories, I personally messaged Vicky to kindly ask if she would share her fan story with us. And she is, proudly wearing her LIFE tshirt, ready to go: Continue reading “How Major Winters Steals a Teenager’s Heart: Vicky’s Story”

For the Anniversary of D-Day: Band of Brothers, Episode 2, Day of Days

Today is the anniversary of the D-Day landings.

On June 6, 1944, after successfully parachuting into Normandy, Dick Winters led an attack on a German artillery position at Brecourt Manor and he and his men disabled 4 German heavy guns that were threatening Allied forces coming from Utah Beach. Winters was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service at Brecourt Manor.

This very medal and much more are on display at the Gettysburg Museum of History at the “Major Dick Winters Collection” honoring Winters.

realdickwinters5

Lancester Online quotes museum curator Erick Dorr: “Winters personifies the World War II combat leader. In my opinion those men literally saved the world. We need to honor that. We need to remember that.” We cannot agree more with Mr. Dorr. And, to remember D-Day and to honor all D-day heroes, we bring Band of Brothers Episode 2: Day of Days to life today on the blog.

source: denofgeek.com
source: denofgeek.com

As I already told you in an earlier Memorial Day post, there is no way I can comprehend the mind set of a soldier on a boat approaching the shores of Normandy or on an airplane about to make a jump into Normandy. What do these guys think? What thoughts go through their minds? Home? Family? Death? Or do they just try to get it all out of their minds and focus on getting the job done? How can one pull it off knowing his own death may arrive the moment he lands? Continue reading “For the Anniversary of D-Day: Band of Brothers, Episode 2, Day of Days”