Warbird Information Exchange

I've been watching the entire Band of Brothers series on DVD again for like the 20th time. I was on a flight home today watching the last episode of the series. I am astounded by the sacrifice that these men in particular, but all of our service men and women in general, made and continue to make.

I know Dick Winters and Heffron no longer accept unsolicited mail. I am curious if any of the other boys do, and if so does anyone have a way to contact them. I'm sure these guys are sick of getting asked for pictures and autographs. I want nothing from them as they have given far more than any should be required to. I want to write them a heartfelt thank you.

On another note, I have a question for those of us (including myself) here who have not served in the military. Do any of you feel guilty for not serving the country? I find the more and more I read, and the more stories I hear of the sacrifices these men and women made, the more I feel guilty for not "doing my part." It's gotten to the point where I'd like to either start a charity for our vets or perhaps even enlist in the reserves.

I'm curious to hear other peoples thoughts.
Thanks,
Chuck

Hi Chuck,
Here is the best way to get in touch with the Men of E coy.
http://www.menofeasycompany.com/home/index.php
If you have a moment check out our website.
In the history section there is quite a bit of info reagarding all of the airborne troops and their sacrafices.
http://www.wwiiadt.org
Mark

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World War II Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation
www.wwiiadt.org

Hi Chuck -- along the same lines (WWII ETO), I posted my Gramp's diary entry for 8 May yesterday in Off Topics, as it was VE Day and his birthday......I ended up just posting the entire thing today (only a week's worth of entries).......I sincerely wish that I knew what happened to the rest of his diaries, and also wish that he had spoken more about it to me before he passed away. I guess in a little way, sharing his experiences (or what I know of them) is my way of honoring all who served -- and serve!

My story is sort of the opposite, but I know what I felt when I joined after college in 69. My Father was too old with too many kids in II, but my Brother had done reserves. My background was Texas Republican, I didn't know that much about wars, just the overview of it. I had a bad back, still do; and the Doctor offered me a medical deferment, but he left the decision up to me. If he had been firm, I would have taken the out, but he left it up to me, and I remember standing there very well. I had played football as long as I remembered, skied, etc. and my back never stopped me, so I couldn't honestly claim an out. So I joined, not out of real conviction but without enough the other way. I found the military a place where thinking was a lost art, and never felt a welcome part of any team. So I did what W did, in almost the same place, except I did not fly. I likely would have felt guilt if I opted out. At that time I did not know the story of the phony Tomkin Gulf excuse to start the War, My Lai, and all about Nixon. In retrospect, I was in the wrong place, and I certainly would not volunteer today if I was that age. The sorrow and guilt I feel now is for all those young men and now women dying or coming back a cripple and it just goes on and on.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Chuck,

I'm not sure how old you are but I know they've pushed back the minimum enlistment age to I think 43 (don't quote me on that though). That would be folks that have no prior service under their belt.

I think it's great that there are people out there considering serving in the Reserves or Guard later in life so they can "do their part". But you also need to be aware that if you should decide to enlist there is a very good chance you will be deployed eventually.

Whatever you choose I wish you the best of luck!

John

I remember years ago when "The Men From Easy" would visit Our WW2 Events. It was great & they always signed autographs. This was before "Band of Brothers" came out & they all became celebs...

Here's a shot of Dick Winters signing an Original WW2 506th Yearbook.
(Instantly tripling it's value)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ ... sburg1.jpg

Here's a shot of Dick Winters & Me. Note the Fallschirmjager Gloves He's holding. He took them off a dead FJ that He killed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ ... NTERSS.jpg

Some 506th'ers make quite a living off of thier new found fame however. Here's some shots of "Wild Bill" Guarnere signing autographs at the Reading WW2 Weekend:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/Digger82/R-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/Digger82/R-5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/Digger82/R-6.jpg

There's usually a few 506th'ers that show up at the Reading WW2 Weekend. "Buck" Compton will be there this year:

http://www.maam.org/maamwwii.html

Digger

I am 32 years old, ceo of a growing company, and I'm married with two small children. I have no idea how I would find the time to be in the reserves, and I certainly can't imagine being deployed and having to leave my family or my company. But you know what? That's exactly what the majority of our men did in WWII. I almost feel disrespectful of all of our fallen countrymen for NOT being a member of the service. Many tens of thousands gave their life in WWII. Many of them never saw our experienced as much as I have in my life. Many never saw their 21st birthday. Same goes for our troops in the Middle East now.

What gives any of us the right to sit here and type on the internet, using our freedom of speech, if we haven't served?

I think you might be a bit too hard on yourself. One has to remember the size and scope of WWII and the amount of men in uniform. There was also a draft which didn't end until after the Vietnam War. Many of these men didn't have a choice and were drafted (whether they liked it or not) and did their duty as best they could.

I think the biggest thing that concerns me these days is not the fact that some people haven't done their part by serving in the armed forces...it's that we don't see the sacrifices made by average Americans even though there is a war on.

The average American citizen made huge sacrifices during WWII on the homefront. We were rationing gas, sugar, rubber, meat etc. Americans did with less so that the troops on the front lines had the material to fight with. Women went to work in the factories and many Americans purchased war bonds to help fund the war effort.

Now fast forward 60+ years and see if you can find any type of meaningful sacrifices made by the average citizen. Sadly, the idea of support in this country is driving around in an SUV with a yellow magnetic "Support the Troops" ribbon on your bumper and a "W" sticker in your rear window. I don't mean to get political about this topic but it's pretty much the truth. Where's the mandatory conscription (draft)?...Where's the gasoline rationing?....Where's the tax hike to pay for the war? (instead of putting it on the national credit card )

Unfortunately there are no easy answers to these questions

John

You raise a very interesting question. Speaking for myself, I was nine-months old when my father, a US Marine aviator First Lieutenant, went MIA May 30, 1945 on Mindanao, Philippine Islands. I was the only child between my father and mother, although later I had younger half brothers and sisters.

When I registered for the draft in 1962, I was classified as a “sole-surviving son” which, of course, precluded me from having to worry about being drafted in those pre-Vietnam years. Therefore, without that hanging over me, I decided to get a college education, with Uncle Sam helping with expenses because of the death of my father. I never considered enlisting in the military at that time.

At 19, I had a life-changing experience that further derailed any thoughts of enlistment. I quit college and married my wonderful current wife of almost 44 years and we soon had a child on its way. We did discuss the military, which she really did not agree or disagree about, but I knew that without a college education and a degree, the chance of my being officer material was slim. So I began my civilian career in telecommunications, and with my classification, was exempt from the draft when Vietnam got hot.

Do I have any guilt about not serving? I don’t think I do. I could use the lame excuse that I grew up not having or knowing my father, who did pay the ultimate sacrifice, but again, I don’t think so. However, I do have the utmost respect and support for the military (especially the Marine Corps) and for those that have, and do, serve our country.

I am very proud that I can show that respect and support in my own way by honoring the memory and sacrifice of my father and his fellow members of Marine Bombing Squadron VMB-611.

Son of Capt. Doit L. Fish, USMCR
VMB-611 PBJ Pilot

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In Honor and Memory of Marine Bombing Squadron VMB 611 "Black Seahorse" 1943-1945
Remembering 1st Lt Doit L Fish, MIA May 30, 1945 in PBJ-1J "MB 11"
Cherry Point - Parris Island - Emirau - Zamboanga

But when speaking of Easy Company and the 101st and 82nd Airborne remember that you could not be drafted into the paratroops. You had to volunteer.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

You're correct...the paratroopers in WWII were all volunteers. I'm not sure if any were drafted and then volunteered for airborne assignment or not (not sure if they allowed them to do that). It was also not uncommon to have men volunteer knowing full well that it was only a matter of time before they would be drafted anyway. The logic being...if I volunteer, I can then enlist to be an aerial gunner...instead of being drafted into the infantry.

John

Hey Chuck, I met Bill Guarneer, Herbert Sueth, Ronald Spiers, and Dick Winters. They were all very cool. I also am amazed by what these guys did. Not just Easy Co., but all of the WWII vets that fought for our country. It was funny, but for a while I had Wild Bill's phone number in my cell phone. His grandson Gino is really cool. Winters sent me an cool pic signed to me, with a great letter that ends just like something that you would have heard him say in the mini-series. He ended it with"Chris, I hope that you and your wife live a long, happy life." It is one of my most cherished items.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

I'd love to meet any one of them, look them in the eye, shake their hand, and say thank you.

Dave, I think your family through your Dad have given your share and more for awhile.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Speaking for myself, I've always felt a bit guilty about not serving. I tried to enlist in the Air Force when I graduated high school back in '82, mainly because job opportunities were nonexistent, and I couldn't afford college. I failed the physical, due to an accelarated heartrate..personally I think it was just nerves, as I was scared spitless. They said I could come back in six months and try again, but I never did.

Maybe that's why I tend to be so supportive of vets and those still in uniform. I know that's why I never wear any sort of military insignia, rank, or unit badges. I was really steamed the other day when I saw a boxer giving a post-fight press conference wearing some sort of "faux-military" jacket with sargeant's stripes..I don't know if there should be a law against it, but it's certainly in bad taste.


SN