One of the scenes that I find most memorable in Band of Brothers is in Episode 2: Day of Days which I reviewed for the 72nd Anniversary of D-Day here.
As I have already told you again and again and yet again, there is no way I can comprehend the mind set of a soldier who is on a boat approaching to the shores of Normandy or who is about to embark from an airplane with a parachute like Dick Winters. You may just wanna see the para-drop scene from Band of Brothers one more time below and good luck with comprehending it all.
In Episode 2: Day of Days, Winters successfully parachutes into Normandy, but realizes that he’s missing his weapons as well as his leg bag, in fact, all except for his knife. He meets one PFC John D. Hall from “Able Company” and the two walk together as they try to find their respective units.
At some point, PFC Hall asks: “I wonder if everybody else is as lost as we are.”
Winters answers: “We’re not lost, Private. We’re in Normandy.”
They are exactly where they are supposed to be.
We are also in Normandy today as Throwback Thursday takes us to two years ago, to the 70th Anniversary of D-Day events organized by the WWII Foundation.
The WWII Foundation is a leading American non-profit organization committed to educating young people about the enormous sacrifices and achievements of sixteen million Americans that served in WWII.
According to their website “The World War II Foundation has produced eleven documentary films to date on the personal stories of the World War II generation and was recently awarded one of only five National Programming Excellence Awards by American Public Television for its World War II Preservation Series, airing nationally on PBS stations around the country. The foundation also raised money for the building and dedication of the Richard D. Winters Leadership monument in Normandy, France in 2012. The 13’ high statue is located near Utah Beach and represents all who led the way on June 6, 1944 (D-Day).”
Damian Lewis, whose brilliant portrayal of Major Dick Winters immortalized this great American hero in Band of Brothers, is the Global Speaker for the Foundation.
The Foundation Chairman Tim Gray says: “Damian has been a great supporter of the WWII Foundation’s efforts to chronicle the stories of the entire World War II generation. Damian’s work is recognized around the world and I could not be happier to have someone of his talent and graciousness represent our foundation.”
The Foundation hosted a reunion in Normandy, France on June 6, 2014 for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, with actors from Band of Brothers and real-life veterans of WWII. The event was held at the Utah Beach Museum, with a wreath laying at the Richard D. Winters Leadership monument the following morning with Damian Lewis and several of the other actors.
Here is a minute long WWII Foundation clip summarizing the weekend’s events:
And, here is Damian chatting with WWII veteran Jim “Pee Wee” Martin, 93, who earlier in the week jumped from a plane to re-live the D-Day! Lewis and Martin laid a wreath on the Major Winters monument in Sainte-Marie du Mont.
Felicity Thistlewaite from Sunday Express reports on Damian’s visit:
“He’s best known for portraying Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody in hit TV series Homeland, and it would seem his interest in the military and history extends much further than a Hollywood TV show.
World War II veteran James H. Martin, 93, who landed with the 101st Airborne, on Utah Beach, chatted away to actor Damian as they took in the sight. The pair stood tall during a wreath laying ceremony at the Richard Winters monument, in Sainte-Marie du Mont, France.
The ceremony was part of the D-Day commemorations that took place around Europe, marking 70 years since the fateful moment Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy.”
I highly recommend everyone see this clip in which Damian chats with Jim “Pee Wee” Martin — it is both fun (Damian telling about his experience on Band of Brothers “boot camp”) and very moving (How respectful and affectionate Damian is with this real life hero) that brought tears to my eyes.
You can find more pics from the Band of Brothers actors reunion here.
It is a real plaisi read comments on BOB and the Normandy landings!
If you need to come to France, before going to Paris, go to Normandy, visit the landing beaches, the vast cemetery Americans and you will have tears flow eyes! I Intense emotion!
I tell you that in July 2014, I went with my husband, and I ready to back!
The statue of Winters is beautiful, I even found that the face; the attitude really look like Damian!
in sheds, one can see the old planes that transported troops, tanks !! Go there, you will remember all your life!
Reading your blog, it makes me want to see my DVD BOB!
Tonight I attack!
Thank you Monique! If we can make fans crave Band of Brothers through our posts then mission is accomplished 🙂
I have been to Paris several times for tourism as well as for work, but never to Normandy. It’s certainly on my must-visit list. I can imagine it’s a visit of a life time that D-Day should be coming to life in front of your very eyes. Fascinating. I am sure it would give me the goosebumps!
as you see may be at the tv, you better go Normandis that to Paris!
For several days, it’s strikes, manifestations, is the “shit”!
They will spoil Euro 2016,, it is difficult to say, but I am ashamed to be French!
monique
When we visited Paris in 2005, high school students were on strike and we could not believe it! 🙂 I am looking forward to Euro 2016. I am supporting Italy and, of course, Turkey, too, since it’s my native country. But I’ve always supported Italy since I was 10 — Forza Italia 🙂
Oh, i wish
i could visit Normandy in my nearest future. I’ve just finished the book Biggest brother. It’s about major Winters’ life. He is my hero.
Same here! I’ve been to France couple of times but never to Normandy. I know it will give me goosebumps. Those men died so we could live in peace. I just cannot imagine showing such bravery under any circumstance. Amazing. I will look for Biggest Brother. Nice title, too.
Haha…it would sound funny with the title Big Brother 😉 like tv show