Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

Wild Bill Guarnere.Community _ Easy Company General Chat _ Bill Wingett Article

Posted by: hooper117 Jul 13 2005, 03:11 PM

http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050713/NEWS/507130347/1001


BAND OF BROTHERS

A 'Brother' in need sets patriots in motion

Confiscated lighter spurs frenzied search and its return

CAPI LYNN
Statesman Journal

July 13, 2005

William "Bill" Wingett gets embarrassed when people refer to him as a hero.

Sure, he earned many awards and medals for his service during World War II, including a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts.

And yes, he was a member of E Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne, known to most Americans as the Band of Brothers.

"I deny all that hero stuff," said Wingett, who has managed thus far to dodge the publicity that others have welcomed.

But he is grateful his connection to the legendary company helped him reclaim a cherished cigarette lighter that was confiscated last month at an airport security checkpoint.

"One of the things I had working for me is this Band of Brothers stuff," said Wingett, who lives in South Salem.

That, and a determined member of the Oregon Army National Guard.

Wingett had made a few telephone calls the next day to Washington Dulles International Airport, where the lighter was confiscated, but had no luck.

When Staff Sgt. Kevin Coady, a friend and admirer of Wingett's, heard his story, he made it his mission to locate the lighter and return it to the 83-year-old veteran. He set to work via e-mail and the Internet.

"I don't know beans about computers," Wingett said. "Whatever he was going to do, he had to do on his own."

Parting with a keepsake

Wingett was returning June 16 from a two-week reunion tour in Europe -- he participated in dedication ceremonies for monuments including Normandy, France, to Bastogne, Belgium, -- when he had to surrender the lighter.

He and 18 other members of the Band of Brothers were invited by a Dutch group celebrating the company's role in defeating the Germans.

During the trip, Wingett was presented with a custom-made Zippo lighter, a replica of the company's 1941-style models.

One side is inscribed with his name and has an image of an eagle with talons spread on the backdrop of a pair of red dice with five and six dots and a large black zero, signifying the 506th Regiment.

The other side has an engraved map, showing places named Arnhem, Nijmegen, Grave, Veghel and Son.

The keepsake was tucked inside Wingett's carry-on bag when he landed at Dulles. He had heard that lighters weren't allowed past security at U.S. airports, but he thought his would be OK because it had no fluid and no flint.

Transportation Security Administration screeners discovered the lighter in his bag and confiscated it despite Wingett's pleas to make an exception.

"I raised somewhat of a fuss," Wingett said, "but it was to no avail."

He even asked if security could give the lighter to the pilot for safe keeping until the plane landed but was told that wouldn't be possible.

Wingett's brother, Kenneth, who was traveling with him, tries to keep the situation on the light side, saying: "Boy, they thought they had a terrorist."

Bill knew the airport screener who confiscated the lighter was just doing his job, but that didn't ease the pain of parting with such a treasured gift.

"He was so disappointed when he came home," said Peggy, his wife of almost 53 years.

A network of patriots

Coady knew he had to act fast after hearing the story. The longer he waited, the less chance he would have of finding the lighter. He stayed up late one night to compose a passionate e-mail, pleading for help in the search.

The first person he contacted was a friend in New York, Matt Kozatek, a former 101st Airborne soldier with whom he had served in Germany. Kozatek forwarded the message to the right people, including two patriotic men at Dulles.

John F. Williams, a claims representative for United Airlines, is a veteran of the 101st Airborne. Jerry E. Golladay, the support services manager of the TSA Aviation Operations Division, is a Navy veteran.

Williams wrote that he was eager to help because his father is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. "I would consider it an honor to help this war hero," he said.

Golladay reiterated Williams' charge, writing that "no amount of effort will be spared until we have this figured out."

In just a few days, the search for Wingett's 3-inch-tall Zippo was on. TSA employees sifted through more than 500 lighters in the hazmat drop-off area and scoured hours of videotape showing security screening.

"The thing I was really surprised about," Coady said, "is how busy they are, and they put the brakes on to help Bill and turn that place upside down."

Back in the right hands

Coady received word a week later, June 23, that the lighter had been recovered and would be shipped to Salem via FedEx.

He nervously tracked the shipment online because he was worried about it being lost in transit.

When he saw that it had been left on his porch, he rushed home from his job at the state surgeon's office -- he is the medical liaison who tracks the status of injured National Guard soldiers -- to retrieve it.

Coady kept the lighter, nestled in a small gift box, in his pocket until presenting it to Wingett. When he handed it over, his friend just smiled and thanked him.

They will never know exactly what happened to the lighter.

Coady heard that it was found on a shelf, or under a chair.

"I just say it was mislayed," Wingett said. "If it was under a chair, I'd be curious what the janitor had been doing for four days."

They assume someone pocketed the lighter but later returned it when TSA and United Airlines officials turned up the heat to locate it.

He never doubted that the lighter would one day be back in his possession.

"I've spent my life as an optimist," he said, "not a pessimist."





THOMAS PATTERSON | STATESMAN JOURNAL
After airport security confiscated a lighter that belonged to Bill Wingett of Salem (right), a member of the famous Band of Brothers, Oregon Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kevin Coady learned about the problem and worked to retrieve the lighter (at bottom). Here they sit in Wingett's restored Army vehicle.

 

Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)