We (SGM Herm Clemens (ret) and I David Shaw) are working on getting Dick Winters the Congressional Medal of Honor that he was Nominated for for his actions on D-Day 06JUN44. We are doing this with Dick's permission. Please write your U.S. Congressman and Please write the Secretary of the U.S. Army. For Details you can see the supporting Documentation at http://www.28-110-K.org/winters.

Tanks for your support of "a true American Hero" Richard D. Winters.

Thank you, SGM Herm Clemens and David Shaw for working to get Major Winters the recognition he so rightly deserves!

I will be writing my letters this weekend.

Stay Safe,
Mike

Not sure there's much I can do being from the UK and all, but this is a very good thing to see. I really hope people put all their effort into getting him the medal he deserves.

Can people from overseas do something about it?

I'll gladly do my part.

Nat/Frenchie, I think they gave us an address where to write for us overseas people. Like they say, hand written letters are better than emails. Someome might post that address back here. Er...anybody?


gold

http://www.wildbillguarnere.com/forums/ind...11936entry11936

There's a ton of information on the thread that started this conversation. BK

I cliked on the link indicated in Mr Clemens and Shaw's message and it worked, I actually found some information + article.
However, it is for US people only.

I clicked on the link indicated by Homefront (thanks), unfortunately, it didn't get anywhere. Could it be possible the messages got destroyed in the blow up which the administrator mentioned?

Any other ideas???

Thanks in advance,

Nathalie

Gold,

Being new on the forum, I've obviously missed many topics...
I wonder where we can find this address!!

Hmm...i'll see what i can scrounge up!

gold

Gold,

I found a topic on which it had started, I think,... but still the same problem, no useful link working!!

Jiggers,

I noticed you wrote about it, any suggestion???

Thanks,

Nathalie

SGM Herm Clemens has just given me what we think is great news:

Dave, Have made great strides in the last few weeks. Our connections in Washington are driving hard, we expect a vote (decision) sometime in February 2003. Keep us in your prayers, it's looking great. Herm


Keep writing the US Senators and the Secretary of the Army.


TANKS to all who have helped, but we can't stop now. Now we have to wrok harder.

Oh that certainly is good news! I'll keep that in my prayers and have my fingers crossed! Lotsa luck!

gold

When I talked to Sgt. Clancy Lyall, he also seemed quite optimistic. Sgt. Clemens should be the first to know, though, so I'm delighted to hear that things are looking up. Thanks for that report. y.o.s., Doug

To all members and fans of Wild Bill Guarnere everywhere.

We few we merry few.

I think it is important to keep up the pressure on our politicians in Washington DC. Several of you have asked for addresses where you can write.

The most important one now is Sen. Rick Santorum. He is the point man on this and is supposed to introduce the legislation on it.

His address is,

Senator Rick Santorum
120 Russel Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510, U.S.A.

Please address in the care of Jill Hershey or Larry Navin
They are monitering this for the Senator.

I have noticed that in my conversations with people that using the term upgrade does not have the same effect as restoration. Small point but we still are dealing with some people who are totally unfamiliar with the Major's accomplishments. They seem to think that this effort is a result of the mini series and not an injustice. The term upgrade is misleading to them. To put it in terms of an injustice, raises it above the level of trading on the publicity of Band of Brothers. I ask all of you to write something to the Sen. from PA, the President , your local Congressman, The Secretary of the Army. anyone, but just write about this restoration. He was nominated and deserves this. Keep up the pressure, ask specific questions, ask for answers to them, or when you can expect them. Don't be satisfied with the "putoff "

This can't be accomplished without each and everyone of you helping.

Hang Tough !
Jiggersfromsphilly

actually, santorum is probably not the most important person here. if he is planning to introduce the bill, then it is obvious he is already on the right side with all of this. all the more reason for all of us in the US, in our varying states, to write to our representatives. anyone who may be sitting on the fence or who may oppose this (what fools!) are the people that need to hear from us. just a little something i learned years ago - the guy proposing a bill doesn't need to hear from his constiuents nearly as much as those who don't know how they are going to vote, or at least we the constiuents don't know how they are going to vote.

not that writing santorum is a bad thing, just that the key thing is to innundate the other state reps with the letters, let them know how their constituents feel.

I posted this address primarily for the people in Europe and other places in the world, so they would have a focus point. But rcaf is right we have to keep up the pressure and letters of ant kind to Reps & Sens will help.

LETS GET GOING

Hang Tough !
Jiggersfromsphilly

and also i guess i assumed, and we all know what that means, that santorum was standing strong on this issue. so on the outside chance that he is waivering or thinking of back-burnering (is that a word?) this issue, then he too should still be baraged! as a former PA resident, with many family still left there, i feel compelled to let him know how i feel, and i am sure my family does too. we have many BoB fans in my family!

I recieved a call today from Larry Navin of Senator Santorum's staff. Mr Navin said that a letter from the Senator supporting this had been sent to the Secretary of the Army and that they had sent back a letter confirming this and putting the recomendation before the awards committee.

HUZZA, HUZZA, HUZZA, your letters and E-Mails worked. All we can do now is barrage the Secretary of the Army and the President now.

A BIG PAT ON THE BACK TO ALL OF YOU !

Lets keep up the good work and get this done for the Major.

YOWSER !
Jiggersfromsphilly

Nice job, everyone, but particularly Sgt. Clemons and that whole crowd of guys we love --

GUYS WHO NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP!!!

BK

Great Job!

WELL DONE, Jiggers and all, especially SGM Clemens.

Isn't it great to hear that justice might be done? Seems especially appropriate this time of year.

I have worried that the Pentagon might resent what it might regard as civilian meddling in the awards process -- even though Sink originally recommended it. My worries were allayed when I talked with a retired Colonel from the 82nd who was on the BOB tour. He said "Hey, after all, we're fans of Major Winters too." Just so.

I think a little CURRAHEE might be in order. CURRAHEE!

Hooray to all of you!!!

gold

Great news!!!!!

Kelly

That is wonderful!!!!

kat

I'm glad... Fingers crossed.

I sent my letter too, thanks to Mr Clancy Lyall whom I got in touch with.

Gold, now you know where to write, YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!

Nathalie

Do you think it won't be too late? It usually gets there about a month or so

gold

I got this in my inbox today. Probably written by an aide, but it's a start for Michigan hopefully!


December 18, 2002



Mr. Tim Capling



Thank you . . .

. . for contacting me about the Medal of Honor award. I appreciate that
you have taken the time to communicate your views and concerns with me.

I understand your concern about honoring Major Winters. Should related
legislation come before the U.S. Senate for a vote, I will keep your views
in mind, and share your thoughts on this issue with my colleagues who
serve on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to contact me
whenever I can be of assistance to you or your family.


Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator

Hey does anyone know the current situation of the legislation on this topic? I have been emailing my butt off. I think i have emailed almost every senator now i'm workignmy way over to the House. I know alot of poele have been contactign their congressmen and women. Keep up hte good wokr. Major Winters deserves our best on this.

Jocey

Dear Jocey,

Good news ! Your efforts have been rewarded. Senator Santorum has sent a letter to the Secretary of the Army recommending the upgrade. The issue is now with the Sec/Army's review board and hopefully will be voted on in a favorable light by a panel of 3 star Generals, early next month. If a favorable vote is not reached, then we go back to writing our legislators to have a resolution passed into law.

Thanks for yours and all of the WBG community that have written. You all have contributed to Easy Company history.

Yowser !
Jiggersfromsphilly

Tony,

I do hope it will work out, if not, let us know, and I'm sure we'll be many to write some more...

Nathalie

GIVE WINTERS A MEDAL OF HONOR

I have nominated Maj Dick Winters (ret) to received the CMoH via Sen John Mccain & Sen Jon Kyl from Arizona . I was born in Casa Grande Ariz , even though I live in Australia and still maintain my US Citizenship.

I have sent this Senator an email
Kyl, Jon - (R - AZ) Class I
730 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
Web Form: kyl.senate.gov/con_form.htm

McCain, John - (R - AZ) Class III
241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2235
E-mail: john_mccain@mccain.senate.gov

Good for you, pvt. And welcome back, after your long hibernation.

What a terrific endeavor this forum has taken on. I do hope the Medal of Honor is awarded to Major Winters. I am elated and awaiting the outcome. Good job to everyone involved. Norse.

I think John McCain would definitely endorse Major Winters MOH. He is also a very brave vet. Regards, Vanessa

How great would that be to see Major Winters get what he so richly deserves? The MOH!! Way to go to all of you who are making this happen. I will do my part if it's not too late. I can't think of a better cause right now. How about a presidential nomination?!

Chris

PteJohnTowle, Nice to see you again. I hope that in your messages to your Arizona reps you referenced the petition already before the Department of the Army. We know how much the Army loves to get phone calls from Senators pushing them in one direction or another, but in this case they should be working together for a successful outcome.

Thanks for the boost from Down Under. Bk

Ok Senators Kohl and Feingold from Wisconsin have my opinion on the issue!

CMoh For Winters!
CURRAHEE !!!

Ryan

giving winters a medal of honor is "the only thing the army did right", when they do it at least...

I gave the Senators the link to the webpage in the first post in this thread ! Affirmative !

I have asked Dick about the push to get him the Medal of Honor and he simply says, "I don't talk about that too much. A lot of men deserved it more than me." That's a typical Winters response. But at least someone appreciates him. He told me Monday that on April 21 the FBI is picking up Ethel and him and taking them to Washington, D.C. where on April 22 he will address the FBI on the topic of leadership. Dick said, "I told the guy they can get someone from West Point. They teach leadership there. But he said 'we know about West Point, but we want you.'" Dick guesses they want someone who didn't read the textbook but got on-the-job training.

Dick Winters could deliver lectures on leadership to generals, CEOs, governors, mayors, loading dock foremen, teachers, principals, just about anybody who has to supervise another person.

As far as I'm concerned, Dick Winters is my commanding officer.

He should get the Medal of Honor.

I'm sorry if I am repeating myself (I posted this info under another topic on the WBG site, but not here), but anyone who wants to read a great story about Dick Winters that is currently running in his college alumni magazine (F & M College in Lancaster) can do so by going to the website at http://magazine.fandm.edu/features and then scrolling down until you see his photo. You can click on the story title and read away. The photo, by the way, was taken by my colleague, Dan Marschka, during an interview I had with Dick in 2001.

Thank you for the link, Larry. That was a great article!

michelle

That is a well written article...Thanks for the link.

That was a good article on the Major. It contained a lot of info I had not read before but now knowing enriches for me the experience of studying the story of BoB. So Bill Guarnere was half right.

Brokered by Vanessa, here is some of LarryA's work, as published in Major Winters' local paper. Some of these pieces will be familiar to old hands, but all are good reads. Thanks, Vanessa, and especially LarryA for the permission.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL (LANCASTER, PA.)

Biggest 'brother'
Miniseries tells story of Ephrata native and men he led during World War II
10/12/01

If the men of Company E of the 506th Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, are indeed a "Band of Brothers," as the current television miniseries claims, then Richard D. Winters is the big brother.

Winters, an Ephrata native who now lives in Hershey, is a pivotal character in the 10-part adventure on HBO that follows the men of Easy Company from Camp Toccoa, Ga., in 1942 to the capture in April 1945 of the Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden, Adolf Hitler's mountain retreat. In between it covers, in gut-wrenching detail, the jump into France on D-Day, actions in Holland during Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated Allied attempt to force a crossing on the Rhine River in September 1944, the Battle of the Bulge and the division's encirclement and valiant stand at Bastogne.

During most of those actions, Winters commanded E Company. He was later made battalion commander. A lieutenant in 1942, he left the army with the rank of major. The television miniseries is based on the book by historian Stephen A. Ambrose. It was co-produced by director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks. In the midst of the media hoopla over the TV series, Winters, now 83, tries to keep a low profile. Living in a quiet neighborhood in Hershey and only giving interviews to those who have read Ambrose's book, Winters lives a life in sharp contrast to the hell he endured in war-torn Europe.

Winters' office on the second floor of his home is like being in Company E headquarters. He keeps files on all of the men. His walls hold books, battle maps and photos, as well as a display case for his medals, an insignia and a Company E flag. A pair of paratrooper jump boots -- the ones he wore at Carenton, France, in 1944, when he received a minor leg wound -- stands next to a file cabinet. "Here's where I was hit," he said, pointing to a mark on the left boot. It was in this room that Ambrose first interviewed Winters for his earlier book, "Citizen Soldiers." From that book sprang "Band of Brothers," which Winters said was his idea.

"In sitting down with Ambrose over dinner at his home, I mentioned the fact that I thought Company E had a story because of Normandy, Holland, Bastogne and into Berchtesgaden," Winters said. "He was feeling good and I remember him rearing back and saying, "You know what? I think I am the best military historian in the business today.' That's quite a statement. But looking at what he's done, he has proved that he is."

Winters said watching the movie -- he was sent all 10 parts by Hanks -- has been "very tough." He looks at it with a mixture of pride (because his unit's story is being told) and dread (since it forces him to relive the wounding and death of his men)."Before a guy is hit I know he's going to be wounded. I know there he's going to be wounded," Winters said. Aside from the trauma of reliving bad memories, Winters' biggest worry was that the filmmakers "get it right."

"I was hoping they wouldn't go too Hollywood and keep it as real as possible," he said. For the most part, he said the producers succeeded, both in the accuracy of the film and in showing the terror and confusion of battle -- from the sound of incoming rounds to the human carnage those rounds leave in their wake. "It's realistic, including the blood," he said. "But I think they used more blood in the film than I remember, but the wounds were correct."

Winters' early years were spent growing up in Ephrata. The son of Richard and Edith Winters, the youngster grew up on East Fulton Street and attended the former Franklin Street Elementary School. "When I was in about second grade, we moved to Lancaster," he said. Living on South West End Avenue, Winters graduated from the former Lancaster Boys High School. He then attended Franklin & Marshall College, where he majored in business administration. He graduated in June 1941. Though America's involvement in the war was still six months away, he joined the Army, anticipating the draft.

"After I graduated from F&M, I immediately volunteered because you were going to be drafted. So rather than get a job and then be drafted, I thought, "Let's get this Army thing out of the road,'" Winters said.

Company E entered France in 1944 with 149 officers and men. Taking into account replacements, it suffered 150 percent casualties over the next 11 months. Today, there are about 22 of the original Camp Toccoa men left. They have kept in touch throughout the years. Of late, many have been attending various premieres of "Band of Brothers" from France to California.

Winters, who worked in the animal feed business until his retirement, and his wife of 53 years, Ethel, are growing a touch weary of life in the limelight. Winters, however, said he will attend the California debut of a follow-up documentary set to air after the miniseries. The documentary consists strictly of interviews with the veterans.

Meanwhile, Winters keeps in touch with the men who played such an important role in his life. "They are my brothers," he said. "They're family. I keep in touch with them as much as possible. We share our memories. We share our feelings. We share our grief and our happiness. We're brothers. You can't be closer than that."

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL (LANCASTER, PA.)

'Brothers' bask in the spotlight // World War II vets get letters from around the world in wake of miniseries
04/08/02
By Larry Alexander

As surely as they hit the silk when they parachuted into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day in 1944, the men of Easy Co.,506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, have stormed into the limelight since the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers" aired last fall.

The World War II veterans have received letters and e-mails from around the world. Beginning at 9 p.m., HBO will rebroadcast the riveting 10-partminiseries, which tells the story of Easy Co., beginning with training at Camp Toccoa, Ga., through D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, and ending with the capture of the citadel of Nazism itself, the Eagle's Nest, Adolf Hitler's mountaintop chateau in Bavaria. While the movie, produced by Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks, has earned praise for its makers and cast, winning both a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award, its spotlight also has illuminated the veterans.

Now celebrities, albeit reluctant ones, the aging vets receive fan mail from the United States, Europe and Australia. They expect more after the series runs again. "I guarantee it'll get worse," William Guarnere said. Guarnere, of Philadelphia, was a sergeant with the company, earning the nickname "Wild Bill."

"You didn't want to be near me in combat," he said. "They sent me over there to kill Germans, and that's what I did. That's what they paid me for." In January 1945, he was wounded at Foy, Belgium, while pulling a wounded buddy, Sgt. Joe Toye, to safety during an artillery bombardment. Both men lost a leg.

Since the miniseries last ran, Guarnere, now 79, said he's received "thousands of letters." “I got 14 just today," he said. One letter from a Dutch family thanked him for his sacrifice in helping liberate their country. "It brings a tear to your eye," he said. Guarnere likes hearing from children and gives talks in schools. "I'm their hero," he said. "They love Wild Bill."

Also reeling under the mass of mail is Co. E's commander, Richard D. Winters of Hershey. A Lancaster County native who grew up in Ephrata and Lancaster and attended Franklin & Marshall College, Winters has received nearly 800 letters. Some reach him despite addresses like "A Farm Somewhere in Hershey" or "Major Richard Winters, Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division, Band of Brothers, Hershey, Pa."

A letter from Rumania was sent to "Mayor of the city of Hershey. "Hershey doesn't have a mayor, so a town supervisor took the letter to the library where Winters' wife, Ethel, volunteers and gave it to her to deliver. Another read "Mr. Richard (Dick) Winters, World War II hero and subject of the HBO Band of Brothers Series, Hershey, Pa. 17033." "The post office has been very kind to us," the soft-spoken Winters said.

One British writer who sent a letter to Winters at "an address in or near Hershey" apologized to the post office "for not having the full address. Would you please deliver? Thanks." Winters said people write for many reasons. "They often apologize for disturbing my privacy, but they just want to say, "Thanks,'" he said. "They're very touching. I can only read so many, then I have to stop. It's very emotional."

Some of the letters originate locally. A Lancaster man who lived in the Netherlands as a child during the German occupation wrote to share some memories. "On Sept. 17, 1944," the letter read, "I saw planes with gliders flying overhead for the air drop on Arnhem." One of the planes he saw may have carried Winters, who parachuted into Holland that day as part of the ill-fated Operation Market Garden attack.

Another Easy Co. vet, Millersville University graduate Forrest Guth, gets mostly e-mails. Many are requests for autographs. He complies, but in one instance discovered his signature was being auctioned over the Internet. "I found that disheartening," said Guth, who lives in Hockessin, Del. Guth said he has received invitations from Dutch residents to visit Holland and stay at their homes. "The Dutch are very pro-American," Guth said.

Most of the Easy veterans answer the letters, but not Edward "Babe" Hefron. "He rips everything up," Guarnere said of his friend and neighbor. "It's too much for him. He's in a wheelchair. Once you start, where do you draw the line? So he doesn't answer any of them." Guarnere answers his mail. "I'm running out of stamps," he joked.

Winters believes answering the mail is the most important part of his new-found fame. "Everybody wants to have a piece of you," he said. "They all want to come for a visit. I can't do that. If I take the time to sit and talk to one guy, look what I've lost. I think it's more important to get in touch with all of them and let them know I read their letter. I personalize each response."

The popularity of the miniseries, coupled with the film's release next fall on VHS and DVD, has Guarnere worrying about a publicity nightmare at the 101st's October reunion in Phoenix, Ariz. "It'll be a mad house when they hear that E Company is getting together," he said. Probably. But as Winters always says, "Hang Tough."

Those were great. Thanks for posting, BK.
I bet there'd be some volunteers here to keep Bill supplied with stamps.


Sue

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL (LANCASTER, PA.)
Commander ships out to Emmys
Local man, inspiration for 'Band of Brothers,' to attend TV awards
09/21/02
By Larry Alexander

Lancaster County will be front and center at Sunday night's 54th annual Emmy Award ceremonies in Hollywood. Richard Winters, commander of E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during World War II and a central figure in the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers," will have a front-row seat at the Hollywood gala.

Winters, who was born in New Holland and lived in Ephrata and Lancaster, will share a table with "Band of Brothers" co-producer/actor Tom Hanks. The 10-part miniseries, which follows Winters (played by British actor Damian Lewis) and the men of Company E from their training camp at Toccoa, Ga., through D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge to the capture of Adolf Hitler's Bavarian mountaintop home, is up for 19 awards. One of those nominations is for best miniseries, and if it wins, the whole world will get to meet Winters. "If we win," Winters said. "Tom Hanks wants me to go on stage with him. "That concerns the 84-year-old Winters. The legs that once propelled him out of airplanes over occupied Europe don't work too well anymore, and he is skeptical about the stairs leading up to the stage.

"I don't want to embarrass myself, so I may enter from the wings," he said. Onstage, winners are allowed one minute for comments. Hanks is expected to speak for about 20 seconds, then turn the microphone over to Winters. He said, "I will thank them all for putting this together, but I want to be sure to remember the Easy Company men who are there and the ones we've lost along the way so that everyone is recognized. If I do that, I've done my job. What more is there to say?"

Winters' trip will be first-class all the way. At 9 a.m. Friday, a limousine picked up him and his wife, Ethel, at their Hershey home and whisked them to the Philadelphia airport. In California, Winters, Ethel and Robert Hoffman, an architect with the Lancaster firm of Beers, Schillaci & Hoffman who is going as Winters' assistant, will be met by another limo and taken to the lavish Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel. The limo will be at Winters' disposal until he leaves for home Wednesday.

Also joining Winters are 35 of his E Company comrades and their guests, although Winters and his party will be the only ones at Sunday's Emmy ceremony at Shrine Auditorium. The rest will be watching from another location on a big-screen TV. Winters also expects the ailing author of "Band of Brothers," Stephen E. Ambrose, to attend.

After the Emmys, Winters and the other vets will attend a ball hosted by California Gov. Gray Davis, then head to Spago, a restaurant in Beverly Hills, for HBO's post-Emmy party. Contemplating the trip, Winters said, "Ethel has been having trouble sleeping for some days. But honest to God, I've been sleeping better the last few days than I have in a long time. I'm not one bit nervous. In fact, I tell myself, 'If you lived through the war, this is absolutely nothing.'"

Ethel, Winters' wife of 54 years, is eager for the trip. "I think it'll be fun," she said. "I'm looking forward to seeing the writers and Tom and the guys at Playtone (the production company) again. They're all real friends." Winters ignored the first invitation by HBO to attend the Emmys. It was only a phone call from Hanks' office that swayed him. "They said 'Tom definitely wants you there very much,'" he said.

Winters suggested the idea of "Band of Brothers" to Ambrose while the author was interviewing him for his earlier book, "D-Day: The Climactic Battle of World War II. "At the time, Winters said, neither man expected the book's immense success nor foresaw the highly acclaimed miniseries. Winters also never anticipated the influence the E Company saga would have on people around the world who have written to him and his comrades. He recently got a letter from a boy in China who said the film moved him to tears. "You give the deepest impression to me," Wang Hoa wrote in halting English. "So I write to show you my respect." "Getting letters like this keeps reminding me of the impact this story has on the younger generation," Winters said. "It's great."