Before his death, Shifty Powers would wait in the airport as soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan would come through and he would welcome them home. My brother, a sniper, broke down and cried as Shifty shook his hand and said "You did good, son. You lived. Now stay alive." Only those who have lived through war know the fight doesn't end when you come home.
He would occasionally stop by WWII reinactments as well. After he spent some time admiring someone's Garand, the reinactors got together with the Civilian Marksmanship Program and restored an M1 for Shifty with all the proper badging, etc. The parts of the serial number Shifty could remember even matched.
Your brother is a true warrior I send good fortune to your family and i must ask that you tell them that I say thank you for performing a task that not any can take and that their lives are tales in halls of warriors in the cosmos
Shifty power’s retrospective about the German soldiers is one of the most thoughtful insights I have ever heard. ‘Under different circumstances, we might have been good friends’
I have travelled to Germany often, several times a year now. My grandfather fought in WW2 in the Black Watch, in France 1940, North Africa, Sicily and Italy. I was very dubious about going there but when I did I found out they were just people like us. No different. Just people, and damn nice people too. Great sense of humour and friendship. How can it be that we who otherwise have so much in common, slaughter each other at the demands of government. How can this be right?
Same here. I wish that I could meet some of these men and have a beer with them or something. I don't even drink and I wish I could have a beer with these men.
If you study this war outside the the traditional particulars, you'd be amazed, shocked, and horrified at some of the stories that came out of this war.
Getting caught prisoner by the Japanese was a slow and torturous death. When the SS caught you alive, they would shot you on the spot if caught alive. The SS did not take prisoners. Intentional starvation was also the state of the art in WWII.
That always gets me. At the end of the series they show what happened to them. One guy became a mailman, another went back to driving his cab. Just ordinary occupations and people looking at them later would never realize what heroes they were or how they helped save the world.
Shifty was my cousin (though I called him uncle since he was so much older) and, for most of my life, was just a good old country boy. I knew he was a veteran, just like my grandpa, but neither really talked much about their experience. I remember after this show came out, though, that one time I asked him how he could talk so frankly about all this without getting emotional because my grandpa, who died when I was 10, was in tank salvage and couldn't talk about it at all. I'd always thought of it as a mundane job but Shifty told me about the one time they'd discussed the war and explained how, though there was a lot of awful times, there were a lot of good times too and he often could avoid seeing some of the truly awful stuff. Then he reminded me of something I'd never thought of: "Those tanks he recovered... they didn't go out empty, and they didn't come back empty." I rolled it around in my head for a while and when I realized what he meant it was the first time I realized that no one had a mundane job in that war. They're all heroes because they all had to live through the same nightmare.
I like to watch this compilation every so often to remind myself to push on through what I see as difficult circumstances in my life, as they're nothing compared to what these men went through.
+Richard Johnson Yes through the hell that is war true compassion and strength is imparted with honest and simple truths. Bless these men may we never forget their sacrifice.
It just drives me crazy that everyone misquotes Winters. It's so much more meaningful when you know it wasn't him talking to his grandson. He's quoting his comrade calling everyone heros and Dick getting teared up about it.
@@XJapanGonnaGiveItToYa-cd4xj Yep, Sgt. Mike Ranney, who was played by Stephen Graham in the series. He only appears significantly in the first two episodes. He's one of the officers that mutinies against Sobel and for that, he was busted back to private.
Can we all just take a moment and consider how well the actor who played Guarnere, Frank John Hughes, captured his mannerisms. I was in no doubt from the moment I saw the real Guarnere as to who he was, because Frank Hughes (and the casting crew) did such a fine job.
Absolutely, 100%. When I watched BoB the first time, I pegged Gaurnere instantly. I got Malarkey right as well. The rest I had to wait until the end of the series to connect the real life man to the actor who portrayed him. But you are right, Guarnere was perfectly cast, and the actor played him superbly.
I think the fact that most of the actors in this miniseries were relatively unknown added to the realism. It made us concentrate more on the character than the actor. Personally I think every actor did an amazing job. I mean, you have to think about it, but even fairly unimportant scenes like Perconte chewing out O'Keefe in the machine gun position were extremely fine acting efforts.
I have the same feeling. I don't get tired of watching BoB neither these veterans talking about their thoughts and every time I feel how tough the war experience impacted them. Respect from Brazil.
I've heard Dick Winters say that last line "Grandpa were you a hero in the war" 100 times. I still get tears. Regular men, who did extraordinary experiences. They are all true heros.
I love Shifty. "Under different circumstances we might have been good friends." It's terrible how all these men were forced into war, you can see in Shifty's personality that he would never want to fight otherwise.
@@dalesfailssagaofasuslord783 this so called regular man's view seem to not care about 6 million jewish people, around 28 million Russians, who were deemed inferior to Germans and "had to be cleansed" as an excuse for Barbarossa, 150,000~800,000 Romas also wiped out, well over 100,000 lgbt individuals who were jailed for their god-given nature, of which at least 6,000 perished. WW2 was no Vietnam, Gulf, or Iraq nor Afghanistan. Americans had a damn good reason to jump in. It wasn't a regular war that was caused by regular people. It was putting a rabid dog down. Unfortunately the overwhelmingly white veterans of this series from 1940s US of A can only provide their little two cents on the bigger picture as they fought fellow white men. We can look at things better than them.
There's a story recounted in Ambrose's book that Shifty was on watch one morning in Bastogne, looking out across the distant forest to where the Germans were encamped, and he remarked to his CO that there was tree there that hadn't been there the day before. The "tree" was later discovered to be a camouflaged artillery piece and was subsequently targeted and destroyed. Just imagine that. You're in Bastogne, in the forest, trees all around for miles in every direction, and you notice that *one* of those thousands and thousands of trees just doesn't look right. That's almost superhuman. But never in a million years would Shifty have said his abilities were in any way exceptional. To him he was just doing his job as best he could. Even when his sharpshooting was praised in the show, his reply was, "No, No, I'm not a good shot. Now Dad, he was an excellent shot - excellent, I declare. He could shoot the wings off a fly!" Staff Sgt. Darrell C. "Shifty" Powers (1923 - 2009). Always humble, a true soldier till the very end.
My Papa was in the Marine Corp. during World War Two. A Navajo Code Talkers. He never said anything about the time he served. I knew he was in the war, I never knew he was a Navajo Code Talker. He always said he made a promise to the US to never break that oath. He was a very humble person. Didn't go "show boat". To the day he died, never broke his oath. Just his belief his word is promise. My Papa died 2 weeks before he was honored with the Congressional Metal of Honor. My Papa, Calvin Holiday, USMC, WW2, Navajo Code Talker, Monument Valley, Utah.
There is no medal of honor recipients named Calvin Holiday, not according to the database for such soldiers. Edit -I did find his obituary stating he was a navajo code talker, and a social worker. The man lived an extremely honorable life!
@theghost4729 It's not a matter of what she spelled. The medal of honor has an official website, with every single recipient listed and searchable; her grandfather never recieved it. God bless his service, but he did not recieve this award and her claiming he did is wrong.
The Younger German who he had killed, The Boy. (I just forgot the day and the name of the episode but the one where he got sent to paris) That had haunted him, he didnt want to but he had to cause that kid would’ve killed him, or the other germans would have. 😕
I am german and today I am thankful for all the stories my grandfather told me on every sundays lunch. I will tell them my children and they will tell it their. this special generation will never be forgotten.
Reinemache frau Yes they are a generation to be cherished. Going to war for your country takes a lot of bravery, no matter what country you are from. American, German, Russian, British, and others should all be respected for what they went through
Look at the Germans of today, amazing as your ancestors. The modern Japanese as well. We need to start learning about evolving properly over here in our fledglin society here in the USA, or face what you folks transcended to come back to humanity & live in peace.
I have German decent in me. My grandfather came from Prussia, when it was a country. He spoke German, my dad can still speak it, somewhat. My uncle, ( my dad's brother) severed in WWII. Briefly in Europe and then in the pacific. He would never talk about the war. Rumors were that he was in hand to hand combat in the pacific. You can't get much personal than THAT. I Can understand why a person wouldn't want to talk about these experiences.
Back when Officers had to earn respect and was acknowledge as leader. Today, just like Major Winters said, you saluted the rank not the man (most of the time)
I agree Stephan and find those thumbs down at the beginning highly offensive. Those men's lives mattered to most of us. The other view makes no sense at all.
@@bassboye8959 I am with you on that one. My father was in the Merchant Navy during the war. He served in the Arctic convoys going from Britain up to Murmansk and Archangel in Russia. He rarely spoke about it, only when I used to ask him questions. The conditions sounded so grim but he just said, we had a job to do. I could not begin to imagine it.
The greatest generation. My great uncle, the gentlest man you'll ever meet, after thanksgiving dinner two years ago detailed to me and my father the things that keep him awake tonight. "I still see their faces, John" after telling him I wanted to be a marine as well. A man who I have a photograph of weeping with joy when he held me as an infant, took the lives of men, half a world away. I feel so sorry that he had to go through that, and I am forever thankful and in debt to him.
God bless you young man (or woman.) In my family two served in the ETO and one in the Pacific. One served in Korea, and my brother served aboard a ship near Vietnam.
My Grandfather served in the Army in WWII, he was assigned to the corps of engineers. His first battles were in Africa, then Italy and then Normandy on the 2nd day. He never talked about it, until I signed up for the Marines. Then he pulled me aside and told me many of the things heard in these interviews. He spoke about the danger, the death, the sounds, smells and all kinds of things. Once I got back from Boot Camp, he opened up and told me about some of the battles and places he had been. It seemed so unreal I wasn't sure if he was being truthful. Until his death, when in his obituary it listed everyplace he had talked about. Band of Brothers helped shed light on what a generation of people, flawed and human as they were, who gave all they had to defend others! There's no amount of thanks that would suffice and not enough room to hold how proud I was of my Grandfather. If we only had those men of honor and integrity leading us now!
Well said! My dad was one of 508th pir H co. He was 29 when he enlisted and the old man of the company. He passed away in 2000. RIP soldiers and sailors.
I hope your grandfather felt a drastic relief of wright off his shoulders when he told you those stories. I know im only reading a comment. But something tells me you might be the first person he ever told them to...
"I had a lot of trouble in later life. Because those events would come back, and...and you never forget 'em." That part always tears me right to shreds. The pain in his voice is just something else.
I heard of a guy that endured an intense mortar barrage. Said that only once he began to transition back to civilization did he begin to feel the affects of PTSD.
These legends deserve a whole lot more respect than what they receive. It sucks that many people will probably never know they even existed. But I know I won't forget them.
+Robert Delich yes , and its men like this we need again because this country is in dire straits. and these men would be the first to tell you they wouldn't fight in these garbage wars we fight today we fight not for freedom, but for profit.
"I cherish the memory of a question my grandson said when he asked me the other day. He said to me: Grandpa? Where you a hero of the war? Grandpa said: No... But I served in a *company of heroes.*" You have no idea how near heart that was for me, but I still cried at that. My great grandfather said the same thing, but a different one when I asked him the same question. He said: I am, but I'm not the only one.
I think you're right. I think one reason why WW2 history, movies, videogames, etc remains so popular with young men is because they view it as the last real war that was worth fighting. The Nazis and Japanese were terrifying, worthy foes who were trying to take over the world. Fighting them meant fighting for freedom and democracy, not for governmental or business interests. Being a young man myself, I study WW2 and constantly obsess over what I would have done and how I would have acted. I know that war is terrible and I would never wish combat upon anyone, but I do think that, deep down, I long to be challenged and to test myself against a true, terrifying enemy, and to prove myself and my honor. In a strange, perverse way, I almost think a real crisis like WW2 would be good for our young generation, for the reasons I mentioned above, not the actual trauma that comes with war. We've become soft and entitled and forgotten what it means to sacrifice and defend value. I think that, if provoked in an hour of need, this would change quickly and many young people, myseld included, would rise up willingly to "do what needed to be done". Fortunately and unfortunately, that need may never rise again and instead we'll have more and more wars of nihilism and money.
Greatest generation. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, around 496,777 American veterans from the war were estimated to still be alive in September 2018. Take the time to thank a veteran today.
Yes Sean, all of them. We still have great service people. Always will. It's the one thing most American's hands down agree on. Honor our veterans & their family's. I'm not a veteran but I love of of them & deeply grateful we have them. We need to take better care & concern for them ALL!!
@@okdb4173 yea but its spending money right? they give food clothes and home and you get Euros no? so 700 euros is like 1000 dollars so its a lot closer than you think
You think you're a "tough guy"? Watch this, and swallow your bubblegum. This generation amazes me. Their bravery. Their resolve. Their loyalty. The way they speak. They ARE America to me. They command the fullest respect just by silently reflecting on the sheer horror they not only made it through, but in so helped seal the destiny we've enjoyed the last 80 years. How can you not stretch to imagine the thoughts going on behind these eyes when watching them pause and reflect. You can see the pain replaying over and over. I would do anything for any one of these men.
Your Granddaddy was a hell of a man. He got shot in the rear end I believe? He started that E.Co. tradition, and by God did they carry it on. Thank you for your service Mr. Wynn.
They way you repay their sacrifice is you take their place on “the line”. Freedom is so fragile it requires an unmeasurable amount of commitment & courage to defend it. It is a thankless job. Only 3% of the population, initially, fought the revolutionary war with England.
I don’t know why but it really affects me emotionally when I see the older veterans struggling to stop themselves from crying. I could listen to their stories all day long. ❤️ I wish we were taught about their heroics at school. We could learn a lot from them
I had tears in my eyes at the ending when his grandson asked "Grandpa were you ever a hero in a war?" "Grandpa said no but I served in a company of heroes" To the band of brothers, 101st airborne and all the veterans we thank you for serving our country
I’m in awe of how these guys were able to live full lives after the war. I can only imagine the sense of peace and tranquility they all felt towards the twilight of their lives. These gentlemen are immortal. Bravo.
I met him and babe heffron while I was a recruiter in Pennsylvania. They were cool and they loved me because I deployed to Iraq 3 times with the 101st. Got to dive him around and hung out in his apartment for a few hours.
Maybe once or twice a year I will watch this interview. And still to this day it makes tears come to my eyes every time. Every school child in America should be required to watch this to know that their freedom isn't free.
Same here. I just finished the dvd series about a month ago and its damn hard to get thru, I watch it about once every two years. I come here to listen to these men speak and it just humbles me all to hell.
Not just in America, but also at least in countries that were liberated by these Men. Their sacrifices are too often and too easily forgotten. To say thank you to them will never be enough.
This is one of the best recollections of WW2 put on video. They were all just normal guys from different parts of the country who passed the training and went on to experience combat, like hundreds of thousands of other guys. I'm glad they were able to talk to us in these little vignettes. Most, if not all are gone now, and their life experiences are gone with them.
We are blessed to have these words and videos of our WWII veterans. From a generational perspective, these are our Civil War veteran's today. Despite our differences, our country would not be what it is to this day without our military veterans and those who have gone before us. Each of us grow old, but we all should recognize the wisdom of those who have lived before us, whether military or not. Band of Brothers is quite an exact and appropriate name for the relationship these men have/had. We should all be proud and honored to hear the stories of all these men. From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be rememberèd- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, We cannot, and should not, forget the service of those who have gone before us to secure our lives today.
These men were true Heroes and it's difficult not to cry, watching this video. Last week, I went again to Normandy to mourn and pray for them. We are free thanks to the courage and sacrifice of all this young boys. We will never forget... Olivier, France
These men are just amazing human beings. It is hard to say or put into words how much I respect all of them. I live very close to Toccoa and have been to the top several times and try to think back of who these men were and it literally takes my breathe away. In awe…RIP with your Brothers.
I find it interesting that a lot of these men who survived lived very long lives after the war. Almost as though they were given some extra time for all the sacrifice they went through. Of course it could also be the fact that after that time in hell, they all chose very peaceful, stress free existences after the war.
My grandpa was tanker with the 14th Armor Division (Liberators) and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His tank was hit by a German main gun tank round. Of the 4 man crewmen, my Grandpa and one other guy made it out badly burned, the other two died in the tank. Although he was never the same person after the war, he did live a good live. Married, four kids and a ton of grandkids. He passed away Feb. 1999.
Amazing, amazing group of individuals. Who were the reason we won this war. I just wished my grandfather would've been alive to have seen this series. But, I digress he more then likely said. Why do I need to see it when I lived it.
I would have given Almost Anything to have gotten to meet Any One of those men and it breaks my heart that I will never get to- That was a group and a generation of men that was/is unlike any other- And to the person that posted this video, Thank You- I’ve watched Band of Brothers at least 10 times- But I Truly Enjoy listening to these Great Men.
11:00 has to be my favorite section of the video. Simply because of how wise some of these men’s words were. “We thought the Germans were the most evil people in the world. But as time when on we realized it wasn’t the Germans persay.” They realized the Germans had a job to do the same as them and under different circumstances they may have been good friends together. These people truly were the greatest generation. Bless them all from now until eternity. ❤️
My dad was in the invasion of Guadalcanal, invasion and liberation of the Philippines and invasion of several Solomon Islands. Saw death in the jungles for three years. Came back a totally different man. Suffered PTSD all his life. Became an alcoholic to drown out bad experiences. Died on 1990 age 74. Hardly ever spoke about the war with the Japanese. Rest in Peace dad. You came back. Thousands didn't. I am free in America because of your sacrifices and those that did not come back.
Regardless of the fact im British....I feel i have to say this....To every single person who has served there country German,Russian,American,Canadian,French anybody...It takes guts to go to war regardless of the politics or the opinions on what is good or bad for the grunt of an army they are the bravest men...If there is any sort of afterlife i'd like to shake every single man and woman's hand who died serving there country in it. Godspeed you brave courageous beautiful people.
I’m sorry, I’m British but a.i. Abs shut the fuck up. He was saying that he respected everybody who fought and you say that. Show some fucking respect. What the fuck is wrong with you. Without those men from Africa the allies may have lost the war but according to you the nazis should have won so those African men didn’t have to fight😒🖕
@A.I Abs Stop being an ignorant twat you fucking dickhead, his post said 'anybody, which includes the people you mentioned. So the next time you write a post by calling someone a bastard in your opening gambit (particularly someone being gracious), I suggest you think twice before typing.
I’ve been in the service twenty years with multiple tours but I take my kids to the Veterans home for holidays every year hoping that visiting with old guys like this has some impact on them. If you got young ones do it. There’s not a lot of these heroes left these days and it brightens their day. And to see my boys in awe in their presence is an amazing thing. Not to mention the smiles it brings to faces of these great men.
I worked with a man, Ted Dangles, who was close to 90 years old and had been in the Yankee Division as a kid. Believe it not not, he was a runner at the Chicago Board of Trade at the age of 90 and was no shrinking violet. He was still tough as nails and fit. There are 3 points I recall. He said the movies are not accurate with soldiers out in the open. He never saw the enemy. Anyone seen would be dead in a flash. Everyone was "hunkered down" in his words. Next, I asked if he thought we would win the war and he said there was no doubt. The amount of material we had was enormous. Lastly, I asked him if he thought he would get hurt or die.... he was hit by shrapnel and had a purple heart. Without hesitation, he said none of them ever thought they would survive. We talked a lot.
These guys do not class themselves as hero's when indeed they are . These are "Hero's " kids should be looking up to not these so called realty TV stars. Thank you for the sacrifice you was prepared to make and the ultimate sacrifice so many did make so we could continue to enjoy the freedom we enjoy today. God bless you all.
The pain in their voices and eyes gets me every time. Aside from them losing their friends, I can only imagine what they saw and experienced and to have to deal with that the rest of their lives. To those that have served and to those that have given the ultimate sacrifice, I will always be appreciative of you and be thankful for you.
Today less than 1% of Americans have military experience; 15 million served in WW2. When I was a boy (born 1950) the country was full of vets; my family alone had 3 of them plus a Korean War vet. A neighbor across the street was a WWI vet. There are many heroes from Vietnam and the Gulf wars that never got the credit they deserved.
@@MegaLJ3 I am a vet also but the reason they are revered more than today's soldiers is because we were attacked and our freedoms in danger back then. Our freedoms are still in danger now and we weren't attacked by anyone OUTSIDE of the U.S.!
I am sorry but I see bad stories about Iraq for example, shoot what moves. There were war criminals. How can you shoot with your bradley or apache into houses with civilians with hellfires. Something has changed very badly. No excuse for that.
My grandpa Lou was a radio operator/gunner on a flying fortress. He was fortunate to make it home, all be it barely. When I see these kinds of videos, I cant help but immediately think of him and the things he and those other warriors went through and had to endure, and it brings me too tears. At 38 years old, I can only pray I wind up half the man he was. But even if I don't, I made a promise to myself that I would tell his story so that the legacy of the greatest generation to have ever walked this earth will live on forever. They were and are giants. God bless you men.
We will probably never see the likes of these men again , they were something special and without their dedication and their comrades sacrifices, we would not be able to live our lives in freedom. We are humbled in their Prescence. Babe Heffron summed it up exactly, "The real hero's are buried over there!"
It is truly sad that most if not all at this point of these men have passed on now. The stories, their bravery, the real first hand accounts of what they were doing out there in WWII have gone with them. I am truly thankful that videos like this exist so their stories, bravery, selflessness and honor can be remembered forever. I am forever grateful for these men, and all of the men who fought along side them. I will always remember them.
I rescue dogs from shelters .My 101st rescue was a Golden Retriever that I named 'Major Dick Winters'. I adopted him and he died in my arms ,5/1/2021. It was respect.
Its scary watching these interviews and realising that most if not all of these men have now died. I'm 36 and i still have massive respect for what these guys did when times were dark. I'm so glad that Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and company got all of these memories on film so they can never be forgotten. My Grand dad served for 5 years in the British Army (Desert Rats) during the second world war, he came out of it alive after being in many theatres of conflict. Sadly cancer took him away before i was born so i never got chance to listen to his stories about the war. These guys were true hero's and should never be forgotten.
How can you not like this...,??? History from the true historians. The men from the 506th 101st Airborne. These men tell the story of the spoken/unspoken Americans. God bless you all...
These interviews and that miniseries should be mandatory in all public high schools in this country. The sacrifices these men and countless others have given for this country should never be forgotten and should be immortalized and taught to the youth of this country. Freedom is most definitely not Free and ordinary people can do extraordinary things
The last 3 minutes out tears in my eyes... there will never be a generation like this. In today’s time Americans take freedom for granted. These guys didn’t fight what American is today.
What a group of humble and incredible men, that scene at the end with Dick Winters gets me every time! His memoirs are also amazing! I’m about to hang the uniform up after 28 years and I’m so honored to have served knowing the legacy these Warriors created!
I watched this on HBO when it came out in 2001. Loved it. Even now as a veteran myself I have so much respect for these men. I watch it probably once every year or so all the way through. Love it every time.
A conversation with men in this situation is an honour few people have the opportunity to enjoy. If you ever have the opportunity to talk to a WWII veteran, dont just outright ask them about the war. Comment on the weather and and then just wait. These years were such a massive part of their lives that it will eventually come up. I used to do IT work for an RAF pilot and I can attest that he lived a truly amazing life. They don't call these people "the greatest generation" for no reason.
Man this brings me to tears. Were you a hero in the war? "Grandpa said no, but I served in the company of heros" Major Winters was one of a kind. So incredibly strong mentally. I really felt that. No. Sir. You were a hero. You did your duty and you took care of your men. I salute you. RIP -From Ireland
I watched the BoB about 10 years ago, now I’m watching the series again. I have such respect for these men. I’m a retired Funeral Director. Through the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s through 2018. I worked in funeral business servings 100’s of veterans and families. Helped Veterans groups VFW, American Legion groups. Met hundreds of wonderful veterans. Having been to National Cemeteries 100’s of times. We owe so much to our Veterans and the freedoms we have in our United States. And the veterans family who also sacrificed the losses. My great uncle was KIA in Italy, January 1944. I have pictures of my (Gold Star) great grandmother at his cemetery burial services, with the full military honors. May they all Rest in peace.
Major winters always gets me, he looks like somebody's grandpa just a kind gentle man and to think what he led his men through, the things that he had to see and do to keep those men alive. And the amount of fighting that all of these men not just Winters but every one of these men went through to just come home and be Grandpa and be a part of normal society is amazing
Veteran's Day Nov. 11 2018. From one vet to those who came before. You are remembered and respected. These words can never be adequate, but... Thank you.
How can 23 people dislike this... what did you dislike it because it made you sad? Just hate war? Hate america? Whatever the reason, these men experienced hell so that a world wouldn't be taken over by fascism. They made the ultimate sacrifice ... even the ones that survived ... those experiences are engraved in their minds forever.
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Before his death, Shifty Powers would wait in the airport as soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan would come through and he would welcome them home. My brother, a sniper, broke down and cried as Shifty shook his hand and said "You did good, son. You lived. Now stay alive." Only those who have lived through war know the fight doesn't end when you come home.
He would occasionally stop by WWII reinactments as well. After he spent some time admiring someone's Garand, the reinactors got together with the Civilian Marksmanship Program and restored an M1 for Shifty with all the proper badging, etc. The parts of the serial number Shifty could remember even matched.
Men of Honor Respecting the Brotherhood of War. Civilians will NEVER get it! RIP Shifty.
Darn, you couldnt write a story so special. I find it all very humbling.
Goddamn that tore me up. What a beautiful story
Your brother is a true warrior I send good fortune to your family and i must ask that you tell them that I say thank you for performing a task that not any can take and that their lives are tales in halls of warriors in the cosmos
Shifty power’s retrospective about the German soldiers is one of the most thoughtful insights I have ever heard.
‘Under different circumstances, we might have been good friends’
i wish humanity had learned this lesson in the 20th century and figured out how to make those circumstances be more likely than they are today
@@nabinnyc that will never happen sadly
I have travelled to Germany often, several times a year now. My grandfather fought in WW2 in the Black Watch, in France 1940, North Africa, Sicily and Italy. I was very dubious about going there but when I did I found out they were just people like us. No different. Just people, and damn nice people too. Great sense of humour and friendship. How can it be that we who otherwise have so much in common, slaughter each other at the demands of government. How can this be right?
@@gaudd that’s humanity in a nutshell
Every time I see and hear him saying that I think its is one of the most genuine narratives of that time. God bless these men.
"Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?"
"Grandpa said no....... but I served in a company of heroes"
That gets me every time...
Same here. I wish that I could meet some of these men and have a beer with them or something. I don't even drink and I wish I could have a beer with these men.
If you study this war outside the the traditional particulars, you'd be amazed, shocked, and horrified at some of the stories that came out of this war.
Robert Delich
Such as?
Getting caught prisoner by the Japanese was a slow and torturous death. When the SS caught you alive, they would shot you on the spot if caught alive. The SS did not take prisoners. Intentional starvation was also the state of the art in WWII.
Robert Delich
... what the fuck?
When you see them crying it breaks my heart...
Captain Crazy Every time
Guess its time to rewatch the series again.
Unlike today who cry for the stupidest reasons.
yah, quite an impression. It humbles me they are all angels
every time.
The thing that made these men great is that they weren't great. They were just normal people living their lives who rose to the challenge.
That always gets me. At the end of the series they show what happened to them. One guy became a mailman, another went back to driving his cab. Just ordinary occupations and people looking at them later would never realize what heroes they were or how they helped save the world.
ruclips.net/video/2KESjF-W79Y/видео.html
Tyler Livingston ...and they were great!
And i hope there are men still like this to help fight the enemy from within, and we all know who they are.
Shifty was my cousin (though I called him uncle since he was so much older) and, for most of my life, was just a good old country boy. I knew he was a veteran, just like my grandpa, but neither really talked much about their experience.
I remember after this show came out, though, that one time I asked him how he could talk so frankly about all this without getting emotional because my grandpa, who died when I was 10, was in tank salvage and couldn't talk about it at all. I'd always thought of it as a mundane job but Shifty told me about the one time they'd discussed the war and explained how, though there was a lot of awful times, there were a lot of good times too and he often could avoid seeing some of the truly awful stuff. Then he reminded me of something I'd never thought of: "Those tanks he recovered... they didn't go out empty, and they didn't come back empty."
I rolled it around in my head for a while and when I realized what he meant it was the first time I realized that no one had a mundane job in that war. They're all heroes because they all had to live through the same nightmare.
I like to watch this compilation every so often to remind myself to push on through what I see as difficult circumstances in my life, as they're nothing compared to what these men went through.
+Richard Johnson Yes through the hell that is war true compassion and strength is imparted with honest and simple truths. Bless these men may we never forget their sacrifice.
Soldiers don't die , they just fades away ..
Me too.
Richard Johnson I watch it every Remembrance Day from start to finish
Richard Johnson
“Those events come back...and you never forget em..” That crushed me
As it should have👌
“But I served in a company of heroes.” Gives me chills every time.
that had me emotional when he said that. damn near almost shed a tear.
It just drives me crazy that everyone misquotes Winters. It's so much more meaningful when you know it wasn't him talking to his grandson. He's quoting his comrade calling everyone heros and Dick getting teared up about it.
@@XJapanGonnaGiveItToYa-cd4xj Yep, Sgt. Mike Ranney, who was played by Stephen Graham in the series. He only appears significantly in the first two episodes. He's one of the officers that mutinies against Sobel and for that, he was busted back to private.
Sunday, March 9th 2014. We lost another great warrior today. RIP Bill "Wild Bill" Guarnere. God Speed Soldier. Thank god for giving us men like these.
Can we all just take a moment and consider how well the actor who played Guarnere, Frank John Hughes, captured his mannerisms. I was in no doubt from the moment I saw the real Guarnere as to who he was, because Frank Hughes (and the casting crew) did such a fine job.
Yes. The whole cast was really good, but Hughes WAS Guarnere. Love this series.
Absolutely, 100%. When I watched BoB the first time, I pegged Gaurnere instantly. I got Malarkey right as well. The rest I had to wait until the end of the series to connect the real life man to the actor who portrayed him. But you are right, Guarnere was perfectly cast, and the actor played him superbly.
I'm re-watching the series right now and always think this!
I was astounded when I heard Guarnere speak. I just knew who it was and Frank John Hughes captured his voice and inflections flawlessly.
I think the fact that most of the actors in this miniseries were relatively unknown added to the realism. It made us concentrate more on the character than the actor. Personally I think every actor did an amazing job. I mean, you have to think about it, but even fairly unimportant scenes like Perconte chewing out O'Keefe in the machine gun position were extremely fine acting efforts.
You can look into their eyes and just tell that they have seen things that no person should see.
FaithEdits thats what you call "Drop a thousand yard stare". These people suffered from PTSD.
Yes I know.
I have the same feeling.
I don't get tired of watching BoB neither these veterans talking about their thoughts and every time I feel how tough the war experience impacted them.
Respect from Brazil.
faith: Nor adequately explain to those who weren't there........
It's Malarkey saying he didn't want to see Muck what gets me.
I've heard Dick Winters say that last line "Grandpa were you a hero in the war" 100 times. I still get tears. Regular men, who did extraordinary experiences. They are all true heros.
For me is a leader. 👊😎
I love Shifty.
"Under different circumstances we might have been good friends."
It's terrible how all these men were forced into war, you can see in Shifty's personality that he would never want to fight otherwise.
He’s a legend. Looks at war with such a regular mans view.
@@dalesfailssagaofasuslord783 this so called regular man's view seem to not care about 6 million jewish people, around 28 million Russians, who were deemed inferior to Germans and "had to be cleansed" as an excuse for Barbarossa, 150,000~800,000 Romas also wiped out, well over 100,000 lgbt individuals who were jailed for their god-given nature, of which at least 6,000 perished. WW2 was no Vietnam, Gulf, or Iraq nor Afghanistan. Americans had a damn good reason to jump in. It wasn't a regular war that was caused by regular people. It was putting a rabid dog down. Unfortunately the overwhelmingly white veterans of this series from 1940s US of A can only provide their little two cents on the bigger picture as they fought fellow white men. We can look at things better than them.
There's a story recounted in Ambrose's book that Shifty was on watch one morning in Bastogne, looking out across the distant forest to where the Germans were encamped, and he remarked to his CO that there was tree there that hadn't been there the day before. The "tree" was later discovered to be a camouflaged artillery piece and was subsequently targeted and destroyed. Just imagine that. You're in Bastogne, in the forest, trees all around for miles in every direction, and you notice that *one* of those thousands and thousands of trees just doesn't look right. That's almost superhuman.
But never in a million years would Shifty have said his abilities were in any way exceptional. To him he was just doing his job as best he could. Even when his sharpshooting was praised in the show, his reply was, "No, No, I'm not a good shot. Now Dad, he was an excellent shot - excellent, I declare. He could shoot the wings off a fly!"
Staff Sgt. Darrell C. "Shifty" Powers (1923 - 2009). Always humble, a true soldier till the very end.
The last member of Easy Company passed away. RIP Brad Freeman. You're with your brothers now.
My Papa was in the Marine Corp. during World War Two. A Navajo Code Talkers. He never said anything about the time he served. I knew he was in the war, I never knew he was a Navajo Code Talker. He always said he made a promise to the US to never break that oath. He was a very humble person. Didn't go "show boat".
To the day he died, never broke his oath. Just his belief his word is promise. My Papa died 2 weeks before he was honored with the Congressional Metal of Honor.
My Papa, Calvin Holiday, USMC, WW2, Navajo Code Talker, Monument Valley, Utah.
So thankful for your father's Service to our Country! May he rest in peace. ❤🙏🇺🇸
There is no medal of honor recipients named Calvin Holiday, not according to the database for such soldiers.
Edit -I did find his obituary stating he was a navajo code talker, and a social worker. The man lived an extremely honorable life!
That's because she spelled it "metal" go research that since you got nothing better to do, but troll!@@Bilow_Selhi
@theghost4729 It's not a matter of what she spelled. The medal of honor has an official website, with every single recipient listed and searchable; her grandfather never recieved it. God bless his service, but he did not recieve this award and her claiming he did is wrong.
The pain in Malarkey's voice gets to me every time.
Martin's as well
No doubt
Don was, as far as I know, the last original Easy man to die, in 2017!
Dick Winters had such incredibly sad eyes...
Joshua Coward they had seen alot..
The demeanor of a true leader
he looked into the heart of darkness...
Dick Winters was beautiful, inside and out!
The Younger German who he had killed, The Boy. (I just forgot the day and the name of the episode but the one where he got sent to paris) That had haunted him, he didnt want to but he had to cause that kid would’ve killed him, or the other germans would have. 😕
I am german and today I am thankful for all the stories my grandfather told me on every sundays lunch. I will tell them my children and they will tell it their. this special generation will never be forgotten.
Reinemache frau Yes they are a generation to be cherished. Going to war for your country takes a lot of bravery, no matter what country you are from. American, German, Russian, British, and others should all be respected for what they went through
Look at the Germans of today, amazing as your ancestors. The modern Japanese as well. We need to start learning about evolving properly over here in our fledglin society here in the USA, or face what you folks transcended to come back to humanity & live in peace.
I hope your grandfather had a long, happy and fulfilling life
Did your grandfather have resentment for the United States?
I have German decent in me. My grandfather came from Prussia, when it was a country. He spoke German, my dad can still speak it, somewhat. My uncle, ( my dad's brother) severed in WWII. Briefly in Europe and then in the pacific. He would never talk about the war. Rumors were that he was in hand to hand combat in the pacific. You can't get much personal than THAT. I Can understand why a person wouldn't want to talk about these experiences.
Don't know about you guys, but the part where they spoke about Winters' leadership ability got me. "I don't know how he survived... But he did."
Back when Officers had to earn respect and was acknowledge as leader. Today, just like Major Winters said, you saluted the rank not the man (most of the time)
Yeah, that last line always gets me.
3:01 is what always gets me. 55+ years later and you can still hear the pain in his voice... truly the greatest generation
Listening to these Gentlemen just makes you feel so humble and thankful for what you have. God bless them all.
These men are legends and should be treated as such, we will never see their likes again.
I agree Stephan and find those thumbs down at the beginning highly offensive. Those men's lives mattered to most of us. The other view makes no sense at all.
@@bassboye8959 I am with you on that one. My father was in the Merchant Navy during the war. He served in the Arctic convoys going from Britain up to Murmansk and Archangel in Russia. He rarely spoke about it, only when I used to ask him questions. The conditions sounded so grim but he just said, we had a job to do. I could not begin to imagine it.
The greatest generation. My great uncle, the gentlest man you'll ever meet, after thanksgiving dinner two years ago detailed to me and my father the things that keep him awake tonight. "I still see their faces, John" after telling him I wanted to be a marine as well. A man who I have a photograph of weeping with joy when he held me as an infant, took the lives of men, half a world away. I feel so sorry that he had to go through that, and I am forever thankful and in debt to him.
God bless you young man (or woman.) In my family two served in the ETO and one in the Pacific. One served in Korea, and my brother served aboard a ship near Vietnam.
uck TRUMP. His Grandpa was send back to your country by the Germany because of desertion. Coward family
@@MakeSomeNoisePlaylists and where did Obama serve?
Aren't we all.
My Grandfather served in the Army in WWII, he was assigned to the corps of engineers. His first battles were in Africa, then Italy and then Normandy on the 2nd day. He never talked about it, until I signed up for the Marines. Then he pulled me aside and told me many of the things heard in these interviews. He spoke about the danger, the death, the sounds, smells and all kinds of things. Once I got back from Boot Camp, he opened up and told me about some of the battles and places he had been. It seemed so unreal I wasn't sure if he was being truthful. Until his death, when in his obituary it listed everyplace he had talked about. Band of Brothers helped shed light on what a generation of people, flawed and human as they were, who gave all they had to defend others! There's no amount of thanks that would suffice and not enough room to hold how proud I was of my Grandfather. If we only had those men of honor and integrity leading us now!
Well said! My dad was one of 508th pir H co. He was 29 when he enlisted and the old man of the company. He passed away in 2000. RIP soldiers and sailors.
You are a very lucky person to have had him as your grandpa he was a hero
@@JaneA544 Most all of those guys were heroes.
I hope your grandfather felt a drastic relief of wright off his shoulders when he told you those stories.
I know im only reading a comment. But something tells me you might be the first person he ever told them to...
I am sure your grandfather was proud of you, Marine. He shared with you in hopes of helping to keep you alive once you were called to the breech.
"I had a lot of trouble in later life. Because those events would come back, and...and you never forget 'em."
That part always tears me right to shreds. The pain in his voice is just something else.
And today the Internet is full of manosphere incels who would call these men Betas for talking about heir trauma 🤮
I heard of a guy that endured an intense mortar barrage. Said that only once he began to transition back to civilization did he begin to feel the affects of PTSD.
That last bit with Major Winters gets me every time.
These legends deserve a whole lot more respect than what they receive. It sucks that many people will probably never know they even existed. But I know I won't forget them.
Many of the men of Easy who survived just wanted to “get back to normal” as soon as possible. They did not want to be considered heroes.
God bless these men and their undying efforts. It's men like this that made this country free.
Robert Delich Not exactly "free" anymore but yes they did accomplish that goal.
***** sry, everyone would need a loupe to see it
Herry Asu-songko Good one kid. Love original jokes...
+Vic Pownall Sir, with all due respect, different time, different stratgs. You pounded the ground more than you know, we thank all you all
+Robert Delich yes , and its men like this we need again because this country is in dire straits. and these men would be the first to tell you they wouldn't fight in these garbage wars we fight today we fight not for freedom, but for profit.
"I cherish the memory of a question my grandson said when he asked me the other day. He said to me: Grandpa? Where you a hero of the war? Grandpa said: No... But I served in a *company of heroes.*"
You have no idea how near heart that was for me, but I still cried at that.
My great grandfather said the same thing, but a different one when I asked him the same question.
He said: I am, but I'm not the only one.
Four committed suicide 'cause they couldn't go (to WWII). Different time indeed.
You know the name of that Vet/Hero? He speeks on the 1 minute of the video.
Jake Horne what sucks more is some soldiers were drafted
I think you're right. I think one reason why WW2 history, movies, videogames, etc remains so popular with young men is because they view it as the last real war that was worth fighting. The Nazis and Japanese were terrifying, worthy foes who were trying to take over the world. Fighting them meant fighting for freedom and democracy, not for governmental or business interests. Being a young man myself, I study WW2 and constantly obsess over what I would have done and how I would have acted. I know that war is terrible and I would never wish combat upon anyone, but I do think that, deep down, I long to be challenged and to test myself against a true, terrifying enemy, and to prove myself and my honor. In a strange, perverse way, I almost think a real crisis like WW2 would be good for our young generation, for the reasons I mentioned above, not the actual trauma that comes with war. We've become soft and entitled and forgotten what it means to sacrifice and defend value. I think that, if provoked in an hour of need, this would change quickly and many young people, myseld included, would rise up willingly to "do what needed to be done". Fortunately and unfortunately, that need may never rise again and instead we'll have more and more wars of nihilism and money.
roderick g strohl
Almost guarentee no one took a knee in those days. God bless easy company and all the men and women who served during ww2
Greatest generation. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, around 496,777 American veterans from the war were estimated to still be alive in September 2018. Take the time to thank a veteran today.
Yes Sean, all of them. We still have great service people. Always will. It's the one thing most American's hands down agree on. Honor our veterans & their family's. I'm not a veteran but I love of of them & deeply grateful we have them. We need to take better care & concern for them ALL!!
these men deserve so much respect
"But you get paid 50 dollars a month more, so that made it a 100 bucks!" *puts up hand lol
Amazing isn't Rick, 100 buck's!! Can't motivate a nieghbors kid to cut the grass on a small yard for That $. FOR 20 yrs now LMAO.
That's over $1600 dollars today.
@@timwilson3124 which is not even E-1 pay monthly in the military today lol
@@edsalmon6319 Shit you guys pay your soldiers that much? Here in Italy is half unless you are part of the airborne or mountain corp
@@okdb4173 yea but its spending money right? they give food clothes and home and you get Euros no? so 700 euros is like 1000 dollars so its a lot closer than you think
You think you're a "tough guy"? Watch this, and swallow your bubblegum. This generation amazes me. Their bravery. Their resolve. Their loyalty. The way they speak. They ARE America to me. They command the fullest respect just by silently reflecting on the sheer horror they not only made it through, but in so helped seal the destiny we've enjoyed the last 80 years. How can you not stretch to imagine the thoughts going on behind these eyes when watching them pause and reflect. You can see the pain replaying over and over. I would do anything for any one of these men.
My Grandaddy was Popeye. He passed away before the movie was released. I miss him so much.
Sonya Gaspar my friend may I ask did he survive the war
Popeye survived past the war
Your Granddaddy was a hell of a man. He got shot in the rear end I believe? He started that E.Co. tradition, and by God did they carry it on. Thank you for your service Mr. Wynn.
Sonya Gaspar Just know the man was a hero. Countless Americans agree. He will forever be a hero. Period.
Sonya Gaspar AWESOME !
“I did things, I didn't do them for metals or accolades I did em because, they needed to be done.”
let there be lamp that is something you sadly do not hear anymore. Now, it is about money and greed. I wish I was born in a different time.
which veteran said that? they didn't list his name
@@thomast8539his name was Earl McClung. A lot of the guys interviewed were minor characters in the show.
Really grateful for the men who risked it all for our lives today. Canada
I still cannot watch this without tears in my eyes. God bless each and every one of these men. We can never repay your sacrifice!
They way you repay their sacrifice is you take their place on “the line”. Freedom is so fragile it requires an unmeasurable amount of commitment & courage to defend it. It is a thankless job. Only 3% of the population, initially, fought the revolutionary war with England.
On this very anniversary day of D-Day, The moment to listen to those heroes again. De Panne, Belgium
I don’t know why but it really affects me emotionally when I see the older veterans struggling to stop themselves from crying. I could listen to their stories all day long. ❤️ I wish we were taught about their heroics at school. We could learn a lot from them
Why not go and talk to one of today's vets?
Biggest wish ever is to talk to one of these men for a day. Just sit there and listen. So sad that 99% of all ww2 veterans are dead today
Same here.
uck TRUMP. His Grandpa was send back to your country by the Germany because of desertion. Coward family
It's the way of life.
Dad was one of 508th H co 101st Airborne . He hardly ever talk of the war. But he was a great guy.
You can still find them. Airshows and the National WW2 museum still have them visit.
I had tears in my eyes at the ending when his grandson asked "Grandpa were you ever a hero in a war?" "Grandpa said no but I served in a company of heroes"
To the band of brothers, 101st airborne and all the veterans we thank you for serving our country
You're all heroes and will never be forgotten. RIP to all of those lost on D-Day and all who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice!
I’m in awe of how these guys were able to live full lives after the war. I can only imagine the sense of peace and tranquility they all felt towards the twilight of their lives. These gentlemen are immortal. Bravo.
RIP Will "Wild Bill" Guarnere
timthecoolman64 my sister lives not far from the Babe Heffron memorial statue in S Philly ❤️❤️❤️
I have a _Band of Brothers_ poster signed by him. Great series. Great men.
I met him and babe heffron while I was a recruiter in Pennsylvania. They were cool and they loved me because I deployed to Iraq 3 times with the 101st. Got to dive him around and hung out in his apartment for a few hours.
Maybe once or twice a year I will watch this interview. And still to this day it makes tears come to my eyes every time. Every school child in America should be required to watch this to know that their freedom isn't free.
Same here. I just finished the dvd series about a month ago and its damn hard to get thru, I watch it about once every two years. I come here to listen to these men speak and it just humbles me all to hell.
Not just in America, but also at least in countries that were liberated by these Men. Their sacrifices are too often and too easily forgotten. To say thank you to them will never be enough.
This is one of the best recollections of WW2 put on video. They were all just normal guys from different parts of the country who passed the training and went on to experience combat, like hundreds of thousands of other guys. I'm glad they were able to talk to us in these little vignettes. Most, if not all are gone now, and their life experiences are gone with them.
We are blessed to have these words and videos of our WWII veterans. From a generational perspective, these are our Civil War veteran's today. Despite our differences, our country would not be what it is to this day without our military veterans and those who have gone before us. Each of us grow old, but we all should recognize the wisdom of those who have lived before us, whether military or not. Band of Brothers is quite an exact and appropriate name for the relationship these men have/had. We should all be proud and honored to hear the stories of all these men.
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be rememberèd-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
We cannot, and should not, forget the service of those who have gone before us to secure our lives today.
AMEN!
I don't know how many times I've viewed this but it always brings a tear to my eye. A different generation. God bless them.
These men were true Heroes and it's difficult not to cry, watching this video.
Last week, I went again to Normandy to mourn and pray for them.
We are free thanks to the courage and sacrifice of all this young boys.
We will never forget...
Olivier, France
These men are just amazing human beings. It is hard to say or put into words how much I respect all of them. I live very close to Toccoa and have been to the top several times and try to think back of who these men were and it literally takes my breathe away. In awe…RIP with your Brothers.
I find it interesting that a lot of these men who survived lived very long lives after the war. Almost as though they were given some extra time for all the sacrifice they went through. Of course it could also be the fact that after that time in hell, they all chose very peaceful, stress free existences after the war.
My grandpa was tanker with the 14th Armor Division (Liberators) and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His tank was hit by a German main gun tank round. Of the 4 man crewmen, my Grandpa and one other guy made it out badly burned, the other two died in the tank. Although he was never the same person after the war, he did live a good live. Married, four kids and a ton of grandkids. He passed away Feb. 1999.
Does everyone agree when i say that Bastogne is one the best episodes in the series
I loved both epizodes
I like Bastogne and Breaking point also. Crossroads wasn’t bad either.
Amazing, amazing group of individuals. Who were the reason we won this war. I just wished my grandfather would've been alive to have seen this series. But, I digress he more then likely said. Why do I need to see it when I lived it.
Snow warfare, rough.
@@illustrate100 Also, that episode showed me how these guys went into action, with low rations, clothing and ammunition. True heroes.
I would have given Almost Anything to have gotten to meet Any One of those men and it breaks my heart that I will never get to- That was a group and a generation of men that was/is unlike any other- And to the person that posted this video, Thank You- I’ve watched Band of Brothers at least 10 times- But I Truly Enjoy listening to these Great Men.
11:00 has to be my favorite section of the video. Simply because of how wise some of these men’s words were. “We thought the Germans were the most evil people in the world. But as time when on we realized it wasn’t the Germans persay.” They realized the Germans had a job to do the same as them and under different circumstances they may have been good friends together. These people truly were the greatest generation. Bless them all from now until eternity. ❤️
I have been to Bastogne and it was great to see these men are still remembered with a great appreciation for what they did...
My dad was in the invasion of Guadalcanal, invasion and liberation of the Philippines and invasion of several Solomon Islands. Saw death in the jungles for three years. Came back a totally different man. Suffered PTSD all his life. Became an alcoholic to drown out bad experiences. Died on 1990 age 74. Hardly ever spoke about the war with the Japanese. Rest in Peace dad. You came back. Thousands didn't. I am free in America because of your sacrifices and those that did not come back.
Regardless of the fact im British....I feel i have to say this....To every single person who has served there country German,Russian,American,Canadian,French anybody...It takes guts to go to war regardless of the politics or the opinions on what is good or bad for the grunt of an army they are the bravest men...If there is any sort of afterlife i'd like to shake every single man and woman's hand who died serving there country in it. Godspeed you brave courageous beautiful people.
@A.I Abs chill out mate. What is wrong with you. Your looking to bring something up for the sake of it without any reason.
I’m sorry, I’m British but a.i. Abs shut the fuck up. He was saying that he respected everybody who fought and you say that. Show some fucking respect. What the fuck is wrong with you. Without those men from Africa the allies may have lost the war but according to you the nazis should have won so those African men didn’t have to fight😒🖕
@A.I Abs 800,009 seems quite a finite number, are you sure it was this exactly?
@A.I Abs
Stop being an ignorant twat you fucking dickhead, his post said 'anybody, which includes the people you mentioned. So the next time you write a post by calling someone a bastard in your opening gambit (particularly someone being gracious), I suggest you think twice before typing.
I completely agree.
I hope they are all getting along better now, in Heaven. Lord knows they've all earned it...
So incredibly thankful for these men... I speak German, but because I can not because I have to. Respect from Holland.
I’ve been in the service twenty years with multiple tours but I take my kids to the Veterans home for holidays every year hoping that visiting with old guys like this has some impact on them. If you got young ones do it. There’s not a lot of these heroes left these days and it brightens their day. And to see my boys in awe in their presence is an amazing thing. Not to mention the smiles it brings to faces of these great men.
Giants. Every one of them. So grateful for what they represent and their contributions to this great nation.
I worked with a man, Ted Dangles, who was close to 90 years old and had been in the Yankee Division as a kid. Believe it not not, he was a runner at the Chicago Board of Trade at the age of 90 and was no shrinking violet. He was still tough as nails and fit. There are 3 points I recall. He said the movies are not accurate with soldiers out in the open. He never saw the enemy. Anyone seen would be dead in a flash. Everyone was "hunkered down" in his words. Next, I asked if he thought we would win the war and he said there was no doubt. The amount of material we had was enormous. Lastly, I asked him if he thought he would get hurt or die.... he was hit by shrapnel and had a purple heart. Without hesitation, he said none of them ever thought they would survive. We talked a lot.
These guys do not class themselves as hero's when indeed they are . These are "Hero's " kids should be looking up to not these so called realty TV stars. Thank you for the sacrifice you was prepared to make and the ultimate sacrifice so many did make so we could continue to enjoy the freedom we enjoy today. God bless you all.
Amen
The pain in their voices and eyes gets me every time. Aside from them losing their friends, I can only imagine what they saw and experienced and to have to deal with that the rest of their lives. To those that have served and to those that have given the ultimate sacrifice, I will always be appreciative of you and be thankful for you.
I hate it when people say we don't have anymore great soldiers. I served in a company with great officers and excellent NCO's.
We have the same heroes in our wars today. They just aren't appreciated by Congress or the president.
Today less than 1% of Americans have military experience; 15 million served in WW2. When I was a boy (born 1950) the country was full of vets; my family alone had 3 of them plus a Korean War vet. A neighbor across the street was a WWI vet. There are many heroes from Vietnam and the Gulf wars that never got the credit they deserved.
@@MegaLJ3 I am a vet also but the reason they are revered more than today's soldiers is because we were attacked and our freedoms in danger back then. Our freedoms are still in danger now and we weren't attacked by anyone OUTSIDE of the U.S.!
I like to think if it is required of today’s young men, the same type of men still exist and will step forward.
I am sorry but I see bad stories about Iraq for example, shoot what moves. There were war criminals. How can you shoot with your bradley or apache into houses with civilians with hellfires. Something has changed very badly. No excuse for that.
11:30
"Under different circumstances, we might have been good friends."
:(
ThazzThazz shut the fuck up you piece of shit
IIRC that's the theme of a Rupert Brook poem probably applicable to all wars.
My favorite moment by far!
My grandpa Lou was a radio operator/gunner on a flying fortress. He was fortunate to make it home, all be it barely. When I see these kinds of videos, I cant help but immediately think of him and the things he and those other warriors went through and had to endure, and it brings me too tears. At 38 years old, I can only pray I wind up half the man he was. But even if I don't, I made a promise to myself that I would tell his story so that the legacy of the greatest generation to have ever walked this earth will live on forever. They were and are giants. God bless you men.
We will probably never see the likes of these men again , they were something special and without their dedication and their comrades sacrifices, we would not be able to live our lives in freedom. We are humbled in their Prescence. Babe Heffron summed it up exactly, "The real hero's are buried over there!"
Extremely moving. How humble and dignified and gracious they all are. We owe them everything.
What fine men. God blessed us with service men like that. True heroes.
It is truly sad that most if not all at this point of these men have passed on now. The stories, their bravery, the real first hand accounts of what they were doing out there in WWII have gone with them. I am truly thankful that videos like this exist so their stories, bravery, selflessness and honor can be remembered forever. I am forever grateful for these men, and all of the men who fought along side them. I will always remember them.
Thank goodness that we now have the media means to see such great individuals while they were and are still alive.
I rescue dogs from shelters .My 101st rescue was a Golden Retriever that I named 'Major Dick Winters'.
I adopted him and he died in my arms ,5/1/2021. It was respect.
Its scary watching these interviews and realising that most if not all of these men have now died. I'm 36 and i still have massive respect for what these guys did when times were dark. I'm so glad that Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and company got all of these memories on film so they can never be forgotten. My Grand dad served for 5 years in the British Army (Desert Rats) during the second world war, he came out of it alive after being in many theatres of conflict. Sadly cancer took him away before i was born so i never got chance to listen to his stories about the war. These guys were true hero's and should never be forgotten.
I hope this brave man will never been forgotten !!
Greetings from Antwerp
How can you not like this...,??? History from the true historians. The men from the 506th 101st Airborne. These men tell the story of the spoken/unspoken Americans. God bless you all...
Damn man you can hear the pain in their voices when they speak
These interviews and that miniseries should be mandatory in all public high schools in this country. The sacrifices these men and countless others have given for this country should never be forgotten and should be immortalized and taught to the youth of this country. Freedom is most definitely not Free and ordinary people can do extraordinary things
The greatest generation that a society has ever produced. There was none before and there will be none after
An honorable mention to The Lost Generation, the broken souls of the Great War who raised the sons who would become the Greatest Generation
These men are legends and should be treated as such, we will never see their likes again.
they'll probably be another generation like that in the future
B&O5300 hopefully making advances towards a better future and not fighting a world war.
Daily Dose of Euphoria can be but if war does break out we shall fight like they did
I can't help but tear up when I watch this clip. I stand in awe of these men. Heroes all of them.
One former German soldier said "We wouldn't cross the road because those were the Eagle Head Soldiers".
Fine! I'll watch Band of Brothers again...
My great grandfather passed this year. He fought in the pacific. Signed up when he was 17.
The last 3 minutes out tears in my eyes... there will never be a generation like this. In today’s time Americans take freedom for granted. These guys didn’t fight what American is today.
What a group of humble and incredible men, that scene at the end with Dick Winters gets me every time! His memoirs are also amazing! I’m about to hang the uniform up after 28 years and I’m so honored to have served knowing the legacy these Warriors created!
I can't keep a dry while watching this.
Everyone who served is a hero in my books.
I would have loved a conversation with Mr Winters.
I watched this on HBO when it came out in 2001. Loved it. Even now as a veteran myself I have so much respect for these men. I watch it probably once every year or so all the way through. Love it every time.
There will never be another generation like this. Heroes in every sense of the word.
A conversation with men in this situation is an honour few people have the opportunity to enjoy. If you ever have the opportunity to talk to a WWII veteran, dont just outright ask them about the war. Comment on the weather and and then just wait. These years were such a massive part of their lives that it will eventually come up. I used to do IT work for an RAF pilot and I can attest that he lived a truly amazing life. They don't call these people "the greatest generation" for no reason.
These men are legends and should be treated as such, we will never see their likes again.
I had to cry at the end...…...thanks for giving me this moments with real heroes. Jörg from germany
Man this brings me to tears. Were you a hero in the war? "Grandpa said no, but I served in the company of heros" Major Winters was one of a kind. So incredibly strong mentally. I really felt that. No. Sir. You were a hero. You did your duty and you took care of your men. I salute you. RIP -From Ireland
I watched the BoB about 10 years ago, now I’m watching the series again.
I have such respect for these men.
I’m a retired Funeral Director. Through the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s through 2018. I worked in funeral business servings 100’s of veterans and families. Helped Veterans groups VFW, American Legion groups. Met hundreds of wonderful veterans. Having been to National Cemeteries 100’s of times.
We owe so much to our Veterans and the freedoms we have in our United States.
And the veterans family who also sacrificed the losses.
My great uncle was KIA in Italy, January 1944. I have pictures of my (Gold Star) great grandmother at his cemetery burial services, with the full military honors.
May they all Rest in peace.
Major winters always gets me, he looks like somebody's grandpa just a kind gentle man and to think what he led his men through, the things that he had to see and do to keep those men alive. And the amount of fighting that all of these men not just Winters but every one of these men went through to just come home and be Grandpa and be a part of normal society is amazing
What I wouldn't give to meet these heroes, watching these interviews gets me every time
Veteran's Day Nov. 11 2018. From one vet to those who came before. You are remembered and respected. These words can never be adequate, but... Thank you.
That going to bed on a cold night and telling his wife about just being glad he’s not in Bastogne comment always gets me...
I knew a guy who had been in Bastogne and he said something similar
We have our freedom today, because of the brave men and women in our military, God bless them.
My now deceased father in law earned the DSC at the Battle of the Bulge. I hold these guys in highest regard.
The part what make these men so great is the fact they held on to their humanity.
He is my great distant grandfather. I saw all his awards first hand. Literally a great soldier and man. Miss you grandpa!
Which one?
How can 23 people dislike this...
what did you dislike it because it made you sad? Just hate war? Hate america?
Whatever the reason, these men experienced hell so that a world wouldn't be taken over by fascism.
They made the ultimate sacrifice ... even the ones that survived ... those experiences are engraved in their minds forever.