peregrinerose 0 #1 January 10, 2011 Blue Skies http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/01/dick_winters_of_band_of_brothe.html Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base283 0 #2 January 10, 2011 Was he a friend of yours? "A forum where we can post memories and tributes to our friends who stayed for a while and left before us". I dont think he was a skydiver. An outstanding paratrooping soldier, yes. Does this belong here? Just asking. Take care, space Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BobMoore 0 #3 January 10, 2011 In my humble opinion, no, this doesn't belong here. The skydiving community is small and when I see a new posting in this Memory forum my heart stops for a moment. I don't need this for every celebrity and sports hero that passes on. p.s. I think Dick Winters is a fine fellow and I loved Band of Brothers."For you see, an airplane is an airplane. A landing area is a landing area. But a dropzone... a dropzone is the people." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #4 January 10, 2011 If you've ever had the honor of meeting some of the Easy company guys and listen to them speak of their jumps into Normandy and Holland as though they made them yesterday, there would be no doubt in your minds that this belongs here. Dick lived very close to me, we have some mutual friends, I've met about 1/2 dozen of those he jumped with. He was very well respected and liked in this area. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #5 January 10, 2011 QuoteIf you've ever had the honor of meeting some of the Easy company guys and listen to them speak of their jumps into Normandy and Holland as though they made them yesterday, there would be no doubt in your minds that this belongs here. Dick lived very close to me, we have some mutual friends, I've met about 1/2 dozen of those he jumped with. He was very well respected and liked in this area. We had the honor of performing a flag demo jump for a 506th reunion held not long after 'Band of Brothers' originally aired. I was my pleasure and honor to spend a bit of time with the heroes of Easy Company. After speaking with and getting a few logbook signatures from those Veterans, there is no doubt in MY mind that the minor tribute we can pay here is well deserved. If not for Skydivers like Dick Winters, we ALL might be posting in German. Go easy Sir and thank you. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #6 January 10, 2011 QuoteIn my humble opinion, no, this doesn't belong here. The skydiving community is small and when I see a new posting in this Memory forum my heart stops for a moment. I don't need this for every celebrity and sports hero that passes on. p.s. I think Dick Winters is a fine fellow and I loved Band of Brothers. I disagree with you and base283. IMO, this forum need not only be for people in the civilian skydiving community. IMO, without setting it all out at length, I think it's perfectly appropriate to post here in honor of our "cousins" in the military parachuting, and even BASE jumping, communities. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 January 10, 2011 He jumped out of airplanes...he's one of "us". Thank-you for your service, Mr. Winters. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveJack 1 #8 January 10, 2011 Paratroopers like Dick Winters jumped, fought and many died, to protect our gift of freedom to choose our own course in life. Later, many of these men were the early seeds that started to grow into modern skydiving. They are not part of us, we are part of them. They have earned every right to be remembered here! Blue Skies Dick! And thank you to all the men in all the early Allied Airborne units. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #9 January 10, 2011 Quote He jumped out of airplanes...he's one of "us". Thank-you for your service, Mr. Winters. He jumped in the dark, below a grand, carrying over 100 lbs of extra gear, with flak shells and tracer fire aimed at him. Under a little 28 ft. round canopy made of silk. Blue skies forever Major Winters, you've earned it. We can live the way we do because of you and many others who never even lived through that night. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airathanas 0 #10 January 10, 2011 Thank you for your selfless service Dick Winters, and all of those in Easy Company.http://3ringnecklace.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #11 January 10, 2011 Quote He jumped out of airplanes...he's one of "us". Thank-you for your service, Mr. Winters. +1 Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccurley 1 #12 January 10, 2011 QuoteThey are not part of us, we are part of them. They have earned every right to be remembered here! Agreed 100%Watch my video Fat Women http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRWkEky8GoI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowwhite 0 #13 January 10, 2011 QuoteQuoteThey are not part of us, we are part of them. They have earned every right to be remembered here! Agreed 100% Count me in the very grateful group.skydiveTaylorville.org freefallbeth@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluskidave 0 #14 January 10, 2011 Curahee! Maj. Winters. A brave and humble man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #15 January 11, 2011 Thank you to Maj. Winters and anyone who has ever had the balls to jump out of an airplane for the sole purpose of landing near people trying to kill them, to seek them out and eliminate them, so others could live in freedom. Look you may not like the USA or the military, but you have to respect the courage that was shown. As others have mentioned, if not for men like these we would have a world that was far more detrimental to all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 150 #16 January 11, 2011 In 1994 I was approached by a guy who was in his 70's. He asked if I could possibly train a group of 20 to do a solo jump, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the jump into Arnhem (Operation Market Garden) in 1944. These guys were all in their 70's, the oldest was 82. All had served in the Parachute Regiment or SAS, and one was an ex member of the 101st Airborne division. Some had jumped into Sicily, some had jumped into Normandy, most had jumped into Arnhem or Nijmegen. One, (a medic) had done jumps into Greece, North Africa, Sicily, Normandy and Arnhem, without a weapon. My reply was simple, if they went through my first jump course and satisfied me that they could handle the ground training, no problem. They had approached the military, and another civilian (ex military) operater with the same request and their request to do a solo was denied, as was the same request from their colleagues in Australia, the US, Canada, and the UK. Too old......( I know a few were allowed to do tandems in other places). I was criticised in some quarters for allowing it, (apparently they were too old, too senile, not competant) but my feeling was that these were big boys, and if thats what they wanted, who was I to say no. One of them did not pass my solo training to my satisfaction, but I allowed him to do a tandem. The rest were some of the best students I ever trained, because they listened and did exactly what I asked of them....perfectly. The other 19 all did a solo static line jump and handled it easily. Some carried talismans that they had carried into battle 50 years previously. One wore his battle smock that he'd kept all those years. They were absolutely stoked. It remains, to this day, one of the highlights and priveliges of my life and skydiving career to have the opportunity make this happen. I felt very humble, knowing the history of these units. Meeting these guys just blew me away. To those who say that people like Dick Winters should not be remembered on this board, I say shame on you. You are not fit to lick their boots. I salute all of these guys who jumped into battle, who lost many of their friends in the process. The after jump celebration was huge....they made sure I got really shitfaced......., bloody old buggers...Men above men........ My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
efs4ever 3 #17 January 11, 2011 QuoteIn my humble opinion, no, this doesn't belong here. The skydiving community is small and when I see a new posting in this Memory forum my heart stops for a moment. I don't need this for every celebrity and sports hero that passes on. p.s. I think Dick Winters is a fine fellow and I loved Band of Brothers. I believe we post here for friends; in and out of the sport. Dick Winters is as important to jumpers as Whuffos. He DID jump under conditions most "skydivers" would turn and RUN from! (Try to get a new D holder to jump a ROUND!) Hell, Airborne School is bad enough, let alone a leap into DEATH.Russell M. Webb D 7014 Attorney at Law 713 385 5676 https://www.tdcparole.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fossg 0 #18 January 11, 2011 He was one of the best. Godspeed sir.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base283 0 #19 January 11, 2011 QuoteWas he a friend of yours? "A forum where we can post memories and tributes to our friends who stayed for a while and left before us". I dont think he was a skydiver. An outstanding paratrooping soldier, yes. Does this belong here? Just asking. Take care, space My question has been answered by many. Next drink is on Dick's honor. Take care, space Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #20 January 11, 2011 Quote Was he a friend of yours? "A forum where we can post memories and tributes to our friends who stayed for a while and left before us". I dont think he was a skydiver. An outstanding paratrooping soldier, yes. Does this belong here? Just asking. Take care, space Wow.The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Malta_Dog 0 #21 January 11, 2011 Blue Skies Mr Winters, thank you for all you and your men did for us. All your dropzone are belong to us!!!!111! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kunosoura 0 #22 January 11, 2011 Blue skies Maj. Winters. I drink to you tonight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #23 January 11, 2011 Quote Quote Was he a friend of yours? "A forum where we can post memories and tributes to our friends who stayed for a while and left before us". I dont think he was a skydiver. An outstanding paratrooping soldier, yes. Does this belong here? Just asking. Take care, space Wow. Yeah no kidding, I wonder how he thinks he is free, by accident? No matter who you are, someone else paid the tab. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimbo 0 #24 January 12, 2011 Dear Bob...WTF? Correct me if I'm wrong but Dick Winters is not a celebrity or sports hero. He's is a World War II hero who was/is 101 Airborne, and he jumped into France and who knows where else, and risked his life for our freedom!!!!! Deeda Dee. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #25 January 12, 2011 Quote He jumped out of airplanes...he's one of "us". Thank-you for your service, Mr. Winters. Couldn't have put it better. RIP Major Winters.When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
