Dick Winters Memorial Dedication

[Aragorn243]

Today was the unveiling and dedication of the Dick Winters Memorial in the town of his birth, Ephrata, PA. Dick was born here and spent his early childhood here and was laid to rest here. He spent the last part of his life in the Hershey area nearby. Here are some photos of his monument.

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Thanks for sharing this. A fitting tribute to a humble hero.

[25-5]

Thank you.

[Bob Womack]

I'm amazed at the sling in bronze.

Bob

[Aragorn243]

Local news video:

Statue dedicated for Susquehanna Valley veteran | Local News - WGAL Home

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

After watching many interviews with Major Winters and reading the comments of those who served with him he seems to embody the positive traits of so many who served in WWII.

[Aragorn243]

It was a very nice service for him. And it was for him. They did add other veterans past and present but it was clear this was about how this man influenced so many others. I ended up coming home with a press packet so I have the complete speeches which I'm glad for. There were two excellent speakers, the local high school football coach and a four star general who was born and raised in Ephrata. While there were other speakers, including a close friend of Dicks, these two had very strong messages.

The sad part of all this is that his family wanted no part of it. His daughter in particular fought this from the very beginning saying it wasn't something Dick would have wanted. And perhaps that's true. This monument is a twin to one placed at Normandy and he insisted at that time that the monument there was to honor all young junior officers, not just him.

But sometimes you need to be recognized for who you are and what you did. Would he have been famous if Band of Brothers was not written and then in particular brought to the screen by HBO? Probably not, but he was just like many others who fought in that war and others. His example was an excellent one and had we not learned about him, the men he served with and what they did, we all would be less for it.

So I'm glad they made the memorial. I expect it will bring a few extra people to the town from time to time but the pilgrimage will be small and very limited. It's important for the people here to know that someone like Dick can come from a small town like this and perhaps they themselves can strive to be like him.

[Beerhunter]

This monument is a twin to one placed at Normandy and he insisted at that time that the monument there was to honor all young junior officers, not just him.

I thought that I had seen it before. The original is to the left of the road as one heads to Utah Beach.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Well put and exactly the point of my previous post. Again ,only my thoughts based on inteviews I have seen but his humility probably would have made him a bit uncomfortable with it.The monument represents (to me anyway) Major Winters, those he influenced & led and all those like him who made so many sacrifices all those years ago. I hope they come to see it that way.

Any plans to post the speeches?

[Aragorn243]

Any plans to post the speeches?

I wish I could but they are huge and typing them would take forever. I'll see about scanning them when I get a chance.