Comments on: Motivational Posters: Band of Brothers Edition

By: Joe Vera

Joe Vera — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:31:55 +0000

I hid behind my large computer monitor as I read this piece. It was tough to read. My father was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. It was not until my son was about 16 that he spoke of the war. My son, now 28, knows of these great men and the service our military provides us. I pray others keep the memories of these men and all our military men and women alive through their children.

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:11:12 +0000

I love these guys. I’m reading Stephen Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers right now. I wish there were more men like them in my generation! So, less than thirty are still alive…? Does anyone know what states they live in? I would love to visit any one of them, even of they aren’t coherent enough to tell me stories. I love WWII vets. Don’t get me wrong, I love all veterans (my daddy is a vet), but WWII vets have a special place in my heart. Great men & women.

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:24:36 +0000

It is our duty to never forget them and do what we can to ensure other don’t. It is wholly inadequate in comparison, but it’s the least we can do.

By: Diocletian

Diocletian — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:23:31 +0000

My father served in the Pacific Theatre in WW II aboard the USS Minneapolis during the Battle of Surigao Strait, one of the battles that comprised the Battle for Leyte Gulf, Philippines.

He never wanted to describe his experience except to say that he wasn’t so scared in his life; nevertheless, he kept his cool at his station as a gunner’s assistant, feeding shells into the gun during the heat of the engagement with the Japanese fleet. He stayed at his post even after he was struck by a hot casing as it was ejected from the gun. He overcame the fear by maintaining his focus on his assigned task. This battle took place in the middle of the night (around 2am), with the only illumination being that produced by the explosive flashes of the American and Japanes guns confronting each other with murderous intent over the dark waters of the Strait.

His fear was an expression of his humanity; his courage (an exclusively human virtue) was an expression of his resoluteness toward what he valued, what was worth fighting for–his life and freedom. That resoluteness enabled him to overcome the fear, and in so doing, achieve–in that moment and many times during his life thereafter–something of that to which Aristotle referred as “eudaimoneia”, or success as a human being.

The men of Easy Company achieved that success as well.

By: InterWeb Golem

InterWeb Golem — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 07:06:47 +0000

@ Brett McKay:

You noted: “Brett McKay May 30, 2011 at 1:34 am — The photos were given to Marcus Brotherton by the families of the men featured to only be used with permission, so we can’t distribute the photos or sell the posters–sorry.”

Is there no possible way you can arrange for that permission for use through a create-on-demand service like Cafe Press? I have considered “motivational” posters of this sort to be superficial beyond belief, but this series inspires me. Vehicles such as Cafe Press can be used to provide a stream of income to worthy causes. At the very least, I will print and frame these at letter paper size for regular display.

Thanks for making this all available.

Golem, USAF 1971-1975

By: SSGBob

SSGBob — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:35:28 +0000

When I was in Ramadi, Iraq (2005-2006) I lived the most truthful statement about combat ever said (and it was in Band of Brothers). When Lt. Spiers told Pvt. Blight “you have to accept the fact that your already dead. Only then can you perform like a soldier’s supposed to…”

By: Remy

Remy — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:21:12 +0000

It get goosebumps looking at the photos. When I was younger I thought a lot about the fact that so few veterans were still alive. My Grandfather had served in the Korean War with the Americans. It was only on his deathbed that he started telling about these stories. It really makes you want to document every veteran’s story for generations to come.

Coming from Holland we owe a lot to the Allied forces and we still celebrate it every year. Too bad much of the youth has forgotten about it though…A real shame but I tend to focus more on the actions of these heros than other ignorant people.

By: Xlar

Xlar — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:43:57 +0000

Epic :)

By: HermanTurnip

HermanTurnip — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:19:09 +0000

Being a (much younger) veteran, it brings a tear to my eyes reading this post. These soldiers are prime examples of the greatest generation. Here’s a crisp salute and a tip of the beer mug to the sort of men that we should all look up to.

By: Allen Leddon

Allen Leddon — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:18:42 +0000

to Steve: “Is war Manly?”
Robert E. Lee, watching the spectacle of thousands of Union soldier forming up for a hopless assault on his positon, is reported to have remarked that “It is well that war is so horrible, or else we would grow too fond of it.”
War is not manly. But war brings out the best and worst in men. Stories of heroics and willing self-sacrifice abound in war-time. Our ability to organize, strive, and acheive are all heightened during war. It is often the wish of leaders in peace-time to find the kind of committment in citizens that the soldier and sailor shows in war. Against the backdrop of war and horror, acts of generosity, kindness and courage shine like a beacon in the night. I have often wondered if the acts of people like Alvin York, or Audie Murphy, or Clara Barton, or Oskar Schendler are the reasons a loving God permits war to continue. I know that many people behave with courage and perserverance in peace time to uphold the law or feed the poor, but in war, the manly virtues are illuminated with the light of rightousness more brightly than at any other time.