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October 04, 2008
World War II Band of Brothers Meets Operation Iraqi Freedom Band of Brothers
Members of the 4th Sustainment Brigade, who provide escort security for convoy missions, pose in front of a M1151 gun truck with WWII vet Don Malarkey, 87, who was featured in the HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers.”
From left, Forrest Guth, Clancy Lyall and Amos “Buck” Taylor, WWII veterans and members of Easy Company as featured in the TV series “Band of Brothers,” pose for photos and sign autographs for troops during a week-long visit to the Middle East.
World War II Band of Brothers Meets Operation Iraqi Freedom Band of Brothers
By Maj. Carol McClelland
1st Theater Sustainment Command,
Public Affairs
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait
Six World War II veterans featured in the TV mini-series “Band of Brothers” visited Camp Arifjan recently where they encountered a team of Operation Iraqi freedom soldiers eager to show off their “office.”
Former Easy Company Soldiers visited to meet and greet troops and sign autographs. Spc. Matt Klinkenberg and some of his buddies wanted to meet the men they saw in the 10-part series that chronicles the experiences and stories of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.
“We’re hearing the stories from them in person that were portrayed on the show,” said Klinkenberg, a member of the 129th Transportation Company. “It’s cool meeting actual war heroes. It’s amazing.”
During the community center visit, gunner and truck commander Sgt. Daniel Moore and his buddies decided to act on an idea they had.
“At first we thought how cool it would be to get an M1151 gun truck up here with the .50-caliber machine gun on it. But then we remembered the arms room was not open, so we just brought the truck,” said Moore, a 23-year-old Chillicothe, Mo. native who’s assigned to 6 Transportation Battalion.
Thinking of the 80-plus-year-old war veterans navigating over gravel, the team drove the tactical truck to the fence closest to the building then arranged to have the fence unlocked driving it even closer. Eighty-six-year old South Philadelphia native “Wild Bill” Guarnere, who lost a leg in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, said he appreciated the gesture and complimented the growing crowd for their military service.
“We wanted them to see what 60 years difference in Army equipment brings and how we do things,” Moore said. The crew, who commonly spend seven hours a day for six to eight days inside the vehicle, showed off its up-armored protection platform that’s pre-manufactured to handle the warfighter’s defensive needs.
“Back home, we’d never get to meet these guys,” said 40-year-old Spc. Jeffrey Noble from Bloomfield, Iowa.
Spc. Deigo Dela Vega, a 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry, Ohio National Guardsman from Lima, Ohio, agreed.
“This is a really cool day for me.”
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"Wild Bill" Guarnere, Edward "Babe" Heffron, Forrest Guth, Don Malarkey, Amos "Buck" Taylor and Clancy Lyall visit service members stop at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Sept. 19, 2008 during their six day tour to visit deployed service members.
"Wild Bill" Guarnere, Edward "Babe" Heffron, Forrest Guth, Don Malarkey, Amos "Buck" Taylor and Clancy Lyall visit service members stop at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Sept. 19, 2008 during their six day tour to visit deployed service members.
“Band of Brothers” Travel to Kuwait
Six members from the “Band of Brothers” visited service members in Kuwait, during a tour hosted by the United Services Organization Sept. 14-19, 2008.
The men, who served together in E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during World War II, traveled 12 hours from the U.S. to thank deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines for their service to our country.
The members were “Wild Bill” Guarnere, Clancy Lyall, Amos “Buck” Taylor, Forrest Guth, Edward “Babe” Heffron and Don Malarkey.
They were scheduled to make a stop at Camp Buehring, Kuwait to meet with service members before moving forward to meet with troops in Iraq.
They began their tour at the Camp Buehring stage, but when it came time to move forward, they were not able to make their trip north due to inclement weather.
However, that did not keep them from fulfilling their goal of meeting with troops to show their appreciation for their service. Instead of going into Iraq, the USO made it possible for them to make various stops around military camps in Kuwait to talk to servic emembers.
“They are happy as long as they are seeing troops,” said Dana DePaul, tour producer, USO.
“It’s an honor to come and visit,” said Lyall. “We wanted to boost the morale and show that we care.”
Although it has been over a half century since these men made their contributions to the 101st and World War II, which were made famous through the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers,” their stories and experiences are not much different from service members who serve in the military today.
“I am no different from any Soldier here,” said Lyall. “We just have good P.R. people,” he added jokingly.
Much like today, each servicemember served and fought for their country during a time of war. Some volunteered for different reasons and others were drafted.
But war-fighters of both eras faced their own unique challenges.
During World War II, some of the challenges lay in the fact that the fighting conditions were different, the climate was cooler and the technology was not as advanced.
Many challenges that today’s war fighters face involve improvised explosive devices and concerns of suicide bombers who threaten the lives and safety of service members and civilians.
These six men of E Company made the trip to show their appreciation for service members who are involved in the current war on terror and to let those service members know they understand some of the challenges that they face.
“We had an enemy,” said Guarnere, a staff sergeant with the unit. “Here, you don’t know who the enemy is.”
He also spoke of how, although it was extremely cold when they fought at Bastogne, he was amazed that service members fight in the hotter climates of the Middle East.
“The heat, the heat,” he said in an expression filled with much animation. “How you do it, I don’t know.”
During one of their final stops, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, many excited service members waited in a long line to shake hands, take pictures and show their appreciation for these six men.
“I think it’s amazing getting a chance to see real life heroes in person,” said Staff Sgt. Jarod Perkioniemi, public affairs, and a Farmington Hills, Mich., native. “It’s just a tribute that they came out to see us Soldiers.”
But these men were just as excited to see the troops who are currently making the same sacrifices they made over 60 years ago.
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Wild Thing's comment.............
It is always an honor and privilege to post stories and photos of our troops serving our country. And to be able to post about the Band of Brothers trip to meet up with our troops is so very special.
Where the article speaks about “Wild Bill” Guarnere, who lost a leg in the Battle of the Bulge. I said an extra prayer for of thanks too for one of my Uncles that also lost his leg in the Battle of the Bulge. I wonder if they knew each other or if they ever met. The others in my family and Nicholas served in other conflicts and they would love this story too.
God bless all of these people and prayers for our country that these men and women are making so many sacrifices for each day.
Posted by Wild Thing at October 4, 2008 04:55 AM
Comments
WOW! That is just so neat!! Imagine, these WWII heroes traveling to Iraq, all in their 80's!! God bless their hearts ~
(I am now not going to be complaining about my little aches and pains...)
Posted by: yankeemom at October 4, 2008 07:22 AM
I love those elders in the Band of Brothers. They are something special and are to be listened to and we can all learn a thing or two from the "greatest" generation.
My wish is that ALL of us, including those who never served or were affected by military service would take heart from what these men and women have to say. It means a lot.
Posted by: Lynn at October 4, 2008 08:39 AM
GOD continue to bless our 'Greatest Generation' that defeated the Nazis and Japs and Italians in 3 years and 8 months ... 3 Years & 8 months! No rules of NON-ENGAGEMENT back then, eh? WHERE have you gone Harry Truman!!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at October 4, 2008 11:05 AM
Thank you Chrissie, what a wonderful gesture for both groups, I have been blessed to know both WWI and WWII veterans. If anyone knows a WWII veteran drop by and give them an ear, they are passing way too fast. "Wild Bill" Guarnere made a statement that has held true in all wars since the Korean War it is all about a definition.
“We had an enemy,” said Guarnere, a staff sergeant with the unit. “Here, you don’t know who the enemy is.”
That statement defines it all, from the battlefield to the halls of Congress even to the local neighborhood, you don't know who the enemy is. The worst of the worst are those enemies within.
Today our troops are asked to fight an enemy the has been defined in politically correct terms, sanitized by the left as a freedom fighter in a nation where students are taught to revile our soldiers. They are tasked with the dirtiest of jobs that those prissy self aggrandizers in Congress are unwilling, unable or don't have the stomach to do themselves.
Never ever condemn a soldier or their actions unless you have walked in their footsteps, you are not qualified to make that determination. Even then we have the Murtha's and Kerry's who dishonor the code of honor and defile all the troops.
God bless our troops and God bless the greatest generation. Thank You.
Well said Darth!!!
Posted by: Jack at October 4, 2008 11:55 AM
The military family knows no generational bounds. An 80yr old soldier and a 20 yr old soldier can talk about the same things, both good and bad. It had to be a thrill to all for this meeting of such different age groups. I bet the Band of Brothers appreciated the advancement in chow hall food.
Posted by: TomR at October 4, 2008 12:02 PM
Chrissie,kid you do one hell of a job with your
site!!It's one of the best,hell it is the best!!
I shave my head and trim my beard but once in a
while I take a drive over to Emmitt Idaho to this
barber shop. The barber is 87 years old and flew
a B-24 in world war 2..
Posted by: Tincan Sailor at October 4, 2008 01:31 PM
This is great that they took the time out to visit our troops. One nice gesture, for sure.
Posted by: Mark at October 4, 2008 06:24 PM
Yankeemom, big smile I love it too. Just the trip over there is huge, it must have been fun being all together like that too doing this. Just so special.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 4, 2008 06:41 PM
Lynn, I agree, they have a lot to share and it is a special time to be around them.
I loved it a few years ago reading how some grade schools asked Veterans to come to their school to speak to the children about what Veterans Day was about.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 4, 2008 06:44 PM
Darth, good one and a big ole yesss.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 4, 2008 06:49 PM
Jack, wonderfully said. I agree too, people are too quick to condemn those serving when they have no clue what they are up against or even what happened.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 4, 2008 06:51 PM
Tom, giggle I bet they did too. The chow has changed a lot.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 4, 2008 06:56 PM
Tincan Sailor, thank you so much, I really appreciate it. I love having a blog and that I got to know everyone on here has meant more to me then I can even put in to words.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 4, 2008 06:58 PM
Mark, yes it is something these younger troops will have in their memories forever.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 4, 2008 06:59 PM
