Currahee receives books from ‘Band of Brothers’ commander

PAKTIKA PROVINCE – “Beyond Band of Brothers” is a New York Times bestseller that documents the war memoirs of former Army Maj. Dick Winters, the third comm. officer of “Easy Co”, 506th PIR, 101st AD, and co-written by retired Col. Cole Kingseed. The books were personally donated by Winters and Kingseed and were, in turn, matched by the publishers. The unit was also highlighted in the HBO Emmy Award-winning miniseries “Band of Brothers”.

---

Along with a copy of the book, Soldiers received letters written by Winters and Kingseed to the Currahees. While the books were en route to Afghanistan, the world received the news that Winters had passed away, and that made the letters enclosed in the shipment more poignant. “I want to take this opportunity to wish you a blessed holiday season and to assure you that your efforts to preserve those values we hold dear as a nation are greatly appreciated,” Winters wrote. “I hope my book will be useful and beneficial to you and that it is a token of sincere appreciation for your service to our nation. Hang Tough.” Though the original plan was for Soldiers to receive the books during the holidays, winter weather in the U.S. delayed the shipping process. “This almost didn't happen, but thanks to the help of men and women of the Berkley Publishing Group, the books were able to make it out to the Soldiers,” said Alexander Omhof, a personal friend of Winters. “Maj. Dick Winters gained the respect and trust of the Soldiers he fought alongside, and the admiration of Currahees who follow in his footsteps,” read a TF Currahee statement about the donation of the books. “We're proud to say that we've had the honor as present-day Currahees to know him and the example he set, and to follow the historic path forged by one of the most celebrated U.S. Army leaders, Maj. Dick Winters. He is missed. He will never be forgotten.” Some Soldiers read the book within days of receiving it. “Most of the tactical ops center personnel have already read it, and many said they couldn't put it down,” said Maj. Mark Houston, EO of 2nd Bn. “I'm honored to receive this gift from Dick Winters, a U.S. Army leader who has had such a huge impact on our unit,” said Spc. Nicole Reyes, a human resource specialist with HHC, 4th BCT. “It was also very surreal for me to think about how he never forgot his Currahee brothers and sisters.”

---