He's one of my heroes.
Have you ever heard of Jordan Brown of Lebanon, Pennsylvania?
He's also one of my heroes.
Dick died in 2011 at the age of 92. He was featured prominently in the 2001 HBO miniseries Band of Brothers and in the book of the same name. (I am sure many of you have seen the series and probably enjoyed it as much as I did.) Dick is best known for leading an assault on a battery of German 105mm guns at Brecourt Manor. The destruction of those guns resulted in Dick receiving the Distinguished Service Cross.
Jordan is 14, the same age as our 9th graders. As far as I know he is alive and well. I first learned of him in a 2012 news story. At that time Jordan was trying to raise enough money to build a monument honoring Dick near the small French hamlet of Ste. Marie du Mont, just down the road from Utah Beach.
He simply thought Dick needed a statue.
Jordan estimated the cost of the statue at $400,000. So he set about selling rubber bracelets emblazoned with Dick's personal motto: Hang Tough.
Jordan sold lots of bracelets. Lots.
I've visited the monument near Brecourt. It is provided here for your viewing. If you ever get to Normandy, check it out. (I have also included a picture of Dick taken during World War II.)
Well done, Jordan, well done.
Dinner table question of the week:
Think of your own question...you can do it!
Dick Winters
Thanks, Bill, for reminding us that we ALL can make a difference, regardless of our age.
ReplyDeleteMy dinner discussion would be "What does it mean to 'hang tough?and when do you feel that you have been in this position?"
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