Band of Brothers

Many of you have seen the mini-series "Band of Brothers" which takes its name from Shakespeare's Henry V; Act IV, scene iii:

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Perhaps one of the greatest military epic stories ever told, Band of Brothers shows the true story of Easy Company during World War II. Many of you have family that served in World War II. I count myself in that group of blessed and honoured people. My grandfather was part of the liberating forces of France. He was wounded twice by Germans.

Here in England, National Geographic Channel is showing the complete unedited mini-series. I've been watching it again, for perhaps the 3rd or 4th time. Though I know it's merely a retelling of the events, each time I see what the men of Easy Co. went though in an effort to stop Hitler I can't help but well up, and after some episodes fully sob.

I could try to make some lame comparison to today's men and women serving in yet another war, but I won't. There can be nothing that compare to what those men did. It is no wonder they are called the greatest generation.

If you haven't seen the series, take some time and go down to your local video store and rent it. Take a few hours of your day and watch what the men of Easy Co. went through. I'm sure you will join me in sobbing and thank your grandparents for their sacrifice.