PoliticsHomecomingPoliticsmilitary homecoming

Best 'Band Of Brothers' Scenes In Honor Of The Legendary Unit's Final Homecoming

Legendary 'Band Of Brothers' Unit Returns From War For The Very Last Time
Open Image Modal

On Wednesday, the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, returned home from a 6-month deployment to Afghanistan. It was a bittersweet homecoming as the return marked the very last time that the unit, which traces its origins to the legendary "Band of Brothers" unit in World War II, will return from war. Along with nine other brigade combat teams, the unit will be disbanded sometime in the next year because of military budget cuts. The soldiers will be reassigned.

"It sucks," Spc. Chris Allen, of Lockhart, Texas, told The Associated Press. "I don't want to go to a different unit."

We can understand his frustration. The men of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, set the bar pretty damn high. In honor of both the returning soldiers and their heroic predecessors, here are some of the most powerful "Band Of Brothers" scenes and quotes:

1. "We're all scared."
When Ronald Speirs explains to Private Albert Blithe why Blithe hid in a ditch during D-Day.

"You hid in that ditch because you think there's still hope. But Blithe, the only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier's supposed to function. Without mercy. Without compassion. Without remorse. All war depends upon it."

2. "He came back."
When Easy Company's effort to take the Belgian town Foy is struggling because Norman Dike's ineffective leadership and Speirs is sent to relieve him. Speirs gains control of the situation, orders men into position and then races through enemy fire to connect with I Company on the other side of the town.

"At first the Germans didn't shoot at him. At first they couldn't believe what they were seeing. But that wasn't the really astounding part. The astounding part was that, after he hooked up with I Company, he came back."

3. "Why We Fight."
When Easy Company comes across a concentration camp near the war's end. The soldiers realize the extent of Hitler's evil for the first time since the starving and dead prisoners are not thieves or criminals, just Jewish.

"I don't think criminals, sir. ... Doctors, musicians, tailors, clerks, farmers, intellectuals. I mean, normal people."

4. "I served with a company of heroes."
When, in the final scene of the series, Richard Winters recounts a letter he received later in life from Mike Ranney.

"I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said, 'No. But I served with a company of heroes.'"

5. "I hope he hasn't forgotten his laundry."
When Malarkey goes to pick up his laundry in England after three weeks of combat in Normandy, France. Easy Company lost 65 men during that time. The laundry woman has a bunch of extra bundles that haven't been picked up yet so she asks Malarkey if he knows the men whose laundry she's still owed for.

"You couldn't be a dear and help me with a few others, could you?"

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

World War II Marine's Diary
World War II Marine's Diary(01 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows a photo of 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
Laura Mae Davis Burlingame(02 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this Thursday, May 23, 2013 photo, Laura Mae Davis Burlingame, 90, holds a photo of herself from high school, in her Moorseville, Ind. home. The photo filled the back cover of a diary she had given to a Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, a 22-year-old machine gunner, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. Burlingame didnt know the military diary she gave Jones had survived him. She saw it and read, If this Diary is lost and if it is Possible please return it to Miss Laura Mae Davis. Address. Winslow Indiana. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(03 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows a page of photographs from the diary by 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. The diary includes his writings as well as photos of himself and his high school sweetheart, Laura Mae Davis. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(04 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this May 23, 2013 photo, a diary, letters and photos of 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas "Cotton" Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II, are on display at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(05 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this Thursday, May 23, 2013 photo, Laura Mae Davis Burlingame, 90, displays a copy of the first pages of the diary of Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, at her Moorseville, Ind. home. Burlingame had given the diary to Jones, a 22-year-old machine gunner, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island. Burlingame didnt know the military diary she gave Jones had survived him. She saw it and read, If this Diary is lost and if it is Possible please return it to Miss Laura Mae Davis. Address. Winslow Indiana. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(06 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this May 23, 2013 photo, a page of out of the diary of 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Jones featuring a photo of his high school sweetheart, Laura Mae Davis Burlingame, is on display at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Behind is a Marine uniform like one Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II, would have worn. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(07 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this May 23, 2013 photo, a page of out of the diary of 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Jones featuring a photo of his high school sweetheart, Laura Mae Davis Burlingame, is on display at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Behind is a Marine uniform like one Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II, would have worn. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(08 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows pages from the diary by 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(09 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows the first entry from the diary of 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(10 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows pages from the diary by 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(11 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows pages from the diary by 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(12 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this May 23, 2013 photo, a diary, letters and photos of 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas "Cotton" Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II, are on display at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(13 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows pages from the diary by 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(14 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows a telegram notifying his parents of the death of their son, 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(15 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows pages from the diary by 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II, including a portrait of his high school sweetheart, Laura Mae Davis, at right. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. . (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
World War II Marine's Diary(16 of16)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by the National WWII Museum shows pages from the diary by 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Thomas Cotton Jones, who died in the bloody assault on a Japanese-held island during World War II. Before Jones died, he wrote what he called his last life request to anyone who might find his diary: Please give it to Laura Mae Davis, the girl he loved. Laura Mae Davis Burlingame _ she married an Army Air Corps man in 1945 _ had given the diary to Jones, and didnt know it had survived him until visiting the museum on April 24. (AP Photo/National WWII Museum) (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip