This book is about a personal hero of mine. Major Dick Winters was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1918. In World War II he served as Commander or Easy Company (506th Parachute Infantry Regiment). To put it plainly these guys were bad asses! Dropping out of planes behind enemy lines is about as dangerous as it gets other than the front lines in Normandy. His book unveils the life of a paratrooper and takes you through the battles Easy Company fought in. The book is inspirational and will make you thankful for the life we have here in America. One of the famous stories in the book talks about the Battle of the Bulge where our paratroopers were surrounded (in the middle of winter with no winter clothing) by the Nazi’s, as the story goes Patton states that he rescued them, however Easy Company was able to fight and portray that their forces were much larger than the enemy thought leading to victory in the end.

The mini-series Band of Brothers brings these stories too life. It is well worth watching but the books really get to the heart of it.

From this day to the ending of the world…..
We in it shall be remembered……
We gallant few, we band of brothers.
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother.
– William Shakespeare, Henry V

John Heisman was an athlete and an innovator in the game of football. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio where he played high school football. In 1887 Heisman went on to Brown University and played four years of collegiate football. At twenty six years old he became the fifth head coach at Auburn University. There have always been young coaches succeed in the game of football! An outstanding career in coaching that lasted sixteen seasons (multiple schools) and compiled a 185-68-18 record.

Heisman’s contribution to the game of football is like few others. His innovation gave the game the first legal shifts, pulling of guards, shotgun snap, division of games into quarters (as compared to halves) and more importantly the advocate for the forward PASS in 1906! Man if he could only see the Air Raid at Work!

Without a doubt he is a legend and is important that everyone understands his contribution. Hence the Heisman Trophy was named in honor of him.

Hal Mumme Football Forum