Tim Gray Media is honored to announce The Richard Winters Leadership project - May 2010
First Lt. Richard Winters Leadership Statue in Normandy, France and Accompanying HD Documentary film on Dick Winters Leadership of Men in Combat on D-Day and in the European Theatre during World War II
This project has the approval of Major Richard Winters and all donations are tax-deductible through the Rhode Island PBS Foundation, a 501 (c)(3)
The Project: A statue to be dedicated in Normandy (Ste. Marie-du-Mont) recognizing (then) First Lieutenant Richard Winters and the leadership abilities of all US Army officers during the Normandy phase of Operation Overlord. The statue will be designed by internationally known sculptor Stephen Spears of Fairhope, AL and be the likeness of Lt. Winters. Mr. Spears is the sculptor of the United States World War I Doughboy statue in Cantigny, France and the U.S. Navy World War II monument, dedicated in 2008 outside the Utah Beach museum, Ste. Marie-du-Mont, France.
The Statue: A selected and approved likeness (by the Winters’ family) of (then) 1st Lt. Winters. The statue of Mr. Winters will be positioned in a leadership position (as a leader of men). The statue will be identified as 1st Lt. Richard Winters, E-Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne, but will also be representative of ALL the Army officers who were responsible for leading soldiers into combat in Normandy on June 6, 1944 and will showcase all the division and unit patches of those who fought in Normandy in the very early stages of D-Day. The monument will prominently feature the words: Leadership 6-6-1944 below Lt. Winters’ likeness.
The Documentary Film: Will focus on Lt. Winters’ leadership abilities in Europe in WWII, his ability to motivate, inspire and lead men when initial planning has broken down, all principles that are still important today to those who lead and set the stage for others to succeed. Interviews with E Company men alive today and with Major Winters will be utilized. This film will air on a national cable channel.
Fundraising for statue and film project: To be organized by Tim Gray Media, an Emmy Award-Winning documentary film company based in Kingston, Rhode Island: (www.timgraymedia.com). TGM focuses on the production of films which chronicle the stories of WWII veterans.
501(c)(3): Through a co-production partnership with the Rhode Island PBS Foundation, all donations and sponsorships of this project are tax-deductible. RIPBS is a 501(c)(3) organization.
National Spokesperson for project & narrator/host of film: Former Boston Red Sox and 3-time World Series champion and National Museum of World War II board member, Curt Schilling.
Dedication: Statue dedication in France and documentary debut in Philadelphia or at the National World War II Museum (New Orleans, LA): Late 2011, early 2012.
Education: 1,000 copies of the DVD will be donated to school systems (all levels) in Pennsylvania free of charge on behalf of the Major Winters and Ethel Winters.
Richard Winters Leadership Award (presented annually): In addition to the monument to Dick Winters in Ste. Marie-du-Mont, a Major Richard Winters Leadership Award (a bronze medal with the likeness of the actual monument engraved on the medallion w/ribbon and name of recipient) will be presented each year to current members of the 101st Airborne who display exceptional leadership qualities in both combat and non-combat situations. Award winners to be determined by 101st Airborne representatives and presented at a time to be determined by 101st officials.
Donations: Tax-deductible donations to the project can be made payable to:
The Rhode Island PBS Foundation
c/o Kathryn Larsen
RIPBS
50 Park Lane
Providence, RI 02907
In the memo line of the check indicate: Richard Winters Leadership Project.
PayPal: You may also make a donation via PayPal at www.timgraymedia.com (Donate link).
I am a 65 y/o woman who had a dad who was stationed in Hawaii before the attack at Pearl Harbor. He had a brother who was at the Battle of the Bulge. I am ashamed to say I never talked to dad about his service or the war. Now I’m grateful for Band of Brothers and this soon to be produced documentary on Major Winters. Now I can cry and be grateful for all those young men did. Being a soldier and putting yourself in such danger is against all that has been programmed into us humans. I cannot thank them enough. I did volunteer for a few years recently at the Philadelphia Airport USO. It was a humbling experience which I will never forget. I always stop to shake the hand of men and women who are in uniform. I pray for all to come home/ Thank you, Tim Gray, for reminding us often of our heritage.
Jane Charley
I had a G-Father who was a WWII Navy Seabee who was on the Island of Okinawa during it’s most horrible combat. And will have to say that sitting and listening to him talk of all the Seabees and other military men did for our US of A makes me so glad I knew him. These men and women can never be thanked enough for that. He died in 1985 at the age of 73. another mentionable soldier is a dear friend I had the honor of knowing was Harvey Hamlett. He went ashore on UTAH Beach a few days after D-Day. What a man!!!! He was one of the nicest,and most gentle men you could ever meet. His stories fasinated me up until he went on to his glory in 2008.
Now!!!! As for Major Richard Winters, & His Band Of Brothers— IT’S ABOUT TIME!!!!! I served in the USN Seabee’s during the 1980’s, and was elected to be in an air detachment for my Battalion, So I did do some training in Ga. with the 101st Rangers…..GOD BLESS THESE MEN AND WOMEN they are well trained as well as hard trained combat soldiers. I would count it and honor to serve with these units. I, my wife and daughters and their soon to be husbands watch BAND OF BROTHERS EVERY 4TH OF JULY …BLESS ALL OUR PAST AND PRESENT MILITARY…I do hope that the statue,medals,and the documentary can be accomplished.
Thank you!
Hi, I live on Omaha Beach, France, I would like to let you know that in Normandy we will never forget what these men have done for us and then for the whole world. I have met a couple of years ago, one of the veteran from Easy company, he was in the wheel chair, and he was with the actor who played his role in the mini-series, band of brothers. They were at the museum in Utah Beach, and I will never forget that day, because at that time, I was not able to say one word in English, and I wanted so badly to thank him and tell him how proud I was to meet him, and let him know that I will never forget! I hope he understood! this is a great idea, that statue in Sainte-Marie du Mont, it is very close from my home and so, if you need some help, please, just let me know, I will do my best. Thank you very much for what you did for the veterans! Carole