You probably don't remember me. It seems like nowadays people are forgetting
more and more about our WWII veterans, but I'm a member of the E Company,
506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division from WWII. This is the unit better known as
"The Band of Brothers."
What is one of the most important things you'll leave behind in this
world? For me, it's legacy. Not my legacy, but the legacy and memories
of so many men from my company, many of whom never made it back home.
A lot of young people know nothing about their own history and worse yet,
there are a lot of teachers that are trying to
change our history to make me and my friends look like the bad guys in WWII.
That is why I am grateful for the opportunities I get to speak with young
people and talk with them about my service and the amazing men I served
with in World War II.
One of the best chances I get is the American Veterans Center's Annual
National Youth Leadership Summit. I take the train up to Washington, DC
every year and talk with these students who WANT to know more. I spoke
with them about my stories – and I've got some good ones –
about the men I fought with and what I learned on and off the battlefield.
Many of these students are in ROTC programs or at military academies,
and I just pray they learn from my experiences. I hope our conversations
will make them better military officers down the road. I really wish when
I was their age that I had the chance to hear from veterans who fought
defending our country. I could have learned a heck of a lot from them.
I want to get as many young people to this conference as possible, but
the American Veterans Center needs your help. They were able to raise
some money recently, but they still have about 63 students that would
like to come to the conference on November 6 and 7, who need a small scholarship
to cover their cost.
I'm speaking at the event, but I want these young people to hear from
not only me, but also all the veterans that will be speaking during the
two day conference. I'd love to get as many young people there as
possible so I can tell my story and have other veterans share the story
of their compatriots'.
So I've gotta deal for you.
If you donate $198, which pays for a student to attend the National Youth
Summit for two days and two night's lodging, then I will have Mr. Roberts, the President of The American Veterans
Center, send you my new book, Airborne.
Heck, to sweeten the deal I told him
I'd even SIGN the books when I come up in November for the conference!
You'll have to wait until mid-November to get my signed book, but
I think it's a pretty darn good one. So I hope it's worth the
wait. Either way it might make a good Christmas or Hanukkah gift for someone you know.
I hope you take me up on this offer and help me get some students to this
great event.
Just remember the donation is tax-deductible.
Thanks again for all your support.
Thank you for your time,
Col. Ed Shames
Member of Easy Company
101st Airborne Division