Major Dick Winters Display in Hershey, PA

On Saturday October 25, 2008, Bill Shea and son Patrick were honored to be among the distinguished guests invited to attend the formal dedication ceremony of The Major Dick Winters Exhibit at the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society in beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch country.

Others attending were Cole Kingseed, the co-author of Beyond Band of Brothers, Bob Hoffman, who is a close personal friend of Major Winters (and myself), a retired US Army Air Force Colonel who flew 102 (!) missions over Europe, as well as several other Veterans and city and state officials.

It was a very special event, despite of the rainy weather!  The museum constructed what is to be a permanent replica of the den in Major Winters’ home, and they were able to include a tremendous amount of his memorabilia and personal belongings.  There are many photographs, furniture, maps, awards (one for the “Medal of the City of Eindhoven”), weaponry, flags (including an original guidon from the 506th), helmets, even his very own desk and chair. Outside the den, you walk under a huge replica of the arch in Holland.  This is the one made famous in that oh-so-popular photo taken in October 1944 with then-Captain Winters standing beneath it.

Along with all these treasures is the exact look-alike mannequin of Major Winters, featured front and center when you enter the museum.  It was an honor for us at "The Ruptured Duck" to permanently donate this mannequin from Bill's personal collection, for all others to see and enjoy who have the pleasure of stopping by the museum for a visit.

The exhibit opens to the general public on Veterans Day, November 11, 2008, and admission is free of charge. Feel free also to visit the website at www.hersheyhistory.org.  It is well worth the trip from anywhere, as they have done an outstanding job in paying homage to a great American hero from “The Greatest Generation”.  If you can't make the trip, you can browse through photos from my trip below!