Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Hang Tough: 6-6-44

There are moments in life when someone so inspires you that you cannot help but share it with the world.

This is one of those times.

Jordan Brown is eleven years old and a World War II buff. He's raising money to help fund a memorial commemorating his hero, Major Dick Winters, and the other brave World War II soldiers of D-Day by selling wristbands that say, "Hang tough."

From his website:

Central Pennsylvania student Jordan Brown is a WWII buff and has embarked upon a campaign to ensure that the WWII vets who served on D-Day are memorialized. In May 2010, he learned of an effort to honor Jordan’s hero, Major Dick Winters, and all the men that served on D-Day by having a statue built in St. Marie Du-Mont, Normandy, France. (This larger effort is being undertaken by Emmy award winning filmmaker, Tim Gray, see www.TimGrayMedia.com )


When Jordan read about this effort, he decided to embark on his own campaign to make sure that the necessary monies were raised for this and an associated documentary that will be produced on Major Winters leadership abilities.

Major Dick Winters (whose heroism & leadership were captured in the Steven Spielberg/Tom Hanks mini-series Band of Brothers) is known for using the expression “Hang Tough” when leading his troops in battle and also after the war. Jordan created olive green wristbands (to match the WWII army uniforms) that are inscribed with the words “Hang Tough”. (These wristbands are similar to the Lance Armstrong “live strong” ones.)

Jordan has been distributing these wristbands for minimum donations of $1. (Jordan wanted to ensure that children could afford them too.) To date, Jordan has collected over $32,000 towards the creation of the monument. He plans to continue to “hang tough” until all the necessary monies are raised to ensure that these WWII vets are honored appropriately.

What a kid! We need more like him!

To help Jordan, visit his website at http://www.hangtough6644.org/

1 comment:

Ron Scheer said...

Thanks for passing on the word. In the absence of a citizens army today, the kind of sacrifices made on D-Day and thereafter are hard to fully understand and appreciate.