Band of Brothers
Join our Band of Brothers
Today, I would like to share a story from one of my favorite television shows, Band of Brothers. The series dramatizes the history of "Easy" Company, part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from jump training in the U.S. through its participation in major actions in Europe up until Japan's capitulation and the war's end.
Easy Company was led by Richard Winters until he was promoted to Battalion commander before they were shipped off to the Battle of the Bulge. While in Bastogne, Easy company was surrounded by the enemy, cut off from supplies, and battled extreme winter weather and constant artillery bombardment. They were tasked with an advance to the city of Foy and led by their new CO (commanding officer), Lieutenant Norman Dike. Dike was not an original member of Easy Company and was transferred to get combat experience before he could continue his march up the chain of command.
In Bastogne, Dike was often absent, disappearing on long walks while the rest of the men were dug in. Dike’s leadership faltered during the advance, causing a dangerous pause and putting the men at risk. He calls for the men to fall back, and they get pinned down by a sniper. Winters, watching from the back, calls in to tell them to keep moving forward. Dike is paralyzed and indecisive. His men are screaming at him to give them orders.
Winters, seeing the trouble, sends Lieutenant Ronald Speirs to take over command. Speirs immediately takes charge, directing the men to set up grenade launchers to take out the sniper. He then runs through the enemy lines to link up with I Company, which is on the other side of the town. The advance was a success. Easy Company took Foy along with over 100 German prisoners.
Lieutenant Dike wasn’t a bad leader because he made bad decisions. He was a bad leader because he didn’t make any decisions. He failed to build relationships with the men he led. He was an empty suit on the battlefield. Speirs, on the other hand, was decisive. The men trusted him because he led from the front.
Washington is filled with people like Lieutenant Dike, empty suits just looking for personal advancement. When they speak, they say nothing. They have no plan of action. John Beatty is like Lieutenant Speirs. He has a plan of action and isn’t afraid to lead from the front.
Since meeting John, he has become like a brother to me. I would follow him through enemy lines and back again.
I want you to listen closely to the other candidates during the campaign. Do they have a plan, or are they just empty suits pointing fingers and filling the air with insults?
If you want a BOLD leader to reform the corruption in Washington, then please consider signing up to volunteer or donate at beattyfor.us.
Peace and Love,
Jeff Mayhugh