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| Its fresh, but not too cold. Lake has been warming all summer for us. Photo series by David Stapleton. |
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| That's Ron Drez at far left, the absolute authority on this jump, coaching his recruits, mostly younger men, but the oldest aged 73 |
At the winding down of the European Theatre of Operations marked by VE Day, the entire 101st Airborne Division headquartered out of a beautiful Austrian town, Zell um See. Since we're closing down our World War II study trip re-tracing the activities of Easy Company, we drove there as well for our finale.
In the spring and summer of 1945, Easy Company was still in training, there was the unwelcome possibility of even more war in Japan, but in the meantime there was plenty of time for enjoying the gorgeous setting and especially the still, cold waters of the huge lake that is the town's centerpiece.
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| Dave wore a GoPro into the deep, capturing the action and a lot of churning water. |
If you've seen the HBO Band of Brothers series, you may recall Capt. Nixon and Major Dick Winters discussing future plans then taking a swim in the refreshing waters.
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| Stan conceded the towel to Greer, the oldest man in the water, but only by a couple of years. |
Today, under the guidance of Ron Drez, whose research, interviews and relationships with veterans like Winters helped form the factual foundation of the series, volunteers stripped down to re-enact the scene. Although most did not take the leap, we eventually put together a respectable representation.
On Ron's command, we jumped from the stone wall and plunged into the deep water, probably about 8 feet deep where we entered. Bubba and the other southerners amongst us had warned it would be a shock to the system. It was not. The northerners agreed it was no more more bracing than a Fourth of July dip in Lake Minnetonka.
We paddled about in the clear pool and then treaded water for the gaggle of photographers and some locals who had gathered to witness the event. We eventually emerged and dried off for the ride back to Berchtesgarden, thus forming our very own Band of Jumpers.
On Ron's command, we jumped from the stone wall and plunged into the deep water, probably about 8 feet deep where we entered. Bubba and the other southerners amongst us had warned it would be a shock to the system. It was not. The northerners agreed it was no more more bracing than a Fourth of July dip in Lake Minnetonka.
We paddled about in the clear pool and then treaded water for the gaggle of photographers and some locals who had gathered to witness the event. We eventually emerged and dried off for the ride back to Berchtesgarden, thus forming our very own Band of Jumpers.
We'll board our flight home in Munich tomorrow, if all goes well, Minneapolis by nightfall.
We're ready to come home.
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| A fine Band of Jumpers posed for the photographers. Hurry up. (See Patty on the end? A trooper) |
