Record Number of Band of Brothers Actors to Attend 2015 Reunion in Normandy, France marking the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II. Proceeds of events to benefit the mission of the non-profit World War II Foundation Kingston, Rhode Island.
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More than 20 actors from Band of Brothers, one of the most-watched programs in television history, are expected to gather in Normandy, France in early June to recognize the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and help raise money for the non-profit mission of the World War II Foundation. (www.wwiifoundation.org)
“We anticipate it will be the largest gathering of Band of Brothers actors since the series premiered at Utah Beach in Normandy in 2001,” according to World War II Foundation Chairman Tim Gray.
“We held a similar event in 2014 in Normandy with nine of the actors in remberance of the 70th anniversary of D-Day,” Gray said.
“It was a great success for our foundation and the actors really enjoyed their time with their fans, so we decided we would do just one more and that’s when many of the other actors who couldn’t be in Normandy last June stepped up right away and said they also wanted to be a part of these events with the fans of the television series,” Gray continued.
“Some of the most familiar faces from the TV series will be joining us this June,” Gray continued. “The response from the actors has been over-whelming. They really enjoyed meeting fans of the television series last June and exploring the history of Normandy in World War II,” Gray emphasized. “They get to do both while in Normandy and also really help our foundation and its mission of preserving the stories of the World War II generation,” Gray said.
Get your reunion T shirts here: Band of Brother Actors Reunion 2015
“For many of the actors, playing the actual soldiers from Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division, was the pivotal moment of their careers. Those who were lucky enough formed close bonds with the men they portrayed and remain close with those veterans who are still alive. They really became like family to the soldiers they portrayed. They still get very emotional when speaking about the Men of Easy they played in Band of Brothers.”
There are several events planned, including two major gatherings on the nights of June 5th (at the Overlord Museum at Omaha Beach) and June 6th (Utah Beach Museum). The actors will also hold autograph signings at the Hotel Villa-Lara in Bayeux, Normandy on June 4th at 5PM and at the Utah Beach Museum at 11:30 AM on June 7th-no reservations needed.
There is a ten euro per person fee for autographs at both events and Band of Brothers Actors Reunion 2015 posters are also available for 20 euros, with all profits benefitting the 501(c)(3) WWII Foundation.
The actors will also lay a wreath at the Richard D. Winters Leadership Monument on the morning of June 7th. Winters was the commanding officer of E-Company for much of WWII. All the events are open to the public and tickets for the two night events can be purchased at www.wwiifoundation.org
“This will be the last reunion we hold in Normandy for the actors,” Gray said.
“It will be a great event like it was in 2014, just many times bigger and many more actors,” Gray emphasized.
Band of Brothers Actors Who Plan to Be in Normandy in June:
Douglas Spain-Antonio Garcia
Scott Grimes-Don Malarkey
James Madio-Frank Perconte
Ross McCall-Joe Liebgott
Rick Gomez-George Luz
Bart Ruspoli-Ed Tipper
William Tapley-British Tank Commander
Frank John Hughes-“Wild” Bill Guarnere
Robin Laing-“Babe” Heffron
Peter Youngblood Hills-“Shifty” Powers
Eion Bailey-David Webster
George Calil-“Mo” Alley
Philip Barantini-Wayne “Skinny” Sisk
Stephen McCole-“Moose” Heyliger
Shane Taylor-”Doc” Roe
Mark Lawrence-William Dukeman
Ben Caplan-”Smokey” Gordon
Nick Aaron-”Popeye” Wynn
All proceeds raised benefit the non-profit World War II Foundation and its mission of preserving the stories of the WWII generation.
You can get your tickets here: WWII Foundation
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