He landed near a small village in Normandy, having no idea exactly where he was or who would be left. Scrambling through the night, he gathered who he could find and brought them to a nearby village. The sun rose on what remained of E company: few guns, little ammunition, and a handful of men. The commanding officer was missing. June 6, 1944 found Lieutenant Richard Winters on his path to destiny. He surveyed the scene, then shouldered his rifle.
"Follow me," he said.
Winters led them to knock out a German gun battery guarding a vital causeway. Stranded troops needed it to escape the beach and make for cover. The men of Easy Company followed him through one battle after another across Europe over many months, until they stood on top Hitler's mountain retreat, The Eagle's Nest. A simple lieutenant jumped from a plane above farm country in France, and fought his way to stand above the headquarters of a tyrant.
It all began in what could have been a disaster, but with two simple words. When life finds us stranded without soldiers, guns or a leader, we have a choice. We can wait for the end, or we can help others find their way to the mountain top. We can say,
"Follow me."
http://www.historynet.com/dick-winters-reflections-on-the-band-of-brothers-d-day-and-leadership.htm
