WHEREAS, Mr. Edward “Babe” Heffron and Mr. Bill Guarnere were both brought up in South Philadelphia, married young women and raised their families in the neighborhood, and lived just one parish from each other. Yet they never knew each other until the E Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment brought them together at the start of World War II; and
WHEREAS, E Company, which was brought into combat on D-Day, fought in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Austria. Their courage and heroism became the subject of
Band of Brothers
, a best-selling book by Stephen E. Ambrose. Now, the book has been transformed into a major “mini-series” produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, and Sergeant Bill Guarnere and Private First Class Edward Heffron are key characters; and
WHEREAS, E Company was reputed to be a crack fighting unit whose members were part of an elite, all-volunteer outfit because of their brains, stamina and courage. They may have felt like all the other soldiers, but they were different, a unique and loyal “band of brothers;” and
WHEREAS, After the war, Edward “Babe” Heffron and Bill Guarnere became separated, but not for long. Babe found his old platoon sergeant in months, and once he found him, they became inseparable, and so it was that the two friends came to Hatfield, England, where the film was being shot. They met the actors, collaborated on the details, and will be guests in France with other E Company veterans; and
WHEREAS, Bill Guarnere and Edward “Babe” Heffron are getting used to being famous. It has not changed their sense of humor, their humility, their sadness for the loss of their comrades or their great spirit of true friendship. They are a credit to America, to Philadelphia and to their community; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,. That we hereby honor and commend Edward “Babe” Heffron and Bill Guarnere. We thank them for what they have been to America and for what they mean to us today.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this Resolution be presented to Mr. Edward “Babe” Heffron and Mr. Bill Guarnere as evidence of the sincere admiration and lasting respect of this legislative body.
End