A Silent Reunion – Easy Company Veterans 2004.
“In the Company of Heroes” depicts an event from December 2004 when members of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment visited the Luxembourg American Cemetery where many of their fallen comrades are buried. Originally released by Valor Studios, the legend on the bottom of the print reads… “On a cold December day, veterans of the Battle of the Bulge reunite at the American cemetery in Luxembourg. Here, guarded by tall pines, rest the mortal remains of some 5,000 American boys who died fighting to liberate Europe. As the veterans reflect amidst the gently falling snow, their welling emotions confirm their often-stated belief: “The real heroes never came home.” Here, they feel a presence, a warmth amidst the cold. Something tells them they are not alone and this silent reunion is not the last.”
The Story
Seen here are Earl McClung, Bill Guarnere, Babe Heffron, and Don Malarkey. Don is kneeling at the grave of his close friend, Skip Muck. Skip was killed along with Alex Penkala when their foxhole took a direct hit during a German artillery barrage in January 1945. The group went silent as they remembered their friends. In turn, on the right side of the painting we see the ghosted images of comrades who did not return from the war: John Julian, Skip Muck, Alex Penkala and other lost members of Easy Company. The men later agreed that their time in the cemetery, as captured in the artwork, was one of their most emotional moments since leaving Europe in 1945.
Behind the Art
Wild Bill and Babe
Wild Bill and Babe’s enduring friendship has in many ways become a symbol of the bond between the Band of Brothers. The men had grown up a few blocks from each other in South Philadelphia but did not meet unit Babe was assigned to Easy Company after the invasion of Normandy. They soldiered together through the war until Wild Bill was evacuated after he lost his leg to a German artillery shell. Post-war, the two reunited and were famous for not going a day without seeing or calling each other. Sadly, both men have now passed away.
Don Malarkey
Don Malarkey was born in Astoria, Oregon in 1921, drafted in 1942 when he volunteered for parachute training and was one of the ‘Toccoa’ men and original members of Easy Company. Having served with the company for the duration of the war in Europe and never seriously wounded, Malarkey is credited with serving more consecutive time on the front lines than any other member of the company.
The Battle of the Bulge
Rushed in to stem the flow of German assault forces, the 101st Airborne was responsible for blocking the vital crossroads in Bastogne, forcing the enemy to bypass the junction and surround the American division. The stand at Bastogne has become legendary and many of the men who lost their lives holding the line against incredible odds are buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery.
Project Details
Faithfully reproduced from the original artwork, In the Company of Heroes by Matt Hall, depicts veterans of the 101st Airborne Division paying their respects to fallen comrades at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.
Editions
- Originally printed by Valor Studios:
- 500 Main Editions
- 360 Victory Editions
- 190 Artist Proofs
- 160 Publisher Proofs
- Open Edition
- Each print is hand-signed by the artist
- Each print includes a Certificate of Authenticity
Lithograph
- This limited edition lithograph is printed on acid-free, archival quality, 100 lb. stock
- Print size: 31″ x 19″
- All prints are sold unframed
- Print color may vary from screen color
Purchase
Matt has a limited number of Open Editions of this print. Please contact us for availability.