RIP Darrell "Shifty" Powers

[G27]

Subject: Memorial Service: you're invited.

We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.

I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers.

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company

of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne

Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel,

you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty

himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't

know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having

trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was

at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle", the symbol of the

101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or

if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I

thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many

jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so,

and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . " at which point my heart

skipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps

at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where

Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day

was. At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland ,

into Arnhem ." I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I

realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said "Yes.

And it's real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and

those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my

throat and I didn't know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in

Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to

get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came

forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it,

that I'd take his in coach.

He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still

some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old

man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are

brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center .

No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that's not right.

Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet

way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the

veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

"A nation without heroes is nothing."

(Roberto Clemente)

[BigPoppa]

Godspeed Shifty

[Guest SUNTZU]

Godspeed, Sir, and Thank YOU!

[Chucktshoes]

God Bless you Shifty.

Thank you.

[Guest Major Pain]

Godspeed Shifty and Thank You.--MP

[Paletiger13]

Thank you sir for your service and our freedom. Godspeed

You will not be forgotten.

[E4 No More]

RIP Shifty. Thank you for all that you and your brothers did for us.

[Guest Ghostrider]

God bless Shifty Powers, and all those who served and saved democracy for the world.

Let us not forget what they sacrificed, what they endured, and what it was all about.

I will honor Shiftys memory by exercising the rights that he fought so hard, and so well, for me to enjoy.

As an aside, apparently Shifty was a crack shot, being the "designated sniper/countersniper" for Easy Co of the 506th PIR. Here's a bit more in his own words.

D-Day, Normandy and beyond

Godspeed sir, and thank you for everything.

[R1100R]

REST IN PEACE SHFTY! CURRAHEE!!!

[Punisher84]

RIP Shifty.

[TripleDigitRide]

RIP, Shifty!

Bless all our of service people - past, present & future. Thank you for your service!

[Guest Swamprunner]

Good feller. God bless. I'm speechless.

[Kegger]

God speed Shifty!!!

Thanks for what you have done for all of us!

[Guest Bluemax]

Staff Sargeant Darrel Powers finally recieved some well deserved recognizion this evening on MSNBC, reportably because of a mass email sent out by retired Major General Chuck Yeager. If you can watch or preferably read " Band of Brothers" and not shed a tear for the honor and bravery of these men, you don't have a drop a patriotic blood in your veins. Shifty got a 30 second spot for his sacrifices, Michael Jackson is still on. Says a lot for our values doesn't it ?

Currahee Shifty!!

[Motasyco]

[BrandonTN]

RIP Shifty...you, along with every member of our armed forces are more of a hero than any celebrity will ever be.

[Guest mustangdave]

I'm feeling the "pangs" this morning...I saw the 30second NBC News segment on Shifty last night....and got choked up. I'd glossed over this thread a couple of times, but this morning I had to say something. RIP Shifty...RIP Granpa Dutch...Dutch served as a Gunnersmate in WWII escorting convoys across the Atlantic to Great Britain, and from Great Britain to Russia braving the COLD and the Nazi WOLFPACKS

[Guest tonybon]

Thank you sir! Currahee Shifty!

[deerslayer]

[Guest Rugerman]

God Bless him.

[LagerHead]

Staff Sargeant Darrel Powers finally recieved some well deserved recognizion this evening on MSNBC, reportably because of a mass email sent out by retired Major General Chuck Yeager. If you can watch or preferably read " Band of Brothers" and not shed a tear for the honor and bravery of these men, you don't have a drop a patriotic blood in your veins. Shifty got a 30 second spot for his sacrifices, Michael Jackson is still on. Says a lot for our values doesn't it ?

Currahee Shifty!!

You beat me to it Blue. I was going to say basically the same thing. While the guys in Easy Company were definitely an awesome bunch, they were only a tiny representation of the brave men and women who give so much every single day to ensure our freedoms. God bless Shifty and everyone who has served and continues to serve our great nation. God bless America.

[texfrazer]

RIP Shifty...you, along with every member of our armed forces are more of a hero than any celebrity will ever be.

Amen!

RIP Shifty

[Guest FroggyOne2]

I found this story that everyone might like to read.. CMP - First Shot Online!

[Guest SUNTZU]

I found this story that everyone might like to read.. CMP - First Shot Online!

Thanks for this.

[Moped]

Thanks for sharing that story. My eyes are wet from reading it. Our society has so lost it's direction when men like Powers die without any recognition for their service and others, who have have done nothing for our country except denigrate it, continue to be honored. It makes me feel ashamed.