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[dmnrdn]

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 Infantry20Regiment, 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 is, 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 Ju ne, 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 who 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.
 
Chuck Yeager, MajGen. [ret.]   

[Dyna mite]

Semper fi..Rest in peace brother...

[JeffsHogPen]

Now that is a true hero..........gone but never forgotten.

[Dash Riprock]

Nice....makes me so proud to hear about these heroes and the sacrifice they made for all of us. The sad part is the lack of appreciation from todays generation. I fear the best of America is behind us.

Thanks for posting....

[9 1/2 Beers]

I don't know how to tell you how much reading this has broke me up. No one in my office has ever seen me cry before. There all asking me what's wrong with me. The fact that you would show so much repect in this day and ago impressed me very much.

 My father was airborne

 Served under Gen. Patton

 Thank you very much for this post

 Marty

 http://www.copthetruth.com/cop_the_truth/2009/07/shifty-powers-american-hero.html

 Dmnrdn    
  You have my repect and always will

[GregKhougaz]

Dmnrdn, 

        Ditto what Marty (110mofo) said.  This has been around the internet and that's great.  Literally gave me the chills to read.  Watched every minute of Band of Brother, read Ambrose's book and think both should be required of every high school student in the USA.  Thanks for sharing! 

        Also,  note the author, Chuck Yeager, MajGen.(ret.) .   Impressive story there as well. 

GK

[MD-Dave]

Goodbye to a Hero!  Thanks for posting this.  One thing to note though, Chuck Yeager did not write this story.  It was a man named Mark Pfeifer who met Shifty while working for Dow Jones.  Things always end up getting messed up on the Internet but the rest of the story is very true.  Shifty was a true American Hero and deserves more than he received in life and in death. It is through our words and actions that he, and so many others, will live forever.

[DICKW]

Great post, I have seen Band of Brothers more then once.

I too am Retired Military..And have nothing but respect for those who have served and continue to serve.


Rest in peace Shifty