In Memory of Darrell "Shifty" Powers

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I received an email from my oldest son today about this. I agree totally with the guy that originated the call for an "Online Memorial Service"! You'll understand when you read further! I urge you to copy it and send it to all you think may care (and maybe some that don't but should). Give a true hero his due! Godspeed Shifty! Godspeed! and thank you and all the "Band of Brothers" from that war. I salute you, sir!

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Memorial Service: you're invited.

 

 

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 qu ietly 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.

 

Then, 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 knew exactly where Normandy was, and I knew 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, 24/7 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

[Squidley]

Very sad indeed, the greatest generation is disappearing before our eyes, were too busy to acknowledge it. I have my fathers, father-in-law still with us and still very sharp. He landed on Omaha beach on Dday, I am fortunate enough that he talks with me about it. It fills my soul with tears to hear of what they went through. God Bless all our heros and the greatest generation that have served the USA.

[kenw]

Very sad in more ways than one! I guess real heros aren't newsworthy anymore. He probably couldn't moon walk. I have sent this on to evryone on my mailing list. Gos Speed Shifty!!!

[Snarley Bill]

i now have another hero to add to my list. rest in peace shifty.

[Wanderer]

Thank you Shifty and all the heroes that preceded you and all the heroes that followed and are following. RIP and God bless.

[Guest seuadr]

it's sad that the general public can't remember sacrafices by people like Darrell Powers. Without people willing to lay down their lives for our freedoms and ideals, we wouldn't be left with either.I have great respect for anyone who fights for our country. i hope that many people will read that letter and remember the sacrifices made by ordinary men who stepped into extrodinary circumstances.

 

Rest in Peace.

 

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.

Winston Churchill

 

"I have returned many times to honour the valiant men who died…every man who set foot on Omaha Beach was a hero."

Lieutenant General Omar Bradley - Commander of the US First Army

 

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http://img4.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/4320/432094423f3eaf053177d7967a3a6c86ba2de20.jpg

[Aussie Annie]

Rest in Peace, Shifty.......and thank you for your service and courage.

[RandyR]

May the future generation of Americans earn the sacrifice you made for us.

[loadmaster]

being in the patriot guard, im aware of the passing of many ww2 vets,but i didnt hear about shiftys passing, and that is truly sad and not right. With the thanks of a grateful nation, i would just like to say, At ease, Sgt Powers, your tour of duty is over