A nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers

**Moirlend** · 07-29-2009, 06:14 PM

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 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 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 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.]

**crashdive123** · 07-29-2009, 06:31 PM

While it is a shame that many of these heroes do not recieve the recognition they so rightfully deserve, that email was probably not sent around by Chuck Yeager. I do agree with the sentiment though.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/milit...iftypowers.asp

**Ken** · 07-29-2009, 06:36 PM

*bows head a bit choked up* Thank you for your service, Shifty.

**pocomoonskyeyes** · 07-29-2009, 07:06 PM

Full tears in my eyes,THANK YOU and all who have served.

**Pal334** · 07-29-2009, 07:47 PM

RIP Shifty

**Sourdough** · 07-29-2009, 08:03 PM

Wow....that was powerful.

**Rick** · 07-29-2009, 08:14 PM

Then

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Tom Brockaw called them "The Greatest Generation". That might have been an understatement. Every person's father or grandfather is reflected in those eyes.

**pgvoutdoors** · 07-29-2009, 08:19 PM

Semper Fi and God Bless You Shifty.

**doug1980** · 07-29-2009, 08:24 PM

Out of all the brave men and women who have fought for this country WWII vets are my greatest heros. I have watched Band of Brothers over 100 times and it never loses it's luster. Shifty never got injured during the entire war but was injured on his way home from Europe by a drunk driver. The world has lost a great war hero and a great man.