A Hero passes quietly...
- Thread starter HeloMedic1171
- Start date
bear creek outpost
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i still dont see a smile for a salute so how about a 21 gun salute /////////////////////
Shifty
Shifty was a special operator back in the day. But not in the modern way, but till a "special" operator.
I like to share stuff like this. Remember this warrior.
V
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.
Darrell “Shifty” Powers, one of the soldiers depicted in
“Band of Brothers,” passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
Shifty was a special operator back in the day. But not in the modern way, but till a "special" operator.
I like to share stuff like this. Remember this warrior.
V
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.
Darrell “Shifty” Powers, one of the soldiers depicted in
“Band of Brothers,” passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
Attachments
RIP Shifty. Mods, can someone merge here...
http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20532
http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20532
Done. I moved it under Military History. It took a little while, 'cause for some reason my screen got blurred for a while.
RIP Shifty. Take a knee and relax. You saved your buddies' asses all the time! You were a great American!
RIP, SSG Powers. Blue Skies, and Soft DZs.
LibraryLady
Verified Military
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 5,071
RIP Shifty.
Thank you for your service and the example you given us to follow.
LL
Thank you for your service and the example you given us to follow.
LL
Rest Well, Shifty. What a great example you gave for the rest of us to follow.
I too received this "chain email." If you've seen Band of Brothers, then you will recall how humble and soft spoken this hero was when interviewed about his accomplishments. He was truly an amazing man. To those that haven't seen the series; I highly suggest it. What a great story.
"And when he gets to heaven,
To Saint Peter he will tell,
Another soldier reporting sir,
I've served my time in hell."
RIP Shifty Powers
"And when he gets to heaven,
To Saint Peter he will tell,
Another soldier reporting sir,
I've served my time in hell."
RIP Shifty Powers
As uber lame as it may sound, I watched Band of Brothers before leaving for basic for motivation. I watch it at least once a year to remind me to strive to do our veterans justice. I have the highest respect for our past warriors.
