Dalmas Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I received the following email and couldn't find earlier postings here and thought it would be fitting. I've had the fortune to meet many of the guys during numeruos trips to Normandy around 6th of June. RIP Darrell "Shifty" Powers. ------------------------------------------ SENDER'S NOTE: As I hear and read of the fallen heroes and then read and hear of all the publicity given to an individual who took but never gave nor sacrificed for the country he lived in and then think of those who lost their lives and those who are crippled and suffering today as a result of their service, it makes me wonder why so many of us placed ourselves in harms way and never recognized or welcomed home. My original outfit of Combat Engineers, 175 strong, only 13 to 15 came home. I was 1 of them, but reassigned to a specially trained unit for special missions. CFR For God, Country & You, Subject: Band of Brothers Hero One of the "Band of Brothers" soldiers died on June 17, 2009. 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapzter Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 If not for him, and people like him, I might have grown up speaking german. RIP Shifty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Suber Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Anyone who has not read the book "Band of Brothers" really needs to. The series was excellent but the book provides a little more insight to each of the soldiers in Easy Company. Truly American heroes. How sad that our society forgets these men who made such sacrifices.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 (edited) RIP Shifty and God bless our veterans. EDIT for a huge spelling blunder... Edited July 18, 2009 by HSMITH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neomet Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 RIP Shifty. While it seems many here forget the sacrifices of these great men they are certainly remembered by many others. I was contacted a couple years ago by someone living in Scotland who told me about how as a very young boy he grew up outside Mt. Pantano in Italy when the 34th Infantry had come through. My dad had fought there and he wanted me thank my dad for everything they had done. He actually flew to last year's reunion of the 34th and was so sad when I told him that dad had passed and he wouldn't be able to thank him personally. Thank a vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uscbigdawg Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 The guys from E/506th were true warriors. Jumped in on D-Day and took the Eagles' Nest leading to VE Day, surving Bastogne, Carentaan after getting through Taccoa. Just incredible and to be a part of the US in WWII when somewhere around 1 million people volunteered to go to war, compared to today is simply a different time and a different world. RIP Airborne! All the way! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glockcomma Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 It is hard to write a response with my eyes welled up with tears. It's so sad that the great generation is rapidly leaving us, they have values that are so desperately needed today. My dad will be turning 90 in Oct. goes to Yoga classes and is doing pretty good. He to was at Eagles Nest near the end of the war, he actually stole the knobs out of Hitlers shower but doesn't know where they ended up. To bad that would be a pretty cool conversation piece. My 16 year old son who has watched Band of Brothers about 20 times and is somewhat of a war historian will be sad to hear this news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el pres Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 (edited) 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 God bless Shifty now I have a lump in my throat ... Edited July 17, 2009 by P.Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Ho Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 The few WWII vets I've been able to talk to have impressed me by having one thing in common. They didn't think about the fact they were making sacrifices. They simply did what needed to be done. God bless and keep our troops. Past, present and future. Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINGMEN10 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I received the following email and couldn't find earlier postings here and thought it would be fitting. I've had the fortune to meet many of the guys during numeruos trips to Normandy around 6th of June. RIP Darrell "Shifty" Powers.------------------------------------------ SENDER'S NOTE: As I hear and read of the fallen heroes and then read and hear of all the publicity given to an individual who took but never gave nor sacrificed for the country he lived in and then think of those who lost their lives and those who are crippled and suffering today as a result of their service, it makes me wonder why so many of us placed ourselves in harms way and never recognized or welcomed home. My original outfit of Combat Engineers, 175 strong, only 13 to 15 came home. I was 1 of them, but reassigned to a specially trained unit for special missions. CFR For God, Country & You, Subject: Band of Brothers Hero One of the "Band of Brothers" soldiers died on June 17, 2009. 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 I applaud you for your thoughts and I envy you for the time you got to spend in the presence of Honor. It is times like this that help people stop for a moment and allow ourselves to be thankful, not only for the guys like Shifty, but also those who will die today, tomorrow and so on..Heroes from not only our distant history but recent history. Having spent enough time in enough places that people do not want to go, I can tell you, keep Shifty and the next Shifty in your thoughts everyday. Take a moment to think of those who have served and those who are. "Clear Skies and Soft Landings , my Brother". Threads like this make me proud to be among you. Airborne, T-VS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eerw Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 It is times like this that help people stop for a moment and allow ourselves to be thankful, not only for the guys like Shifty, but also those who will die today, tomorrow and so on..Heroes from not only our distant history but recent history. +1.. a local soldier was killed in Afghanistan a few days ago during an attack on his unit. his fourth tour..3 in Iraq,1 in Afghanistan. two bronze stars, 1 purple heart already. makes you take pause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eerw Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 (edited) Darrell 'Shifty' Powers Edited July 17, 2009 by eerw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 God speed, Shifty. Thanks to all who serve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentlemanJim Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 All Men are diminished by the loss of such a Man Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Sierpina Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 The few WWII vets I've been able to talk to have impressed me by having one thing in common. They didn't think about the fact they were making sacrifices. They simply did what needed to be done. J-Ho, I'm fortunate to still have my dad around. He's 88 and served on destroyer escorts....little tin cans. Did convoy duty in the North Atlantic. His brother, that passed away last October, was a Pearl Harbor Survivor. I believe he was on shore batteries. You're right, they did what needed to be done. They're indeed the "Greatest Generation". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 All Men are diminished by the loss of such a Man Jim Yes,...and raised up, by his having existed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gameplayer Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 It's so sad that the great generation is rapidly leaving us, they have values that are so desperately needed today. My Father-in-law (whose own brother was killed on D-Day) was just speaking of this last week. He turned to his wife and told her "I'm glad that we have lived and seen the best of this country". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffwalsh Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Sad news. RIP Shifty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Sierpina Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 My Father-in-law (whose own brother was killed on D-Day) was just speaking of this last week. He turned to his wife and told her "I'm glad that we have lived and seen the best of this country". It's funny and sad, but, I've heard similar comments from many of their generation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el pres Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 (edited) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v00GvyOJTLI&NR=1\ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OTwjkGD4ng...feature=related Edited July 18, 2009 by P.Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRider Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Rest in peace, Shifty. I thank God for men like Shifty that have preserved our freedom and those that are still fighting for our freedom today. Hurley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandtime Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Rest In Peace Shifty I have watched the BOB movie countless times as well as read the book cover to cover twice and each time it moves me at what these men did for our freedom. They are truly the Greatest Generation!! Just to knowthat they fought through WWII draws respect. Tto read and comprehende everything that they went through to accomplish victory is mind blowing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffl Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Rest in Peace Sgt. Powers your Country owes you a great debt of gratitude. It's men like you that make your generation "The Greatest Generation" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Even war heroes have their time... I'm gonna throw the DVD in to remember him and celebrate his contributions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nm3gnr Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 God Speed Shifty WE will always remember ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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