Chavez Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 So, I received this email... 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, 2009 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. Smelling a fish, I snopes'ed it and both Powers passing and the airport story air true. So a moment for an American hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 apparently, this is the guy who played him on band of brothers. 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. gotta say, mine got pretty close just reading it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Wow... great find Chavez! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gopher Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 God bless Shifty, and God bless America!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBunz Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Wow.....just wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Rest in peace, Shifty. And a big thank you from this American citizen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Wow... great find Chavez! +1 God bless Shifty, and God bless America!!! +1,000,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 The great find was my wife's, she forwarded it to me. I just did the due diligence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonorator Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Wow.....just wow. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 :salute: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 That is enough to put a lump in your throat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'canes2004 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Awesome story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Here's another . Great story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Why, through all the bickering and posturing that goes on here and elsewhere about the state of our country, we should all remember that we are, indeed, one: Americans. God Bless Shifty Powers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alchico Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 God Bless Shifty. God Bless America. :flag: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31929477#31929477 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FWmaker Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Yeah, someone e-mailed it to me as well. I don't usually pass on e-mails. But I made an exception here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Yeah, someone e-mailed it to me as well. I don't usually pass on e-mails. But I made an exception here. Same here. Having seen the series numerous times this put a big lump in my throat. I'm glad to have gotten to hear his story & feel I'm better for it. It's truly a shame not more people know who he is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 (edited) I nearly missed this one. Edited July 18, 2009 by Skippy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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