howardwhite 6 #1 July 13, 2009 This note from Maj.Gen. Chuck Yeager has been circulating around among military aviators and jumpers, with the hope it will be distributed more widely. QuoteWe'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. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybill 22 #2 July 13, 2009 Hi Howard, That's quite a post for quite a guy!! Perhaps if anybody's interested, a "missing man sunset formation load" at the DZ this weekend (your DZ, My DZ, any DZ) may be in order. The 4th of july just passed so maybe Labor Day weekend would be a good one, any weekend. We can post photos here. Just a passing thought.SCR-2034, SCS-680 III%, Deli-out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roccoflys 0 #3 July 13, 2009 wow. my eyes are full of tears, my heart full of honor. thank you for posting this... band of brothers changed me in a way i can't describe... and gave me a much better understanding of these men and their sacrifice. again, thank you for sharing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScottyE 0 #4 July 13, 2009 I'm going to post this on my facebook page for all my friends to see Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
namgrunt 0 #5 July 13, 2009 THANK YOU HOWARD THAT WAS A CLASS THING TO DO AS FOR SHIFTY HE CAN BE AT REST FALL OUT TROOPER59 YEARS,OVERWEIGHT,BALDIND,X-GRUNT LAST MIL. JUMP VIET-NAM(QUAN-TRI) www.dzmemories.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #6 July 13, 2009 Wow. How sad, yet wonderfully inspiring. Blue skies, Shifty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jammindave 0 #7 July 14, 2009 thanks for putting things in perspective Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #9 July 14, 2009 I just recieved an email from the CPI email list. I am glad I found this post. It is sad that a true hero who helped to save people who he never knew went out without even a word in most of the news. http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/208832Divot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #10 July 15, 2009 Wow I mourn his passing. Too bad most of our country could not give a shit and yet held MJ as such a hero and icon. Heroes are not athletes, they are not actors, they are not scientists, they are not politicians. They are people who were thrust into something they could not or would not avoid. We are lucky that people like these ever existed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lenzo 0 #11 July 15, 2009 Howard thanks so much for posting this I would have never found out about his passing.He is a true hero along with all those other men and women in WWII.My grandfather was killed in normandy rite after they landed on the beach he is buried there in france in a town I cannot spell but hope to visit one day.If anyone out there has not seen band of brothers go out and rent the series it will open your eyes I promise you.With the main stream media not reporting on this it just goes to show how screwed up it is.Smile,pull,land Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #12 July 19, 2009 Thank you for sharing that. ...and to you Shifty Powers: Currahee! Stands Alone! -SGT Maxwell Ramsey C/1/506 IN 101 ABNSo I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites