Band of Brothers Hero...

clayp · 07-12-09, 12:56 PM

One of the "Band of Brothers" soldiers died on June 17, 2009.

Harvey Shackelford

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

GoldenRivet · 07-12-09, 01:15 PM

A firm salute to shifty.

he has joined his happy few.

07-12-09, 02:30 PM

I wish this post was easier to read.

Fincuan · 07-12-09, 02:40 PM

Damn... I finished re-re-reading the book about half an hour ago, came online and saw this

SUBMAN1 · 07-12-09, 02:43 PM

It's not easy to read. Instead we honor a child molester when the only real damn things that matter was that guys like shifty lived.

-S

07-12-09, 02:55 PM

OK different fella
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8139909.stm

GoldenRivet · 07-12-09, 05:23 PM

its not easy to read because it is meant to resemble a "whisper".

because the true heroes are the ones who only speak whispers of their accolades.

is it too much work just to click and drag to highlight the text?

Max2147 · 07-12-09, 07:08 PM

I just watched the entire Band of Brothers miniseries last month with my friends. What those guys, along with all our other boys who fought in that war went through is really beyond belief.

bookworm_020 · 07-12-09, 11:05 PM

Soon the number of WW2 will be as few as the WW1 vets that still live. He may be gone but he'll never be forgotten!

07-12-09, 12:56 PM	#1
clayp The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,554 Downloads: 340 Uploads: 0	Band of Brothers Hero... One of the "Band of Brothers" soldiers died on June 17, 2009. Harvey Shackelford 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 __________________ clayp

07-12-09, 01:15 PM	#2
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	A firm salute to shifty. he has joined his happy few. __________________

07-12-09, 02:43 PM	#5
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's not easy to read. Instead we honor a child molester when the only real damn things that matter was that guys like shifty lived. -S __________________

07-12-09, 05:23 PM	#7
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	its not easy to read because it is meant to resemble a "whisper". because the true heroes are the ones who only speak whispers of their accolades. is it too much work just to click and drag to highlight the text? __________________

07-12-09, 11:05 PM	#9
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Soon the number of WW2 will be as few as the WW1 vets that still live. He may be gone but he'll never be forgotten! __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

07-12-09, 02:30 PM	#3
CastleBravo Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I wish this post was easier to read.

07-12-09, 02:40 PM	#4
Fincuan Admiral Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Suomi, sauna, puukko, perkele Posts: 2,346 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Damn... I finished re-re-reading the book about half an hour ago, came online and saw this

07-12-09, 02:55 PM	#6
Tribesman Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	OK different fella http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8139909.stm

07-12-09, 07:08 PM	#8
Max2147 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 714 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I just watched the entire Band of Brothers miniseries last month with my friends. What those guys, along with all our other boys who fought in that war went through is really beyond belief.