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Subject: Band of Brothers Hero



I will do my part by sending this around. The least I can do for a great man.

There is nothing else to say

One of the "Band of Bro thers" 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 Bro thers 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 

Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. - Winston Churchill

You know what, I totally agree with your sentiments. These guys did what they were asked to do, and got very little thanks for doing it. I have been to the Arromanches anniversaries, and I think this year was the last official one quite simply because the ages of those remaining is making it difficult for them to travel.

I well recall one of the special coaches used to ferry the vets around, it was more of a mobile hospital. I spoke to several, and they were all absolute diamonds. No 'Look at me, I'm a hero', just quiet acceptance that the world moved on, and the knowledge that they were part of something so special that the memories lived with them every day for the rest of their lives.

The French express undying gratitude for the sacrifices that were made, and without these guys, the world would be a different place. We can all now live in peace, travel freely throughout Europe, and drink beer together.

..and its all thanks to guys like Shifty.

Rob G

when i was a kid my grandad took me to Arnhem a couple of times i didn't really understand what it was all about everyone was so nice to all these guys wearing suits polished shoes and red berets and people giving them hugs tea and cakes, my grandad took me around different houses telling me where he was and what he did in this house and that house, he even took me to the spot where he was wounded i think this is the reason why i joined up listening to all these fantastic tales, i still have his para smock that he wore when he jumped into Arnhem and his jump helmet and medals, we owe these brave souls so much that sometimes its easy to forget as time goes on.

i recently found out one of our club members grandad also fought in the Arnhem battles as a member of an armored SS unit that fought its way across the bridge as my grandad helped defend it, funny how things come full circule..................oz

My father was in the 101 Airborne, I know not which Regiment. He jumped on D Day and Market Garden, and fought at Bastogne. He absolutely forbade any of his 3 sons to join the military, and of course we all did. He and I never really got along, and for that I am truly sorry, as he had a fine mind and good memory. We talked twice when I was home on leave after the first 10 years of service, after getting somewhat well oiled. He told me pretty much all in those two talks, and I told him what I could. I understood him far better after the talks.
For my family, the second war was a civil war. My father was born literally 2 days off the boat, but his uncles and cousins stayed in Germany. Since the family has a long tradition of military service, of course the men joined and/or were conscripted. After the war he searched hard for any family left, but they were all gone.
I sincerely regret not having a tape recorder when he was talking, as he not only spoke of the war, just matter of fact, not that he was a hero although he has the Silver, the Bronze, and a Purple Heart amongst others, but he also told what it was like growing up in the '20's and '30's, how our culture and society was then. Those memories are now gone, as is he. Dad died in 2004, pretty healthy to the last. He never went to reunions and such, just pretty much put those years behind him, and went on to become a succesful business man.
Good speed, Shifty. Without your sacrifices and your generation's sacrifices, our world would not be what it is today.

R I P Shifty we owe our lives and freedom to guys like him and I am very grateful for what they did they will never be forgotten.
Stevie

I was privillaged to go to the veterans show in london a few years ago, at the time i had a couple of medals that my daughter insisted I wear, while looking at a spitfire on show, a group of young children came came up to me, one tapped me on the leg, and asked "Are you a hero" At first i was a little shocked, but with a tear in my eye, I pointed to a old gentleman, sitting on a bench quietly watching the people go by. "See that man over there, he's a hero not me" He wore a red beret, and I belive i saw amongst his medals a VC. Quiet, unassuming, yet proud. Men like him inspired me to join up, and for someone to put me at the same level touched my heart. Rest in peace Shifty and all your kind true heroes