Darrell "Shifty" Powers

[RP#62]

Don't know the authenticity but thought I'd pass along. -RP

 
Darrell "Shifty" Powers was buried on June 20, 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.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

"A nation without heroes is nothing."
Roberto Clemente

[BudMan]

Here is a link for anyone wanting more information on "Shifty" and the other members of the unit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_Company,_506th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  The Gallant Men

Down through the years
There have been men
Brave gallant men who have died
That others might be free

And even now, they do it still
Brave gallant men know that
Someone must and so they will

Gallant men have built us a nation
Passed us a torch of flame
Let us hold it high
And light up the sky
With praise of our gallant men

Tyrants must know, now just as then
They cannot stand, not as long
As there are gallant men

Our gallant men
Have built us a nation
Passed us a torch of flame
Let us hold it high
And light up the sky
With praise of our gallant men

Tyrants must know, now just as then
They cannot stand, not as long
As there are gallant men
Gallant, gallant men


Lyrics by: John Cacavas *, Charles Osgood *

[solo1]

My sons bought me the collection of "Band Of Brothers".  I have watched it four times.  Although I wasn't in combat in Korea, in my opinion, this is one of the best documentaries (is that the right word?) about WWII. 

The interviews with the real members of the 101st were especially great.

"Shifty" Powers, like all of them, was very humble about what he did.

Celebrities and politicians should take note (but they won't)

R.I.P "Shifty"

[3fan4life]

The following is from a Bristol, VA/TN newspaper:

Powers, a Dickenson County native, died June 17, 2009 at age 86 following a battle with cancer.

Bravery – and dignity – was a constant, running thread in the life of “Shifty” Powers, both during and after his life as an Army sharpshooter in the actual “Band of Brothers.”

During the war, he fought brutal battles against the German army across France and Belgium.

After the war, Powers served as an eloquent representative for the men he fought with: At one point during the “Band of Brothers” mini-series, he appeared on camera to talk in moving, humane fashion about his grim but necessary task during the war – killing the enemy.


The entire article:
http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/band_of_brothers_hero_darrell_swifty_powers_dies/25556/



The debt that we owe these men is one that we can never repay...............


The experience in his own words: (note, for some reason the website link will not go directly to the proper page. If you would like to read it click on the search button and "search" for Shifty Powers.)

http://www.normandy1944.info/veterans/shifty_powers.html

Thank you Mr. Powers and may God Bless you.


And thank you RP for posting this..... It really makes a person think.