I will never understand how we can honor the likes of michael jackson and ignore men such as this. mr. j's theory is that the media and hollywood do not want to remind people that those who stand in harm's way are not the bad guys. he may have something.
Thank you Mustang for writing this tribute. To the family of Staff Sgt. "Shifty" Powers, our never ending thanks for this man's service and my deepest condolences.
One of my personal favorite parts of "Band of Brothers" are the interviews with these heroes. I remember after the surrender of German forces, Sgt Powers talked in his interview about how he felt that, under different circumstances, he could have been good friends with the German soldiers and shared much in common with them.
Such a beautiful example of how young men from common communities across this nation rose to the uncommon challenges involved in defending freedom. "The Greatest Generation" was a gift in their day, but let us not forget, that to this day, we still produce great young people who rise to the challenges we face, and do so with honor. God Bless the all, past and present.
We may never be able to repay the debt we owe, but we can offer our deepest gratitude and respect to those who fought for us and for something greater than themselves.
You do that here.
Rest now, in sweet peace, Staff Sergeant Powers. We thank you for your service.
Received this in a e-mail-Author unknown.
We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.
I would like 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 24 x 7 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.
Its because of men like this, who for devotion to country and comrades, put their life's on the line and suffered hardships and crippling wounds, that we walkn as free men and women.
We truly stand on the shoulders of giants!
May God grant you rest, Staff Sergeant Powers.
We can never repay our debt of gratitude to men like Staff Sergeant Powers...
So true.
And real heroes don't require big flashy tributes -- only our respect and remembrance.
Of course, one would think that someone made famous by Hollywood would have gotten at least some brief attention in the mainstream media, if not a TV special. **sigh**
This is a beautiful tribute to one who so deserves it.
How wonderful it would be if children of today could know and feel what a true hero really is.
Thank you Mustang for this. I watched Band of Brothers with Mr. Pris, more than once, just to reclaim a time of honor and love for America and her heroes, by all Americans.
God Bless Staff Sargeant Powers and his Band of Brothers. God Bless them all.
Mustang, an outstanding post about an outstanding man. America always seems to be able to reach deep down and come up with heroes such as SSgt Powers.
Thanks for a touching tribute.
Good job sir. The video was quite moving too.
What a REAL great Hero....Sgt. Shifty Powers! I had two older brothers who fought in WW2 and they were my heroes. I've just added another.
Thanks for the story.
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