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Started By
Message
Band of Brothers hero dies
Posted on 7/14/09 at 6:54 pm
Posted on 7/14/09 at 6:54 pm
I found this today. Anyone who has watched Band of Brothers will remember Darrell "Shifty" Powers. He was in every episode and was one of the real life Easy Company members interviewed before several episodes.
One of the "Band of Brothers" soldiers died on June 17, 2009.
We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services for such as Michael Jackson. 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 24/7 news coverage.
No weeping fans on television.
And that's not right.
Rest in peace, Shifty.
"A nation without heroes is nothing." Roberto Clemente
One of the "Band of Brothers" soldiers died on June 17, 2009.
We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services for such as Michael Jackson. 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 24/7 news coverage.
No weeping fans on television.
And that's not right.
Rest in peace, Shifty.
"A nation without heroes is nothing." Roberto Clemente
Posted on 7/14/09 at 7:04 pm to Triple6Rebel
quote:
PIC?
He was the soft spoken guy they rigged the vote to go home for in "Points."
Posted on 7/14/09 at 7:06 pm to Triple6Rebel
Posted on 7/14/09 at 7:06 pm to 80sTiger
Prayers to his family. MJ gets all the press for entertainment and this guy gets next to nothing for risking his life for freedom.
Posted on 7/14/09 at 7:08 pm to TideHater
Oh the real life guy died! I thought the guy from Office space died. fail by me..
Posted on 7/14/09 at 7:08 pm to TideHater
I got that email today as well.
God Bless you Shifty
God Bless you Shifty
Posted on 7/14/09 at 7:22 pm to SDTiger15
quote:
I got that email today as well.
Brought tears to your eyes,didn't it?
Posted on 7/14/09 at 7:31 pm to 80sTiger
"Only the dead see the end of war". RIP
Posted on 7/14/09 at 7:46 pm to 80sTiger
I got that email the other day. He was a true American Hero, and never once thought that he was one.
R.I.P., Shifty!
R.I.P., Shifty!
Posted on 7/14/09 at 8:24 pm to IonaTiger
quote:
He was a true American Hero, and never once thought that he was one.
I find that is true with most real heroes.. especially the WWII veterans.
Posted on 7/14/09 at 8:26 pm to GeauxLSUSam
quote:
GeauxLSUSam
stalking you
Posted on 7/14/09 at 8:30 pm to BlackHelicopterPilot
Hey you
Are you online on FB?
Are you online on FB?
This post was edited on 7/14/09 at 8:31 pm
Posted on 7/14/09 at 8:32 pm to GeauxLSUSam
quote:
Are you online on FB?
logging in now
Posted on 7/14/09 at 8:35 pm to BlackHelicopterPilot
American hero. God Bless...
Posted on 7/14/09 at 8:39 pm to BlackHelicopterPilot
quote:
logging in now
Get on YM, my FB is acting crazy.
Posted on 7/14/09 at 8:45 pm to 80sTiger
quote:
I found this today. Anyone who has watched Band of Brothers will remember Darrell "Shifty" Powers. He was in every episode and was one of the real life Easy Company members interviewed before several episodes.
I just found out recently that my girl friends grandfather was part of the East Company. He flew the gliders at Normandy. Died of cancer I believe.
The odd thing about him was that he never told his son any of the stories. His son found out by overhearing his dad talking low to one of his war buddies.
It wasn't until after he died that the son found all the war medals and such.
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