JacobS
08-09-2009, 01:24 AM
I got this e-mail from a friend today to pass around. Feel free...... I did. God Bless him.
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
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