OT - The Funeral You Didn't Hear About

.manny · Jul 16, 2009

wow thats wild, he lived really close to me and i didn't have a clue. The world could use more guys like this.

plymouth1952 · Jul 16, 2009

A true hero. I lost a friend James,B,Thompsom this year He was 75. He went to Korea
an E ****ing 1 and came home a capt ! all field promotions stayed in the corps for 30 years, a few and proud till the day he p***ed. to all vets like myself thank you and we will not be forgotton !

rodknocker · Jul 16, 2009

Tman said: ↑

Please do not forget the past, study it. We will have another episode like these boys went through.............unfortunately. RIP to all of the Greatest that we lose daily. It breaks my heart that ..................ah **** it.............
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God Bless You Shifty,,

Tman, its coming a lot sooner than most think.

DMFB · Jul 16, 2009

I recieved a link to this the other day from my father in law. Shifty was the real deal, an absolute selfless individual. A true hero! RIP and Thank You!

biscaynes · Jul 16, 2009

rat bastad said: ↑

WOW what a story......

Were 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 youve 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 didnt know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, ***ured 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 hed 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 wa s 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 its real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them cant make the trip. My heart was in my throat and I didnt know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Cl***. 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 Id 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 b******* 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 thats not right.

Lets 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.
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saw this posted on another site also.

again, thank you all veterans. rip shifty.

Toymaker · Jul 16, 2009

We should always remember our heroes, RIP "Shifty"

Trigger · Jul 16, 2009

God Speed and thank you for your service Shifty.

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OT - The Funeral You Didn't Hear About

.manny
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from kingsport, TN

plymouth1952
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from Grants Pass Ore

rodknocker

DMFB
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from Dayton, Ohio

biscaynes
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from in front of you

Toymaker
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from Fresno,CA

Trigger
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from Oregon

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OT - The Funeral You Didn't Hear About

.manny Member from kingsport, TN

plymouth1952 Member from Grants Pass Ore

rodknocker

DMFB Member from Dayton, Ohio

biscaynes Member from in front of you

Toymaker Member from Fresno,CA

Trigger Member from Oregon

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.manny
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from kingsport, TN

plymouth1952
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from Grants Pass Ore

DMFB
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from Dayton, Ohio

biscaynes
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from in front of you

Toymaker
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from Fresno,CA

Trigger
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from Oregon