In Memorial - Aircraft of World War II

davparlr · 07-11-2009, 07:31 PM

For those of you who haven't seen the HBO series Band of Brothers, I recommend you watch it next time it comes on or get the DVD... a truely amazing story with something for everyone who had served in the military and even more for those who haven't.

Subject: Memorial to Shifty Powers
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

wheelsup_cavu · 07-12-2009, 02:08 AM

I remember his interviews on "Band of Brothers."
It seemed that he had fell upon hard times after his time in the service.
There also seemed to be sadness in him.
Thanks for giving us your personal story involving the man Davparlr.

R.I.P. Shifty.

YouTube - Darrell C. Powers ( Shifty Powers )

Wheels

Von Frag · 07-12-2009, 04:46 AM

Fair winds Shifty. Powerful stuff Dav.

barney · 07-12-2009, 04:57 AM

My father was in the troop carrier division. His plane went down and his buddies died over Normandy the night before D-Day.

The other day my mother got out the insignia he wore on his uniform and the yellow "Alert Crew" band he wore on his arm. The news papers she kept are becoming very brown and brittle. She showed me paper money and coins my father collected in various places he visited in the war.

Lots of memorabilia - I photographed all I could. It is all starting to seem like such a long time ago.

RabidAlien · 07-12-2009, 10:15 AM

I know everyone here would LOVE to see a massive media-storm at his funeral, and for it to be an all-out occasion. However, I can't help but think that Mr. Powers (and pretty much any other vet who served, for that matter) would not want the attention, any more than he wanted to take your First Class seat. I would push for world-wide coverage myself, but have to say that groups of guys huddled in the corner of the local bar, talking in hushed tones while nursing a beer or two would probably be more tribute than he would want. Media hype moves on to the next big topic in a day or two, and the mass public will soon forget all the Jackson glitz and bling. I think Shifty would rather be quietly remembered and spoken well of for at least another generation.

Shifty Powers, rest in peace. You've most definitely earned it, and this site (at the very least) will never forget.

renrich · 07-12-2009, 10:30 AM

Dav, you do good work!

Njaco · 07-12-2009, 04:10 PM

Although he might not want it and would probably refuse, he is far more deserving of a memorial at the Staples Center.

Shifty!

Gnomey · 07-12-2009, 08:28 PM

Very true Chris. He fully deserves it

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2...ers-19311.html (Obituary: Darrell "Shifty" Powers)

Doughboy · 07-12-2009, 09:43 PM

Amazing story

... I really like the Band of Brothers series.... R.IP Darrel "Shifty" Powers.

Amsel · 07-12-2009, 10:04 PM

What are we going to do without these men?

diddyriddick · 07-13-2009, 11:08 AM

RIP Shorty!

Vassili Zaitzev · 07-13-2009, 12:50 PM

RIP Shifty.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 07-13-2009, 01:54 PM

I got to meet him a few years ago when he did a USO tour with some of the other members of the unit as well as some of the actors who played them in the movies.

He should never be forgotten.

Thorlifter · 07-13-2009, 02:53 PM

Great story Dav. Thanks for sharing.

07-11-2009, 07:31 PM	#1
davparlr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,485	In Memorial For those of you who haven't seen the HBO series Band of Brothers, I recommend you watch it next time it comes on or get the DVD... a truely amazing story with something for everyone who had served in the military and even more for those who haven't. Subject: Memorial to Shifty Powers 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

07-12-2009, 02:08 AM	#2
wheelsup_cavu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Corona, California Posts: 1,534	I remember his interviews on "Band of Brothers." It seemed that he had fell upon hard times after his time in the service. There also seemed to be sadness in him. Thanks for giving us your personal story involving the man Davparlr. R.I.P. Shifty. YouTube - Darrell C. Powers ( Shifty Powers ) Wheels __________________ Cheers Wheelsup_cavu Wheels's Photos - Time lapse build of an F/A-18 Super Hornet - Lock N' Load

07-12-2009, 10:15 AM	#5
RabidAlien Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hurst, Texas Posts: 2,818	I know everyone here would LOVE to see a massive media-storm at his funeral, and for it to be an all-out occasion. However, I can't help but think that Mr. Powers (and pretty much any other vet who served, for that matter) would not want the attention, any more than he wanted to take your First Class seat. I would push for world-wide coverage myself, but have to say that groups of guys huddled in the corner of the local bar, talking in hushed tones while nursing a beer or two would probably be more tribute than he would want. Media hype moves on to the next big topic in a day or two, and the mass public will soon forget all the Jackson glitz and bling. I think Shifty would rather be quietly remembered and spoken well of for at least another generation. Shifty Powers, rest in peace. You've most definitely earned it, and this site (at the very least) will never forget. __________________ Pillage, then burn. Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well on toast.

07-12-2009, 04:10 PM	#7
Njaco The Pop-Tart Whisperer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Jersey, United States Posts: 10,228	Although he might not want it and would probably refuse, he is far more deserving of a memorial at the Staples Center. Shifty! __________________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's English, thank a soldier!" http://www.njcacoa.org/

07-12-2009, 08:28 PM	#8
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 15,214	Very true Chris. He fully deserves it http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2...ers-19311.html (Obituary: Darrell "Shifty" Powers) __________________ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" Sir Winston Churchill "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today" Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum My Photo Collections on Flickr Last edited by Gnomey; 07-12-2009 at 08:31 PM.

07-12-2009, 04:46 AM	#3
Von Frag Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 84	Fair winds Shifty. Powerful stuff Dav.

07-12-2009, 04:57 AM	#4
barney Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 8	My father was in the troop carrier division. His plane went down and his buddies died over Normandy the night before D-Day. The other day my mother got out the insignia he wore on his uniform and the yellow "Alert Crew" band he wore on his arm. The news papers she kept are becoming very brown and brittle. She showed me paper money and coins my father collected in various places he visited in the war. Lots of memorabilia - I photographed all I could. It is all starting to seem like such a long time ago.

07-12-2009, 10:30 AM	#6
renrich Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montrose, Colorado Posts: 3,270	Dav, you do good work!

07-12-2009, 09:43 PM	#9
Doughboy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 885	Amazing story... I really like the Band of Brothers series.... R.IP Darrel "Shifty" Powers. __________________ "This is the day which the lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24 Last edited by Doughboy; 07-12-2009 at 09:45 PM.

07-12-2009, 10:04 PM	#10
Amsel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,731	What are we going to do without these men? __________________ http://www.northstarnational.com/200...tte/#more-2513

07-13-2009, 11:08 AM	#11
diddyriddick Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hamlet, NC, US Posts: 720	RIP Shorty!

07-13-2009, 12:50 PM	#12
Vassili Zaitzev Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stafford Springs, Connecticut Posts: 2,221	RIP Shifty. __________________ "Never was so much owed by so many to so few"- Winston Churchill.

07-13-2009, 01:54 PM	#13
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 33,150	I got to meet him a few years ago when he did a USO tour with some of the other members of the unit as well as some of the actors who played them in the movies. He should never be forgotten. __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"[/I]

07-13-2009, 02:53 PM	#14
Thorlifter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 4,345	Great story Dav. Thanks for sharing. __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode