FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Darrell "Shifty" Powers ~ April 13, 2015

Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Darrell "Shifty" Powers
Story from this website.

Darrell "Shifty" Powers (March 13, 1923–June 17, 2009) was a former U.S. Army NCO during World War II who served with the famed E Co/2/506 of the 101st Airborne Division (the Band of Brothers). Shifty was an original member of Easy Company, training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Shifty's hometown was Clinchco, Virginia, in Dickenson County.

Powers was born in Clinchco, Dickenson County, Virginia and volunteered for the paratroopers with his good friend, "Popeye" Wynn. Shifty spent a great deal of time in the outdoors hunting game prior to joining the service. This would later prove useful as many of the skills he obtained helped him as a soldier.

Powers jumped into Normandy on D-Day, missing his drop zone. He eventually came in contact with Floyd Talbert and the two made their way to Easy Company. He participated in the assault of Carentan and every major battle Easy Company was involved with until the end of the war. He was considered by many to be the best shot in the company.

Because many men serving in the 101st lacked the minimum points required to return home, a lottery was put in place. Shifty Powers won this lottery after the rest of the company rigged it in his favor by removing their own names, and was set to return stateside. During the trip to the airfield, the vehicle Shifty was in was involved in an accident and Shifty was badly injured. He spent many months recuperating in hospitals overseas while his comrades in arms arrived home long before he did.

Honorably discharged from the Army in the postwar demobilization, he became a machinist for the Clinchfield Coal Corporation.

He is listed as one of 20 men from Easy Company who contributed to the 2009 book We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers, published by Penguin/Berkley-Caliber.

"Shifty" Powers died June 17, 2009, of Cancer in Dickenson County, Virginia.

Thank you, sir, for your service and sacrifice for our country!

This email has gone around the internet, and it says a lot about our country and it's priorities. Not a lot that's good either....

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

There's a really nice tribute over at Blackfive - worth a read.

VERY fun story here also.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission!

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

A restful weekend and ready for the new week?

21 posted on 04/12/2015 6:28:02 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Jet Jaguar; AbnSarge

Good evening, JJ! A host of Active Duty - a cadre of Vets - attended AbnSarge's retirement. He was resplendent in Dress Blues. He was awarded, among other honors, the Legion of Merit, much deserved.

I was honored to stand with many active-duty soldiers of the Army and the Maryland ANG to honor AbnSarge on his retirement from a long and honorable career of faithful service to our Nation.

Thirty-three years in service to our Nation, numerous deployments to where the bullets fly and danger lies with every step you take.

God Bless him, God Bless all our serving troops, God Bless them good!

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

22 posted on 04/12/2015 6:31:02 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)

To: ConorMacNessa

Good evening, Mac...congratulations on being able to attend AbnSarge’s retirement ceremony.

Is Mrs MacNessa feeling better today after her hard work painting?

23 posted on 04/12/2015 6:34:07 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska

Mrs. MacNessa is doing quite well - she enjoyed attending AbnSarge's retirement ceremony this afternoon and hob-nobbing with Mrs. AbnSarge. We have had the pleasure of dining with AbnSarge and Mrs. AbnSarge, which we hope to do again soon.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

24 posted on 04/12/2015 6:41:09 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)

Thanks for sharing...enjoy your retirement.

25 posted on 04/12/2015 7:02:36 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

Salute, Command Sargent Major from an old Army guy!

Just don't wear any OD clothes in your retirement.

26 posted on 04/12/2015 7:08:01 PM PDT by PROCON (President Reagan, I truly miss your Patriotism, Love of Country and Leadership.)

..taking all my old ACU pants down tomorrow to get cut and hemmed below the cargo pocket....

27 posted on 04/12/2015 7:14:42 PM PDT by AbnSarge

To: AbnSarge; Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; ..

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!

TATTOO
(Click)

Must retire for the evening -

The Bugler, his grim visage replete with an evil sneer,
already mounts the parapet.

Soldiers of the Greatest Generation
Stand The Watch Tonight!

Standing With Them
AbnSarge, USA!

TAPS
U.S. Marine Band
(Click)

"Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes!"

(King Lear, Act III, Scene iv)

All Gave Some – Some Gave All!!!
(Click)

Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

28 posted on 04/12/2015 7:25:40 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)

To: left that other site

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...are you ready for Marvelous Monday?

Was the choir a trio today?

You and Lynn-Dah doing well?

Mostly overcast and dark today, but overhead the sun has just come out.

29 posted on 04/12/2015 7:29:17 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC

Thanks for a great thread, galz, and another wonderful hero to read about!

30 posted on 04/12/2015 7:32:30 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)

To: ConorMacNessa

31 posted on 04/12/2015 7:37:00 PM PDT by fatima (Free Hugs Today :))

To: Kathy in Alaska

A restful Sunday, yes.
Thanks!

32 posted on 04/12/2015 7:44:44 PM PDT by The Mayor (Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)

To: ConorMacNessa

Nite, Conor! (((hugs)))

33 posted on 04/12/2015 7:45:39 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)

Yep...that’s a Monday for ya!

Except tomorrow. Tomorrow I’m off. Yay! Best. Monday. Ever!

34 posted on 04/12/2015 7:49:23 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)

35 posted on 04/12/2015 7:56:22 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...back to work on Monday?

36 posted on 04/12/2015 8:00:41 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

37 posted on 04/12/2015 8:04:01 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)

To: ConorMacNessa

38 posted on 04/12/2015 8:06:33 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

39 posted on 04/12/2015 8:32:35 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: left that other site

40 posted on 04/12/2015 8:45:01 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

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