FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Darrell "Shifty" Powers ~ 09 May 2022

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ 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....

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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

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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!

[luvie]

I think the best decision would be just to get a newer version of the old script. If it works, don’t mess with it. All they seem to be able to do is mess things up.

I think I’m going to have to head out. I am soooo sleepy even though I actually did go to bed earlier last night. See ya tomorrow!

[radu]

That’s what I asked for when I went in January since I haven’t had the surgery to pull my right eye back so it isn’t aimed off to the side. He told me 5 years ago I needed to do that before he could write a new ‘script.
Then he ignored that and went for a new ‘script this time any way.

I’ve gone to this guy for almost 30 years and he’s been easy to work with. Now he’s being a putz and I’m about to ask for a copy of the current ‘script and go somewhere else to have glasses made. If I’m not happy with tomorrow’s visit, that’s what I’ll do.

It’s about time for me to get ready to go to bed too. I still have the cats stuff to deal with first and that will take about an hour, minimum. I’m still a little tired from two early mornings.

Get some good sleep. Catch ya tomorrow.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...hope you and Gizmo have great weather and not very many people in your way.

You guys have a great Monday.

[E.G.C.]

It was and I think summer has arrived a bit early. We’ll see how things go later today at the lake.

[left that other site]

THREE STRAIGHT DAYS WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT!

HUZZAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

[luvie]

Howdy, howdy, Early Birds!
Man! It's already 92 degrees here.
On the way to another 100° day.
Enough already!! LOL!
Speaking of troops...
Isn't our hero wonderful!
Such bravery in the face of certain disaster.
Hope all y'all have a Mahv'lus Monday!
(((hugs)))

[tallyhoe]

Thanks for having me.

[Jet Jaguar]

Howdy Ma! I finally broke down and got me a new car. New to me anyway. 2016 Volvo XC60 SUV thingy. My old Nissan Titan was a good truck but it was time to put her out to pasture.

[Kathy in Alaska]

WOOHOO! A new car...always a fun time. Very nice looking.

[nascarnation]

Nice looking!

[Jet Jaguar]

Thanks.

[Jet Jaguar]

Thanks.