Band of Brothers memorial service, You are invited...

This should be sent along to everybody to remind the world of real heros - not Michael Jackson.

Dear Friends:

I know many of you will recall the TV mini-series of a few years ago titled, Band of Brothers. It was the story of Easy Company, of the 101st Airborne Division in WW II. Among their many accomplishments (sacrifices) Easy Company landed at Normandy on D-Day (via parachute at night) and were the first Allied troops to set foot in the Eagles Nest Hitlers famed private retreat in the Bavarian Alps. If youve seen the Band of Brothers series, and watched what these men went through for such a long period of time, its hard to fathom that any of them could return home and live normal lives. Yet, like so many others of the Greatest Generation most of them did.

One of the members of Easy Company that played a key role in all 10 episodes of the TV series was Darrell Shifty Powers. Earlier today, a good friend of mine and fellow WW II buff, learned that Shifty Powers passed away on June 17th. Below is an online article that was written (not sure by who) by some guy that had a chance encounter with Shifty Powers a few years ago.

A few days ago one of our most talented entertainers suddenly passed away. Since then, the media would have us believe that life may no longer be worth living. Yet, a true American hero like, Shifty Powers, passes away and we dont hear a word about it. How sad. As you will read the author of the article below asks that we create an online memorial for Shifty Powers. For this reason I wanted to pass this on.

Doug

One of the "Band of Brothers" soldiers died on June 17, 2009.

Shifty Powers 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, 2009 after fighting cancer. He was 86 years old.

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,

-Joe Galloway.






Well, I guess to sum it up, you could say, there's three reasons why there's so little crime in Mayberry. There's Andy, and there's me, and [patting gun] baby makes three.