[303rd-Talk] Fwd: A Story about Shifty Powers - a hero of WWII

[jhelms2196 at aol.com]

My sister sent this to me.? As I have said in a number of emails and posts, my father was in the 303rd in WWII and later he served in Korea.? My sister that sent this to me was born while he was serving in Korea in '51.? I wanted to pass this story along because I know there were so many heroes that no one will ever no about.? Each of you are heroes to me.? You, whether up in the air or support on the ground or any other of the hundreds of men and women doing there jobs?to complete the final mission of victory, are all heroes!? 

This is the story of just one hero...you are among the elite heroes that kept this country free during the middle of the last century and EVERYONE should remember that and honor you for your part.

Respectfully,


John R. Helms, Alderman
City of Florence, Mississippi
Florence, MS 39073\
www.helmsforflorence.com
http://blog.helmsforflorence.com


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Sent: Sun, Jul 26, 2009 10:50 am
Subject: Fwd: A Story about Shifty Powers - a hero of WWII




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Subject:

A Story about Shifty Powers - a hero of WWII



Date:

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 8:33:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time











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.

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 







.