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Shifty Powers

shifty powers

Posted by
Walter Geiger
in Geiger's Counter
Thursday, July 16. 2009
Comments (22)
(submitted by kent kingsley and several others)

We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.

I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers.

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#1 Andrew Odom on 07/16/09 at 08:28 AM
I got a hold of the Band of Brothers series about four years back I guess. Up until that point I had little emotional or personal connection with the men and women of WWI. Yes I had read 'The Greatest Generation' and yes my grandfathers both served a stint during those years. But it took the visuals of that mini-series to make me realize that all of our wars had been fought by real people - people who laughed, cried, got lonely, and even passed the time by playing baseball and other games.

By the time I had finished those DVDs I felt so connected to the men of Easy Company that it strike a bit of a chord to know that Shifty passed away just a little over a month ago. What a great character and obviously a great man.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I do more than just write about Memorial Day or heroes gone by or community characters. I invest a little of myself into them and try to take away from them something as well. Thank you for this reminder of the humanity that is involved in each and every war, conflict, crisis, and cause.
#2 Matt W on 07/16/09 at 08:29 AM
Thanks for that
#3 Greg Irwin on 07/16/09 at 09:00 AM
As a historian and member of the Kansas Army National Guard Historical Society, I am moved to write on behalf of those who cherish, salute and honor those who have served.
I have had the privileged to have met several of these unassuming heroes, those men who felt it was there responsibility to keep their nation and the world free from tyranny and oppression. We still have them serving in foreign battlefields, and then we have our own homefront under fire from the crazed, idiotic, self-ordained individuals preaching (change, hope, and reliance on a socialistic government controlled existence in our nation.); this is what these men fought against. Why are we bowing to this type of communistic socialism fascism here?
we need to remember the sacrifices made by such men as these, cherish the freedom we have, and Fight the aggressor that challenges it both overseas and here at home in all branches of our own government.
#4 Bob Busch on 07/16/09 at 09:57 AM
I as past member of the 101st in Vietnam am deeply touched by The story of Shifty.
#5 bubba on 07/16/09 at 10:04 AM
a true hero,i'll bet the clown we have in the white house wont send his regards to the family like he did for the freak druggee perv.oh what was i thinking this man ACTUALLY did something for his country.
#6 CHS on 07/16/09 at 11:30 AM
This is a very moving article. You are right though. Where was the parade, the staples center, the 24/7 news coverage, and the weeping fans. All I can say is we have our priorities so mixed up. These men were and still are a great bunch of men. I have respect for anyone who serves our country in the military.
#7 mew on 07/16/09 at 12:39 PM
Just have to say thanks for sharing this story. These men sacrificed so much, not only for their generation but generations to come. I also want to salute the women and families these men left behind. We owe them all a debt of gratitude.
#8 Jenny and Jimmy Fry on 07/16/09 at 02:09 PM
Thank you so much for your story. Shifty has a place forever in our hearts. Our prayers are with all who loved him. Jenny and Jimmy Fry
#9 Sean M on 07/16/09 at 03:13 PM
Tom Brokaw said it well... The Greatest Generation. For those who appreciate our freedoms, saying 'thank you' doesn't seem to be enough. But to the ears of those who served, it speaks volumes. God Bless, Shifty, and thank you.
#10 cats on 07/16/09 at 04:23 PM
This was a fabulous read.
I've been voting since I turned 18 and have never missed an election since. I tell everyone that I would never disrespect my Father and Grandfather and their service to our country by missing an election.
They fought in order to afford me the right to go to the polls and make my voice heard.
The men and women serving in all branches of our military are our heroes, folks, and let's never ever forget that.
#11 One who is thankful on 07/16/09 at 05:14 PM
Thank you for posting this. My husband and I are huge fans of the HBO series Band of Brothers, and often remark while reflecting, just what a honor it is to bask in the freedoms those heros fought for. Thank you to all of you!
#12 Sheila Tolley on 07/16/09 at 07:31 PM
Every day of freedom that we have in America is Veteran's Day in my heart.
#13 Tim on 07/16/09 at 08:27 PM
Our family fell in love with Shifty and the fantastic job done by the filmmakers of Band of Brothers. My boys, who are 17 and 25 now, learned priceless life lessons and respect for my grandfathers' generation. They also wanted to know more about their own great grandfathers' service in the Army and Navy after the series. We proudly display old photos and relics from their service in our home. When I was a little kid growing up in and around Barnesville, I can remember my grandfather pointing out his peers around town to me and he always started the intoductions with something like " Red was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge" or something similar. These men wore their service as a badge of honor deservedly.

Thank you for the great story about Shifty. It was a nice reminder that no worries in my day to day life compare to their sacrifice. We owe all who serve a debt we can never pay.

God bless our service men and women serving bravely with little recognition.

Rest in peace Shifty.

Thanks to my grandfathers. May you rest in peace.
George C. Martin, US Navy Pacific Theater, WWII
Earnest Easom, US Army European Theater, WWII
#14 Marshall Miller on 07/17/09 at 03:59 AM
That was a great article on Shifty. Thank you, Walter. He deserves a lot more recognition. Remember WWII hero Joe Foss ? All should read up on Joe, an amazing life story, record-setting Marine pilot and a lot more, too much to cover here. When he died at age 87 on Jan. 1, 2003, the Atlanta paper did not mention one word about him, no obituary, same for the Gwinnett Daily Post. That still amazes and saddens me. Some show no appreciation. I plan to read up on Shifty. To some, these are nonpersons, apparently. Shifty and Joe, two modest overachievers : Rest in peace.
#15 Lynda on 07/17/09 at 07:44 AM
A beautiful article. I am so grateful to our service men and women. Shelia's comment says it all.
#16 John Coussoule on 07/18/09 at 10:11 AM
Men and women like Shifty Powers represent all that was best about America. Having had a number of friends and relatives, whom we have enrolled in the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., from my hometown participating in WWII, I know what a great sacrifice they paid for our freedom. We watched the "Band of Brothers" when it came out on TV. It brought back much emotion seeing what these soldiers went through. This truly was the "Greatest Generation". May they all rest in peace and may God grant them entrance into his kingdom as their eternal reward.

Our deepest gratitude and sympathy go out to Shifty's family, a true American hero. We thank you for his service to our country. May he rest in peace.
#17 Marion Bradley on 07/20/09 at 10:47 AM
This story touches me on a personal level as my Dad also served in the 101st Airborne in WWII in the same theatres as "Shifty" Powers. I knew the stories of WWII and Easy company long before Band of Brothers was conceived. We DO need to honor these men in any and every way we can and maintain their records for historical purposes. But, we also need heros right now. Not the kind who say one thing and do another because it's more popular. These men were the REAL THING!! They were also fathers, brothers, sons, uncles and grandfathers. Please - let us never forget them and let us make them proud in our future generations.

Thank you "Shifty" and thank you DAD!!!
#18 Nelson on 07/21/09 at 02:47 AM
Thank you "Shifty". Rest in Peace. God Bless You. I thank all the veterans and their families. We love our country.

Semper Fi
#19 Naomi H. Knight on 08/02/09 at 02:04 PM
I am 86yrs old., and had 3 bros a husband and countless other family members serving in ww2, and my son was in Navy -Viet Nam., then 25 yrs., as Reserves., until Clinton, took away all extra funds., Here is a story for you., I went to the cemetary to put flowers on my mothers grave ad just happened to have a flag in my car., all of the graves around her had flags but not my mother., she had 3 sons, and my baby bro served after the war2, plus others in her family, and I was so insulted that she was not afforded a flag, but I put one on there for her........God Bless Shifty and all of our brave men and women. I love them all and my heart cries every day for them. God Bless America.
#20 Grateful Jim Cooke on 08/23/09 at 07:21 PM
All the men and women who served and currently are serving our country are heroes to me.
It is because of their sacrifice and that of their loved ones that we have our freedom. That we can vote, that we can live whereever we want,that we have all the opportunities we need to succeed, that anybody can run for office without fear of persecution. Those people are the real heroes. Not those people who take advantage of the privilege to run for office and then think that they know everything better than the rest of the population and run this country and its expensive freedom in the ground.
They(Vets) were and are proud of their country and that's why they sacrificed everything, so that anybody has the freedom to say and preach whatever they want. Unlike some who first take advantage of this hard fought freedom to reach their goals, and then turn their backs on it.

I appreciate you sharing this, so that regular folks like us can pay our respects to those heroes. They are the ones who brought honor to this country.
I do pray for the veterans and all the ones who are still serving and their loved ones and am so grateful for their service and sacrifice.

God bless them all.
#21 Brad Reese on 09/28/09 at 05:25 PM
What a sad day this is for me. Like everyone else, I came to know of Darrell "Shifty" Powers through the series, "Band of Brothers". I must have watched every episode at least 15-20 times in the past 4 years, so my wife understood when I called her - in tears - to report this sad news.
I am incensed by the fact that everyone, everywhere, knows what color Brittany Spears' panties are; when Dizzy Lohan goes into rehab with Amy Winehouse; that Jessica Simpson was made-fun-of for her "fat jeans"; that "Dancing With the Stars" & "American Idol" are household institutions . . . When I've just now, by accident, learned of the passing of a "TRUE" hero; someone worthy of "REAL" admiration!
I am as disgusted by the misfocus of the media as I am heart-broken by the loss of Shifty Powers.
My deepest respect and reverent condolences go out to Mr. Powers' family and friends. As tremendous a loss as it is to them, equally immeasurable is the loss to our country, of Darrell and men like him.

God bless you Shifty and family.
#22 kenny byers on 07/21/10 at 06:47 AM
As a former Marine and WWII enthusiast, The men of Easy Co. And all who served during the war of all wars are to be honored for their service!! We must not forget any of them for their courage and sacrifice for our country!!
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