June 26, 2009
Posted by Hank
Farrah, Michael, and Shifty
Honoring our Heroes
Staff Sergeant Powers
March 13, 1923 – June 17, 2009
My dear friend Dick Kramer, the artist behind Sniper’s Brew, sent me a note today that touched on some thoughts I’ve had this week as the media focuses its attention on the death of well known celebrities. Not only did Dick’s own son, Steve, serve in the Marine Corps, but as a tactical artist Dick comes in touch with America’s finest men and women in uniform on a regular basis. I know it bothers Dick and what I’m constantly aware of is that too often America doesn’t focus enough attention on our patriots. And that’s the sad truth. The death of Staff Sergeant Darrell “Shifty” Powers went largely unreported.
Staff Sergeant Powers served with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment (United States), 101st Airborne Division in World War II. Shifty was an original member of Easy Company, training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Shifty’s hometown was Clinchco, Virginia, in Dickenson County. Shifty was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers and appears in all ten episodes. Here’s a link I found on Amazon to the book he contributed to We Who Are Alive and Remain: untold stories from the Band of Brothers, written by Marcus Brotherton.
I also came across this article: Thursday, June 18, 2009 – Veteran a part of ‘Band of Brothers’ Darrell “Shifty” Powers, who died at age 86, was a hero on the battlefield and to his family. By Neil Harvey
Additionally, I found this online memorial guest book that you can sign in remembrance of Staff Sergeant Darrell “Shifty” Powers. I encourage you to do so.
With Utmost Respect ~ Semper Fi, Hank
Used by permission KDH Copyright © 2009 Sniper’s Brew All Rights Reserved.
23 Comments
June 26, 2009
It takes ~ 24 hours for posts to the memorial to appear. Here’s what I wrote:
Shifty,
Thank you for your tremendous service to this nation, we are in your debt. My Grandfather Rex Lewis, an Army Medic, was there with you in Normandy. Look him up in heaven, he plays a mean bar tune on the piano. And give him our love.
With Utmost Respect
Semper Fi, Major Hank Salmans
USMC (Retired) & The Lewis Family
June 26, 2009
Hank this has actually been on my mind all day long. Perez Hilton acts like a moron and gets his azz kicked for it and he garners major news. We have young men who sacrifice their young adulthoods — something they will never get back, for our freedom and they are forgotten. I swear that Hollywood and its ilk have been the downfall of our culture.
June 27, 2009
Hollywood will be the downfall of our culture Claire. I could not agree more!! I often think about all the Hollywood Stars that served in WWII and compare that time to this present time and I am saddened. Oh , by the way my son has been Stop/Loss and is heade back to Iraq!! He is handling it much better than Mom and Dad!!! Of topic go watch the movie The Proposal for a good laugh!!! Bulldog Out!!!
June 29, 2009
Farewell “Shifty”. A true hero and soldier in the highest tradition of American Patriots. Rest in peace. The world is a far better place through your efforts. Folks who care remember you and always will.
June 29, 2009
Shifty, Thanks for your many sacrifices during the time when our country needed heroes such as yourself the most. Rest in peace with your fellow Brothers in Arms who have gone before you.
June 29, 2009
Godspeed “Shifty”.
Bulldog, hang in there.
Hank, good write-up. Thank you.
Claire, love ya!
Mr.Kramer, you honor us by stopping in.
God bless you all.
June 29, 2009
Heartfelt thanks to this veteran who put his nation above himself.
June 29, 2009
God Bless you “shifty”. Your heorism and service will never be forgotten. Thank you is in adequate but it’s all most of us can do so THANK YOU.
Mike
June 29, 2009
We are definitely in your debt, and I salute you. Odd because today (not knowing about Hank’s post) I am watching “Band of Brothers” for the second time. I am very honored to learn about you. God Speed.
June 29, 2009
The older I become the more I reluctantly find myself accepting some sad facts of life. What everyone has commented on in their own means of expression is so true. That being that those who possess the media, the power of hollywood, in short the stream of big money is always going to have the ability to control information. What is enlightening is that there are folks like Hank and the rest of us Patriots that know the truth. We do have the power to influence our children, grandchildren, those that will listen, such as neighbors and friends,etc. I would never cut short the quiet Americans ,even those that have never served in uniform . It is my belief that the every day guy or gal Americans will always will be there when it really counts, that’s just who we are, its in our blood. James Bandy.U.S.M.C.
June 29, 2009
I left a message of support and sympathy on Shifty’s Memorial Page. Much love and respect to my Fallen Brother- in-Arms, his family and those of like mind here on my Best Friend’s Web Site.
May God continue to pour out His blessings on our country that was founded on His words, even when the country strays and shakes off God’s name from our schools, court houses, oaths, pledge of alligence and money.
Sempre Fi my Brothers!
June 29, 2009
Thank you and the rest of “The Greatest Generation” as they fade into history. I have walked many of the battle grounds where your heroism was a days work. Your generation was an example for your children to follow. You made life much easier for us. Most of the time we forget that.
June 29, 2009
Thank you Shifty for your contibution to this nations Freedom. I too am familier with the name Shifty Powers,my wife bought me the dvd set Band of Brothers and I watch it often. I am proud to call you my brother in arms and you will be missed. God Bless Shifty’s family.
S/Sgt Ronald M. Menke U.S.M.C. (Retired)
June 30, 2009
Thank you Shifty for your service to our country. It is your bravery that has made this country free. As you were part of “The Greatest Generation” I will make sure your sacrifices will not be forgotten.
Take one moment from your life to thank a vet.
Thank you
June 30, 2009
It’s an honor to leave a message on Shifty’s memorial page. Our son, Steve, bought his dad Band of Brothers and we watch it whenever there’s an opportunity. The three of us also had the privilege of visiting Normandy in 2006 and will always remember the experience with awe. Rest in peace, Shifty, and wear the crown waiting for you with pride. You earned it.
P. S. Thank you, Hank, for setting up this page.
June 30, 2009
Thank you Shifty for all that you sacrified during the war and afterwards… You will be remembered always!
P.S. My best (male) friend enlighted me about “Band of Brothers” and I watch it every time it comes on TV… only, of course, until I buy the complete DVD collection.
July 16, 2009
Shifty,
Thank you and all of the”Greatest Generation” for all that you went through. Because of you we now speek English instead of German or Japanese.
Hank, thank you for this site.
Semper Fidelis.
July 16, 2009
The passing of Mr. Powers is another great loss to this country. Thank you Mr. Powers for your service. And i thank your family for their sacrifice during your service to our great country.
My father was Pfc. Vester I Thacker Sr. No one has ever heard of him. He was a medic and served with Audie Murphy. Most of the men whose lives he saved on the battlefield, both American and German, are gone now. And as such, very, very few remember or honor him today.
But through the lives of men such as Mr. Powers, we are able to forever remember the great service that the thousands upon thousands of servicemen and women performed for our country during World War II. The gift of freedom they gave to millions is priceless. The torch of freedom and hope they carried across the battlefields of World War II has now been passed to us. Lets not let them down, but carry that torch proudly.
July 17, 2009
I thank God for you, “Shifty”, and all of our fine Servicemen and Women that serve our great country with pride, so we can live in freedom. May you rest in Peace!
July 21, 2009
We are not members of facebook and twitter so we leave our blessings, thanks and prayers to “Shifty” here. Thank you for your great service to this country, many sacrifices and humility. My kids pray for all the soldiers and their families every night, even they recognize the difference between sacrifice/ love of neighbor and country vs these troubled hollywood selfish types loving themselves.
Rest in peace and God bless your family
July 31, 2009
Saying thank you is not enough but is all I can think of to say, thank you so very much.
September 17, 2009
It was with great saddness that I saw the attention given to a man that turned himswelf into a white woman pedophile when one of our few remaining heros of wwll barely got mentioned. This guy fought all accross Europe and endured the freezing cold and German shelling for weeks with inadequate troops, clothing and ammunition at the battle of the bulge.
September 27, 2009
God bless you Shifty, and all of your brothers. Warren from 1/502 Inf. 101st.
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