some food for thought

larry merlau

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this was sent to me by email from a friend... so this is not his words just someone else's story,,, so as you read it just think of where things are today in the world and where we are putting our importance of them...

Subject: Memorial service you are invited.(War hero) A MUST READ!!


Subject: FW: Memorial service you are invited.(War hero) A MUST READ!!
Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:41:05 -0600

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, 2009 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.


we seem to have forgot who and what really counts
 
.....along the same line from a soldier named Isaac.....


Okay, I need to rant.
>
> I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael
> Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an
> Entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent
> Millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many
> People. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and
> I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point
> Of my rant.
>
> Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their
> Minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the
> Country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to
> Flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to
> Hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?
>
> Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a
> Freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What
> About all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those
> Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war,
> Still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the
> United States of America. Where is their moment of silence? Where
> Are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over
> Them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a
> Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank
> God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the
> Sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off
> Their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop
> Icon?"
>
> I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS
> For Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every
> Service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY
> Recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people
> Can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE,
> Those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for
> Them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have
> Been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never
> Make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit
> Songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat
> And tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
>
> Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it.
> Remember these five words the next time you think of someone
> Who is serving in the military;
>
> "So that others may live..."
>
> Isaac
 
I know I'm going to catch some flak for this......:eek:

love the story about Shifty, that generation is quickly leaving us, which is sad.

The whole Jakko thing.............. this was one place that I did not have to read about it.......:dunno:

nice story Larry.

Stu :wave:
 
Thank you Larry for bringing this to our attention. The story is so true for so many. Steve is right in my opinion in his soldiers rant.

I often ask myself whether its a question of our age and greying hair that we can relfect on these selfless acts that soldiers around the world perform on a daily basis regardless of generations or is it the society around us changing its fundamental values or having them changed and manipulated by the so called "media" for various agendas that are behind these "media hype events".

Seems to me society as a whole all over the world needs to examine what they believe in when we bestow so much prestige to "celebritys" of any kind and reward the concept of celebrity with such huge amounts of money that it makes them appear better than the next man, yet forget the humble garbage man, firefighter or policeman patroling the street. Never mind the guys walking around without a limb or the damages that are not visible yet as we have all seen and know on our own forum have caused untold damage in families.

Yeah I know we are all woodwokers and would like this to be a place of sanctuary that shuts out the garbage of the world but to some extent I also think our collective voice has been silent for too long in the name of political correctness or for the want of not offending someone else. Seems to me there are a lot that have been offending people with the likes of my values and they seem to be getting away with it under the guise of something else.

Thanks again Larry and Steve for bring up the subject.

Interesting to note in the post that Ken listed on snopes that Shiffty said in other times the guys on both sides might have been friends.

My Dad a naval vetran from the same time as Shifty, still corresponds at 92 (just turned 12 July) with a survivor of the battle ship Bismarck which he played a key role in sinking during WW2.

He has at his own expense flown to Germany several times in recent years to lay a wreath ( accompanied by his friend Otto a survivor) at the memorial to the sailors that perished in that battle.

Holywood needs to reinforce that there is no glory in war its an ugly thing.

However as a recent deceased leader McNamara said "Sometimes in order to do good one has to engage in evil." Not great but neccessary.
 
I copied this from another forum. It was posted by Belinda Williamson. Many of you might recognize her name. It's very touching, and I'll admit I was balling like a baby.

Killed in action the week before, the body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City , Georgia , just south of Atlanta , on June 11, 2009 . The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough , Georgia . A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time. Nowadays one can be led to believe that America no longer respects honor and no longer honors sacrifice outside the military. Be it known that there are many places in this land where people still recognize the courage and impact of total self-sacrifice. Georgia remains one of those graceful places. The link below is a short travelogue of that day's remarkable and painful journey. But only watch this if you wish to have some of your faith in people restored.

http://blip.tv/play/AYGJ5h6YgmE
 
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