Fresh from my inbox.

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

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 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 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 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 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 and old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimmin 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.

"A nation without heroes is nothing."

Roberto Clemente

The MARINES WANT THIS TO ROLL ALL OVER THE U.S.A.

This is a poem being sent from a Marine
To his Dad. For those who take the time
To read it, you'll see a letter from him to
His dad at the bottom. It makes you truly thankful for not only the Marines, but ALL of our troops.
THE MARINE

We all came together,
Both young and old
To fight for our freedom,
To stand and be bold.


In the midst of all evil,
We stand our ground,
And we protect our country
From all terror around.

Peace and not war,
Is what some people say.
But I'll give my life,
So you can live the American way.

I give you the right
To talk of your peace.
To stand in your groups,
And protest in our streets.

But still I fight on,
I don't bitch, I don't whine..
I'm just one of the people
Who is doing your time.

I'm harder than nails,
Stronger than any machine.
I'm the immortal soldier,
I'm a U.S. . MARINE!

So stand in my shoes,
And leave from your home.
Fight for the people who hate you,
With the protests they've shown.
Fight for the stranger,
Fight for the young.
So they all may have,
The greatest freedom you've won.

Fight for the sick,
Fight for the poor.
Fight for the cripple,
Who lives next door.

But when your time comes,
Do what I've done.
For if you stand up for freedom,
You'll stand when the fight's done
By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert , US Marine Corps
USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

March 23, 2003
Hey Dad,
Do me a favor and label this 'The Marine' and send it to everybody on your email list. Even leave this letter in it. I want this rolling all over the US . I want every home reading it. Every eye seeing it. And every heart to feel it. So can you please send this for me? I would but my email time isn't that long and I don't have much time anyway.
You know what Dad? I wondered what it would be like to truly understand what JFK said in his inaugural speech. 'When the time comes to lay down my life for my country, I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it.' Well, now I know. And I do. Dad, I welcome the opportunity to do what I do. Even though I have left behind a beautiful wife, and I will miss the birth of our first born child, I would do it 70 times over to fight for the place that God has made for my home. I love you all and I miss you very much. I wish I could be there when Sandi has our baby, but tell her that I love her, and Lord willing, I will be coming home soon. Give Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too.
Aaron
Please let this marine (and all our military) know we care by passing his poem onto your friends even if you don't usually take time to forward mail...do it this time!
Thanks,
Let's help Aaron's dad spread the word .....FREEDOM isn't FREE
Someone pays for you and me.
God bless you!

Soldier on leave from Iraq war helps send packages to troops

Army National Guard SPC Scott Conn stuffs a care package full of goodies Thursday during the Blue Star Mothers of America Chapter 10 gathering at the Recovery Center in Lancaster. Conn is home on leave from his third tour in Iraq and wanted to help with effort to support the troops.



(Ty Wright / Eagle-Gazette)



"LANCASTER - Many people take two-week vacations to warm, exotic or sunny locales. But a local soldier has returned home to Lancaster to spend time with his family while on leave from the Iraq war.U.S. Army Spc. Scott Conn returned to Ohio a few days ago. He is on his third tour of duty in Iraq. He returns to the war-torn country July 22."It's definitely going to fly by, but it's my job," said Conn, 30. "I'd rather do it now than see one of my kids go back for something I could have done."

Let's Take It a Step Further!

With permission from AirmanMom , I am copying her post from yesterday.

Over the past few days, I have received numerous E-Mails requesting I sign the online petition, "Request a Moment of Silence for all Service Members Killed in Action."

I support this action 100%. I have signed the online petition and have encouraged others to do so.

However, is this enough? A click of the mouse will not undo the injustice which has occurred over the past few weeks. While our TVs and Internet news pages were filled with articles of an entertainer who died...how much attention did our soldiers who were killed receive? Congress held a moment of silence for Michael Jackson??? WTF? What the hell are we doing, America? We are at war. American sons are dying. And we are focused on a singer for ten days?

My dear friend, K sent this video to me. Please take a moment (after pausing my playlist on the right sidebar) and watch this heart wrenching interview of Lt. Brian Bradshaw's Aunt. Lt. Bradshaw was killed by an IED in Afghanistan.

Here is my challenge to each and every one of you... online petitions and blogs are awesome! I fully support this means of communication!!! However, there is something to be said for good old fashioned paper and ink. Let's do it! I have a link containing the names and addresses of all United States Congressman HERE. I've attached the words of the online petition:
To: US Congress
we the undersigned petition ...

Request a Moment of Silence for all Service Members Killed in Action

Recently a pop culture icon died and was given a "Moment of Silence" in Congress. In support of our national heroes never being forgotten, we request that from here on out, that Congress give every American Service member Killed in Action, the proper respect by honoring them individually with a Moment of Silence.

Sincerely,

Happy Birthday to my favorite Cav Scout

Where did the time go?

We always told you to follow your dreams and that you could do anything you set your mind to.

You have gone so far beyond anything that we could have ever imagined for you in such a short time.

In 20 yrs you went from being my baby boy to being my Hero!!!

Happy Birthday Scout,

I am so proud of you

(make that a million & 4 times)

Love,

Mom

Prayers needed please

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. I am so lucky to live in the home of the free and to be the mother of one of the brave.

I look forward to the 4th of July each year and we usually celebrate with friends and family, lots of food and fun ending the day with fireworks.

This morning I was awakened with the news that a very dear young friend of our family had been killed in a car accident. Dani leaves behind a 4 year old lil girl Harlie (bug) and a 16 month old son Chandler (chan man). She was only 22 yrs old and was a true breath of sunshine to be around. She was the lil sister that I never had, she was a young mother who doted on her babies and gave herself completely to her family and friends. She constantly amazed me with her maturity at such a young age and her patience and love for her babies. She will be missed.

Please remember these precious babies & my family in your prayers, we have lost a piece of our heart today.

God Bless,

Tami

Combat Aviation Brigade wraps up error-free Iraqi deployment

Jun 30, 2009
By By Sgt. Jason Thompson, 4th Inf. Div. PAO

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The 4th Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade found another reason to celebrate its recent return from a successful year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom - everyone returned home to their families.The "Iron Eagle" brigade didn't lose one Soldier or aircraft during its deployment to Taji, Iraq, said Col. Patrick Tierney, the brigade's commander."We're the first aviation brigade in history to return from combat with zero losses - neither casualties nor aircraft," said Tierney, adding that the accomplishment is even more remarkable as it is often a difficult task to accomplish during peacetime operations."It's difficult to put these aircraft in the air for the number of hours that the mission required of them and not have any incidents," added Tierney. "By the time you add in all the environmental conditions we had to overcome - dust, heat, the small area of operations and the enemy forces shooting at us - this really is an amazing achievement for the entire Aviation Branch, not only 4th Infantry Division"Tierney credited the brigade's success to the leaders at the lowest levels, taking initiative, ensuring everyone's job was completed to standard, and meeting safety requirements. Tierney, Command Sgt. Maj. Archie Davis Jr., and Iron Eagle Soldiers reunited with their families, friends and community supporters in Fort Hood early June. "As leaders, we want nothing more than to train the Soldiers under us to be able to perform their job well enough that we can accomplish this feat," said Davis, the brigade's senior enlisted leader. "It is truly remarkable to know that for 12 months in a combat environment every Soldier in this brigade performed to the highest standards, and we were able to bring everyone home. That says a lot for these Soldiers."Davis added that the workload throughout the entire deployment was nearly triple the operational tempo they'd experienced during garrison or training operations."At any given time we had between 65 to 75 percent of our aircraft in operation for the entire year," said Davis. "My hats off to the maintainers as each of the 110 aircraft in our fleet went through a complete strip and rebuild at least once during the deployment, yet we were never unable to meet the demands of the mission due to maintenance delays."Tierney added that the brigade's success was the result of a full team effort from the maintainers and logistics specialists to the pilots and air traffic controllers and everyone-in-between."My mission statement for everyone in the brigade, regardless of (military occupational specialty) was to 'launch aircraft,'" said Tierney. "Between the 5 million gallons of fuel pumped, the thousands of hours flown and the countless hours put in by the maintainers, everything came together throughout the deployment and everyone did their part flawlessly."Tierney added that the CAB received unprecedented amounts of support from the entire aviation branch which helped his brigade to accomplish their missions without failure.Though the accomplishment of bringing everyone and everything home from a combat deployment was previously an unheard of accolade for an aviation brigade, Davis said he hopes as many of the CAB Soldiers move on to new duty assignments they take with them lessons learned to help future commands achieve the same results."These Soldiers now have the experience and knowledge to know that it can be done," said Davis. "My hope is that the Soldiers pass on their knowledge, so other units can learn from our success; and this can be a recurring accomplishment."The Soldiers are the reason we did this," Davis continued. "It was a whole team concept and each and every one of the 4th Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers should be proud of what we accomplished as a team."

Borrowed from: WWW.ARMY.MIL