Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been hearing about a flashy funeral - most of which are celebrated by some “bandwagoneers”.
I just got this e-mail forwarded to me by a friend and I think all of us really need to take a good look and whom/what we consider heroes.
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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 just about 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.” Gosh!! I was standing with a genuine war hero. And then I realized that this 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 as hard as he fought the Nazis.
There was no parade.
No big event in Staples Center.
No wall to wall back to back 24×7 news coverage for weeks.
No weeping fans on television or accolades by celebrities.
And that’s not right. That’s just NOT RIGHT!
So let’s give Shifty his own Memorial Service, on-line, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the many veterans …those brave men and women who have put themselves in harms way to preserve our great nation. Many died so we could stay safe at home …and many survived to come home damaged in their bodies and/or their minds. But the very sad part is ….most were quickly forgotten by all but their closest friends and families. God BLESS them all.
Rest in peace, Shifty ….rest in peace.
As some of you know, one of my other out doors activities is four wheeling. I just wanted to bring your attention to the subject below.
The OHV commission, the group that controls our green and red sticker money, recently had a member quit. This group consists of seven appointed people all appointed by the California Governor. The OHV scales are still tipped towards Anti-OHV people. I think all have read and witnessed the downright craziness of what has come of our green sticker program.
We NEED a Pro-OHV person on this commission or our green/red sticker money will continue to go towards non-OHV agendas.
CORVA President and former member of the commission, Ed Waldheim is willing to go back on the commission.
We need to let Governor Schwarzenegger know GǣWE WANT ED WALDHEIM BACK.Gǥ
We Need Ed Waldhiem Back on the Commission that controls OUR Green sticker money period, Ed is a leader, the OHMVR needs the leadership and direction it has been lacking to get back on track.
Please write, fax, Email, Phone the Governors office As Soon As Possible!
The following link has all the contact info for the Governors officeGǪ http://gov.ca.gov/site/contact-governor
Email the Governor: http://www.govmail.ca.gov/
source: http://www.corva.org
http://www.calstar.org/
California Shock Trauma Air Rescue
It’s the beginning of the year everyone. For those of you who have not signed up for calstar.org please have a look at their site. It’s an extra little insurance just in case you may require (and we hope will never happen) an air lift out of some terrain. $40 for individual and $45 for family membership (tax deductable). This is more for peace of mind… if anything does happen this will act as a suppliment to normal health benefits you may have at work. Or you could always pay the $10,000-$15,000 for the helecopter flight.
Check out their site for more info. A few of us have done it already. Memberships are for 1 year. The application is available on line and only takes about 5 minutes to fill out. There is a lot of information on how it all started and what it will do for you if the services are needed.
But anyway check out their site for full details. (Areas of coverage for those who are not in northern california might also be of concern)
Ξ November 15th, 2006 | → Comments Off | ∇ General |
It was a cooler ride lastnight. I hadn’t felt that cold on a night ride since last year. I’m pretty sure it had something to do with the fact that it was only UB and I on the ride lastnight. Mr. D’Brick & Grinder both had dates and weren’t able to join us.
The ride started from Grinder’s house @ 5:30, which is where I met up with UB. The ride through the park was okay. Ground was somewhat moist with some standing water in some portions that made for some quick dodging. As we made the final climb towards the paved road, there were some patches of ground where I lost momentary traction. We came upon another ride, where he mumbled something to me, I was dying from lack of oxygen so I couldn’t discern what was said.
As we got to Crothers, UB stopped to allow me to gather my breath. He had mentioned that the other rider had said to him, “you’re good,” as he was passed. I’m pretty confident now, that what was mumbled to me was “catch up.”
The rest of the ride was pretty much a blur, as I was concentrating on not slowing down UB too much and trying to have a somewhat coherent conversation. I’ve read somewhere that most people can concentrate on two activities simultaneously, obviously, they didn’t interview me. As everytime I opened my mouth to respond in the conversation, my bike swerved.
We made the whole trip up Corothers & Mt. Hamilton Road up to Grandview without stopping. The top was breached at 6:30. I think the endurance ride on Sunday definitely helped. Took a few minutes to set up for the ride back down and it was on. We got back to the park entrance at 6:46.
As we finished the ride, we noticed that there was a lot activity occuring behind Grinder’s grand palace and stopped by. We met Mr.D’Brick & Grinder’s date, by the way, her name was “Wine Press”. I also met a couple of the neighbors as well as Grinder’s cousin, Rodney. Ms. Press seemed to be quite the party maker, as the 5 gentlemen were taking turns doing various things to her. UB and I stood by and observed. Many jokes were to be made, however I held back as I wasn’t too familiar with the neighbors and didn’t want to make a bad first impression.
The ride was good. Thanks UB for setting a fast but acheivable pace. Thanks to Grinder & Mr. D’Brick, for the entertainment after.
Alright, cuz you guys refuse to really use the forum site as it was really meant to be used, I changed the site again. I’ll keep you informed as to how to post on to here soon enough. I’ll be moving stuff over from the old site little by little, so some of your important information will not be lost.
Thanks,
Mike
Ξ August 4th, 2006 | → Comments Off | ∇ General |
Hi, welcome to nopavement.com. This site is dedicated to all things off-road, or rather where there is “nopavement”. I know that most of the audience to this website don’t like to read text, so I will try to keep it to a minimum. The things you find on this website are all the things that I enjoy.
I’ve had this site for a while, but havn’t really had a chance to keep it updated, which sux, cuz I do get out an do a lot of these things.
So welcome and surf around.
