Every once in a while I am jolted by the price of liberty and freedom. Being a student of the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg I am reminded each time I walk that battlefield how blessed I am to be free. I am also bluntly reminded that my freedom came at a huge expense and that the men who fought and died on that battlefield, both North and South, did more to secure my freedom and liberty than I can imagine.
Watching Band of Brothers, the HBO film that shared the story of Easy Company - 101st Airborne during WWII, was just such a jolt to my senses. These men did things we can not even imagine and stared down death, evil and horror to win our freedom. They fought and died for each other moment to moment but they fought and died for freedom and liberty always.
I learned today that Darrell "Shifty" Powers, the best shot in the company according to his brothers in arms, died on June 17, 2009 of natural causes. He was a major focus of the film and he, along with the rest of Easy Company, fought in just about every major battle of WWII. They were called upon when the task was most difficult and each time these men, part of the greatest generation, rose valiantly to the call to arms and did their duty.
I was touched by Band of Brothers and I am grateful to Mr. Powers and the other members of Easy Company for what they did for me. For all of us.
Please take a moment out of your day to remember "Shifty" Powers.
"We few. We happy few. We Band of Brothers. For those who shed their blood with us today shall always be our Brothers."
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