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We should infuse our lives with action. Make it happen without waiting to happen. We make our own future, our own hope, our own love. And whatever our beliefs, let us honor our creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what we can to make grace happen ourselves, right down here on Earth. Here’s a narrative inspired by the writings of Chuck Yeager, Maj. General [ret.], about a quiet and humble American hero, Staff Sergeant Darrell C. “Shifty” Power.

A man has honor if he holds himself to an ideal conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so. It is not the honor that we take with us, but the heritage we leave behind that people cherish and honor.

Chuck Yeager met Shifty Powers in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time, he recalled.  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, I know exactly where Normandy is, 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 Powers 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 who 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. 

Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen volunteer to protect and defend this country and all its citizens, and do so with honor, integrity and excellence. Our nation continually asks them to do more and more, with less and less. And that's not right!

Let's give Shifty his own memorial service online, in our own quiet way. Please share this article, especially to the veterans. Rest in peace, Shifty.   

By Tim Pedrosa