NOTE TO THE MAYOR AND CITIZENS OF SOSPEL TO BE DELIVERED BY OUR
AMBASSADORS, PATRICIA AND ROLAND ORENGO:
On the eve of your annual liberation celebration, 28 October, we, the men
of the 517th, send you our heartfelt salutations. We are most
grateful to your mayor for sending us the magnificent plate engraved with your
bridge of liberation. It commemorates the sixtieth anniversary of that day in
1944 when the men of our Combat Team entered Sospel ending the long period of
insufferable occupation. We trust that the celebration this year on the sixty
first anniversary will be equally festive.
One unrealized wish is that we could have been in Sospel sooner. Those big
guns tunneled into the mountains that overlook your picturesque city held us up
while you suffered. Another is that we could be with you to celebrate this
memorable day with you. We know you share these wishes.
Til we meet again, Howard Hensleigh
Past
President of the 517th Association.
Gail Jeff Douglas
Mr. Hensleigh --
Thank you so much for your kind words. In
reading the accolades of the Savannah reunion, I realized how much my father
would have enjoyed being a part of that special gathering. But. . .know
without question that he, among many others, were there in spirit.
I never know exactly how to classify Dad's
affiliation. As you say, he was with Woody Woodhull (who he often
mentioned through the years) of the 460th. But some of his records also
indicate HQ, 1st Bn. Perhaps you can clarify it for me sometime. As
for Woodhull, Dad often wondered if any of the 517th ever had contact with his
family members. Dad said that Woodhull had a sister. I hope his
family members know how respected he was among those who served with
him.
You mentioned a conversation with Dad. If I'm not
mistaken, I think I have a recording of that conversation. The recording I
have is an interview that a I gentleman did with you and Dad
together. If by some chance, you do not have a recording of the
interview, let me know. I'd certainly be happy to share a copy with
you.
Sincerely,
Gail Jeff Douglas
Shirley
McCarey