From: Ben517
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2005 2:22 AM
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 1004 517TH PRCT-NOVEMBER 3, 2005
70 Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA.02025 *781 383 0215 * Mail Call : Ben Barrett  Ben517@aol.com
 
Hello,
 
Bob Christie, our Treasurer, Thunderbolt editor and host for the Bradenton reunion will start chemo treatments Wednesday. Keep him in your prayers.
 
Ben

January 22-25, 2006
Bradenton, FL

 Copies of Paratroopers' Odyssey can be purchased for $22.50 from Bob Christie.  390 301 Blvd. W. Unit 10C, Bradenton, Fl. 3420
Terry Casey
 
Ben,
I have only recently returned from Europe where my husband and 2 friends
journeyed following in the footsteps of the 517th from Aug. 15th, '44- Feb.
9, '45. It indeed was a noble, most wonderful journey. I did my homework
well ahead of time, reading up on all that your website provides, +Battling
Buzzards, +The Paratrooper Odyssey. Many troopers also provided me with
advice and suggestions ahead of time to which I was indeed grateful, and we
were blessed with 3 most wonderful guides and friends of the 517th in Nice,
Manhay and Bergstein. What more could we have asked? We had perfect weather
for the trip as we traveled through southern France, Belgium, and Germany.
Yes, we absorbed as much of the 517th history as possible and felt its
spirit intensely during 2 most wonderful weeks. The trip without a doubt
only solidified what I have always believed about the regiment which is
profound respect and admiration for all you troopers. It also helped me to
bring closure to Jim's story and to realize that my brother was really a
pretty neat guy, a brother whom I could rightly be proud of.
Words are inadequate but I need and wish to extend my feeble but sincere
thank you for all the deeds and selfless sacrifices you all endured to make
peace possible for the rest of us. You men are the best.
Terry Casey
(sister of Capt. Jim Birder, Co. I, KIA 2/7/'45 at Bergstein)
Ray Hess,
 
Good Morning Ben: I have a question concerning the cemetery in your last
"mail call"  T-Sgt. Joe Samosoka  of "F" Co. was killed on the last day of
combat at Bergstein. Would his remains be buried in that Cemetery.   Best
regards Ray Hess.
                                                 **********
No. Next of kin could request that remains of those KIA be returned to the United States.-Ben
Message for Donna Hilliard
 

   ----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
donna.hilliard@usdoor.com    So! -Ben
Morris McDowell
 
Hey Mr. Boom Boom,
I was disappointed that your were not at the Savannah reunion. I have heard & read so much about you, I was eager to finally meet you. Perhaps we can meet at the next reunion. Best airborne regards, Morris McDowell, Cousin of Layton Pippin 'H' company.
Wayne Cross

Dad, I know you will get a kick out of the attached link having been in the Riggers and worked with heavy drop capabiity.  
Wayne C. Cross
 
Louise Chestnut  sent us this photo taken at the Savannah reunion. Florence Mehegan is in the center with Don Fraser's daughters . Nancy Armand Fraser and Bonnie Fraser
 
 
From the web site
 
Lt. Joe David Brown, HQ Co. 460 PFAB

Joe David Brown was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1915. In his twenties he worked as a reporter at newspapers across the country. When World War II came, he left his job at the New York Daily News and signed up with the paratroopers, where he became a forward observer with the 460th PFAB, and was eventually awarded a battlefield commission, the Purple Heart, and the French Croix de Guerre with palm. In 1950 he resumed his career by joining Time-Life, where he became a foreign correspondent. His many books include "Paper Moon", "Kings Go Forth", and "Stars in My Crown", all made into major motion pictures. He died in 1976.

"Kings Go Forth", originally called "Combat Mission", is the story of an American GI (Lieutenant) stationed in Nice during 1944, shortly after the invasion of Southern France.  Hmm.

See the movie info. 
And check out the movie trailer:  fast connection  slow connection