For those that had orders
for items from the Savannah Reunion, all orders for clocks, shirts and money
clips have been shipped as of December 5th. The reprints on the
pictures arrived today. I will have the pictures shipped no later than
Monday, December 12th. Hal and I are going to
Atlanta this weekend for
the Baptism of Hal's second great-granddaughter. If I can get the pictures
shipped before we go to Atlanta, I will do so, otherwise, they will be
in the mail by the 12th. I have ordered some extra money clips
and clocks if anyone needs
them.
I
want to thank all of you for being
so patient with me in getting the orders to you. I am sending a CD to Bob
Christie of the pictures so they can be put in the Thunderbolt. I
especially liked the picture of all of the men on the front steps of the
DeSoto.
Hal and I want to
wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
Thank you for coming to
Savannah for the Reunion and having such a great
time.
It was so nice
to meet so many wonderful people.
Blane Dolges
Ben
Jim Dipko is my cousin KIA
June 24th 1944 Staff Sergeant, Jim was killedbefore I was born. He and his
loss is very dear to my family.
We have no pictures of him, Tom Cross
told me he should be in the picture of E Company at Toccoa from Lee Lacy that
was just placed in the photos on your web site. He knew Russ Brami and Gene
Brissey also. I can not tell you how much I enjoyed talking to them.
Lately I have not been able contact them. I hope all is OK. I think I found Jim
in the photo, I have an older cousin that may be able to pick him out. I know he
was with you guys for a short time and it may be hard to ID him. I just
need to know what direction to go.
There is a story I
have.
The only thing we had left from Jimmy was one of those old red
hunting coats back in Pa. My daughter was
so proud of that coat she took it to school each day in Orrville, Ohio. Orrville
is where Smuckers Jelly started out. It looked kind of old and a teacher
thought she was poor and asked her if they could buy her a new coat. She advised
them very proudly of the coats story and that was that .
My daughter is back
home on our farm in Pa. with my grandson who just got here in June. The farm is
the place Jim used to play when he spent summers with his grandmother. I will
pass on all I can to my grandson the story about Jim and about the history
of the 517PIR.
Thanks,
Blane Dolges
1-800-433-1986 Ext 5955
Joe Miller
Ben--To those who remember him--Joe Miller is in the
hospital after a bad fall Thanksgiving at 5 A.M. He is one big bruise--all
except his head. His spirits aren't bad, considering the fall.
Fortunately, he doesn't have any fractures. His buddy in the 517th, Bill
Conger, is having a lot of problems with his thyroid and is also tired and weak,
so include them in your prayers
***************
Remember Him!!! Joe Miller
is a past president of the 517 Association and was instrumental in getting the
Airborne Stamp approved,-Ben
Howard Hensleigh
Hi Ben:
Note to Jay Sutcliffe. The 517th saw all of
its combat as a separate combat team. We were 5th Army troops in
Italy, First Airborne Task Force troops in S. France and 18th
Airborne troops in the Bulge. You wrote a good letter. I am not surprised that
that damned marine has not answered you. Howard Hensleigh
William Cornett
Hi Ben
I am going to be in Florida in Jan. 06. I
know the reunion is that month. If I recall it might be the end of Jan. Hope not
. I was hoping to attend so I could meet some of the guys my dad had the
privilege of serving with. Let me know the date and place if you would please.
William Cornett
Betty Traver
Hi Ben, just got a email off
to Col. North as requested. It would be wonderful to see him do a show on
the 517th.
Myrle and I
wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Betty Traver (F
Co.)