From: Ben517
Sent: Sat, 7 Jan 2006 7:42:15 PM Eastern Standard Time
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 1038 517TH PRCT--JANUARY 7, 2006

 
70 Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA.02025  *781 383 0215 * Mail Call : Ben Barrett  Ben517@aol.com
 
Hello,
 
Reunions are getting close. The host need information as soon as possible. Florida is within two weeks and Palm Springs will be in April.
Portland will be in July. Bill Christian has requested information as soon as possible and explains why. Age an health problems become a greater factor with each passing year, but also creates a greater problem for the host as Bill explains in his message below.. I'm sure that Gene Frice would also like information as soon as possible about the annual reunion in July.
 
Thanks to all who expressed concern about my health. I have tried to respond to all and so I wont put them in Mail Call. Mail Call is about the 517th. I am feeling better but have doubts about attending future reunions.
 
Ben 
Website                                   www.517prct.org  
Mail Call                                  517th Mail Call
Mail Call Archives                  www.517prct.org/archives
Roster                                     www.517prct.org/roster.pdf
January 22-25, 2006
Bradenton, FL
West Coast Reunion 2006
Palm Springs, Ca. April 2-7
Annual reunion July 17-22, 2006
Portland , Oregon
Bob Christie
 
Claire, I see in Mail Call That you sent in reservations for the Days Inn. They said they weren't taking any more. I am confused. Leo Dean sent in his Registration and said he made reservations for himself at the Quality Inn, which is closed for repairs after a fire. If his reservations were accepted, the Quality is only about three blocks north of the Days Inn. As far as I know ,everyone received the flyer about the change of reunion site.  Can you enlighten me as to what is going on? I need to get a definite meal count very soon. Bob
Bill Christian
 
I am receiving a number of calls regarding the reunions in Palm Springs and Portland this spring.  Some indicating a definite one or the other and a few will attempt both.  I'm sure everyone is aware that contracts must be approved in advance with the hotels.  The West Coast reunion {April 2/7}is drawing close and I'm sure many Troopers may not have made up their minds, however I would appreciate some indication {if possible} on your attendance.  A simple notification   yes or no , leaning one way , still deciding  or some direction for me to continue my negotiations.  The hotel and restaurant are still planning our reunion.
        Thanks for your help God Bless and Have a Happy New Years                               Bill Christian 714 838 0613 ,cell bigzebra@global.net
Ted Crawford
Ben,
 Just a note to John Bramswig about Company A
John, I am the son of  PFC. Robert L. Crawford. I think we might have exchanged emails before.  My father passed in 2004. Great life, a great man.  Dad waited until he was in his 70?s before he talked much about the Bulge.  He said Company A  had a ton of wounded and killed. I have not really seen the stats but he said he remembered that at one point he was only one of a dozen men that could walk out.  I?m not sure what that meant but I have noticed for the last 4 or 5 years I have seen only a handful of soldiers from company A mentioned or communicating on the 517th site. I have seen your posts about your father-in-law, Ed Marconi. I have looked for many of the names in Company A to show up and unfortunately, it has looked like my dad was right that Company A seemed to suffer a good deal of casualties.  Dad mentioned that while many of the guys took care of each other, everyone was afraid to get to know each other too well for fear that they would be killed.  Again, kind of an unusual statement but, he meant it.  My mother said dad had night terrors until he was about 40. He would dream about the Bulge and thrash around at night. Before he died he began to tell some of the stories but he said there were some he still didn't care to tell.
 I did have contact with a radio operator from Company A.  My dad was given the Bronze Star for helping a wounded Radio Operator to safety during battle.  The Radio Operator from company A , I can't remember the name now, said that it wasn't him.   The commendation didn't say who it was he helped or even which Company the operator was from. but dad did verify it.  I can imagine it was difficult to tell if the guy next to you was from the same company sometimes. I know dad said he was separated a few times from company A and found them again.
John, my point is also, that Company A seems to be interesting in the fact that very few guys have shown up on the website.  Certainly, if your father-in-law was like my father; he was an incredible man that took over the room anywhere he was.  This seems consistent with any of the men of the 517th.  My uncle Alfred (Duane) Lamb., of Company F, is still alive today and full of life. Also, just an amazing man.  Dad and Duane joined together and saw each other throughout the campaigns, when they could. Duane Lamb took a chest wound in the Bulge and was evacuated.   One last note and a compliment to the guys that took leadership roles. When dad talked about WWII, he mentioned that he turned down some field commissions because he did not want to be a bigger target.  He found out very soon that the Sergeants and Corporals were getting wounded or killed too fast.  He said that he wanted to make sure he had the best chance to get back to mom.
 Regards,
Ted Crawford
Muncie, Indiana
Proud son of Robert L. Crawford, Company A
Darrell Egner
 
Subject: Fw: This is why we celebrate!

 
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II Cor 9:15
 

 
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