What a great time was had by all in Bradenton!  As usual, Mildred and Bob Christie put on a fun time and did a great job.  They are great hosts and as I always tell Bob, I'm not comin' unless there are cookies and banana bread involved!  We in the Auxiliary were able to see each other and do some informal talks, as well as draft an update for the Thunderbolt.  We met old friends and made new ones, and it was a wonderful time.

As usual, Ben won the prize for "Worst Travel Story."  Poor Ben was supposed to have been on the ground in Florida by about 1 in the afternoon and didn't get to Bradenton until - well, it was just about the next day.  I seem to remember that Ben was snowed into Boston just a year or two ago...

The Gulf Coast is beautiful, and many of us enjoyed the food at the Seafood Shack, down by the water.   During a daytime coastal trip with Leo Dean, we snapped some pictures of the statue of the famous sailor kissing the nurse (The LIFE magazine photo).  If one turns out well, I'll forward it - it was great, and really a monument to your generation. 

It is always great to see the 517 family and we were sad to think that this might be our last Florida mini.  We are thrilled to hear that the Webbs and the Polks are hoping to host in Kissimmee next year, and we will all stay tuned to Mail Call to hear the final verdict. 

Hoping for good turnouts in Palm Springs and Portland, and beyond -

Claire Giblin, daughter Allan Johnson, 596

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Poor Claire, Allan and Leo picked me up at the airport long after their bedtime.-Ben

Darrell Egner

 The Mini was a great success under trying conditions.  Bob and Mildred Christie did a great job putting it on when he was going through his medical problems and wondering why some people did not receive theirs.  Bob your a real trooper, frankly I don't know how you do it.

Ben: 

    Here is a smiggen of information on Service Company for Harris Johnson.  On the August 15, 1944 airborne invasion of Southern France, the Combat Team was badly scattered.  Third Bn. lit furtherest from the drop zone in the rough terrain east of Callian.  So did Service Company, or most of it.  When I found out where we were and had rounded up most of Hq. 3rd, G, H, and I Companies, we started for Callian.  The highest ranking officers were first lieutenants who took charge of their companies.  Until Capt. McGeever appeared late in the day, Lud Gibbons acted as Bn. Co.  I acted as S-2 to find the way back.  Between where we landed and Callian, we picked up most of Service Company.  They were happy to come along with us.  When we arrived in Callian, I found a man in Service Company who spoke French.  Through his efforts we found a Callian man willing to go along with us as a guide.  The Service Company men made the forced march with us to the drop zone area.  We arrived there late in the afternoon of D plus one.  We went into an attack then on the South end of les Arcs.  The Service Company men split off and started doing what they did best. 

    They always gave the Combat Team excellent support. 

Howard Hensleigh

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Harris Johnson

 

Hello Ben,

 

Had a delightful telephone conversation with Forest Wellman this afternoon.  Interestingly he now lives in Greensboro.  We will be in touch again on the Service Company.

 

Harris   

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Tom McAvoy

 

Morris Mcdowell   Hey sport   try if you can to get Fred Harman to get
his experience in the 517  down on paper  before he is unable too???
Fred has excellent recall on so so much that happened, Tom McAvoy

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Tom is correct. Fred Harmon is the Howard Hensleigh of H Co.- Ben

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Carol Monkhouse

 

DEAR BEN JUST WANTED TO SAY I HAD A BEAUTIFUL CONVERSATION WITH FRED HARMON.  WHAT A WONDERFUL MAN .HE TOLD ME STORIES ABOUT DAD.  HE SAID DAD GOT A SILVER STAR IN BERNIEN GERMANY TOO. GUESS IT MUST BE AMONG THE BURNED FILES.  I JUST LOVE THIS SITE YOU WILL NEVER KNOW CAROL MONKHOUSE 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team 2006 517th PCT West Coast Party   Dates: April 2-7, 2006 Place: Ramada Resort/Palm Springs, CA Registration: $50.00 per person Room: $61.95 + city tax per room (single or double occupancy) Dates: April 2nd - Early Registration, Optional April 3rd - Official Registration - Hospitality suite 331 and 332 10AM to 10PM April 4th - Barbecue Buffet by pool for troopers and family 11:30AM-1:30PM April 5th - Social Day - Golfing, Shopping, Follies April 6th - Men’s Business Meeting 10:AM-11:30AM Conference Room                     Farewell Banquet - Dinner and Dancing 7:00PM-10:00PM April 7th - Check out.  Have a safe trip home. Hospitality Suite open daily in Rooms 331 and 332 10:00AM –10:00PM Open Bar and Snacks Ramada Resort Palm Springs, CA Phone 1-800-245-6904 in Calif. 1-800-245-6907 outside Calif. Be sure to mention the 517th PCT Please make registration check payable to: William T. Christian (Bill) Mail to: 17422 Parker Drive, Tustin, CA 92780 Questions call: (714) 838-0613 Families and Friends Always Welcome