From: Ben517
Sent: Thu, 2 Mar 2006 7:27:32 PM Eastern Standard Time
Subject: MAIL CALL N0. 1069 517TH PRCT- MARCH 2, 2006

70 Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA.02025  *781 383 0215 * Mail Call : Ben Barrett  Ben517@aol.com
 
 
Hello,
 
We have information about the Portland Reunion. Print the registration form and with payment mail to Jeanne Davis .Register as soon as possible to help the reunion committee. We will print registration form again in future Mail Calls.
 
Ben 

Website                                   www.517prct.org                                                        
Mail Call                                 
517th Mail Call
Mail Call Archives                
www.517prct.org/archives
Roster                                     www.517prct.org/roster.pdf

West Coast Reunion 2006
Palm Springs, Ca. April 2-7

Annual reunion July 17-22, 2006
Portland , Oregon

Don Saunders
 
 Ben,
I went to my son's house today (it was my house, that my wife Marian built in 1950) and picked up my old parka that was issued to me during service in late 44 or early 45. We in the Engineers did receive them. It only has fur around the hood. If you want I can send you photos of same.
Don Saunders, 596th Eng Co., 517th PRCT
Judy Downing
 
 
Dear Ben, Thank you for all the updates. I will be going to the Palm Springs Reunion without my husband this year. He would have wanted me to go as we never missed a Palm Springs Reunion.
I downloaded the music to the Paratroopers song but some how missed the words. Is it possible to e-mail them to me?
I really enjoy reading all the information from everyone. It's nice to see the families wanting to participate.
O. E. really enjoyed reading all your information also, I miss him so very much.
Many of his friends sent me notes or called , you are all a wonderful support group.
 
Mrs. O. E. Downey Hdqtrs, 1st, 517th
Judy Downey
 
 
Ben, Sorry I did find the song and works to the Paratroopers song,
Thanks Again,
Judy Downey wife of O.E. Downey HDQTRS 1st, 517th

Gene Brissey
 
Gene Brissey
I have read much about those white outfits that some men wore and which most didn't. My experience as follows: We in Company E wore ODs with rare exception.
Don't remember seeing any white outfits as we approached a large forest, Auf der Hardt woods I think. The going was very difficult slogging thru the deep snow with a lot of German guns unloading on us. As we entered the wood under heavy fire the company was spread around. I was following the platoon leader with the third platoon when he stopped us and directed that I remain with the platoon while he went looking for the rest of the company. He never returned and as we waited I heard troops walking a few yards near us. we didn't know who they were so we kept quite for 20 minutes or so. Finally I sent word back that we were moving out. As we walked forward and I fell into a ditch in the snow. Couldn't see a thing so we followed the ditch with my legs guiding us by feeling the banks of the ditch. Finally we caught up with the company just at the break of dawn. Soon word was passed back asking if the third platoon E. Company was back there. If so send them forward. We went forward and some officer directed us to go into the woods to look for Germans. Soon we came face to face with them. We tried to get them to surrender. We had two guys who spoke German. Our request was denied. They made the same request to us. No deal. Someone fired a shot and all hell broke loose as we chased the Germans through the woods and returned to the other troops. We all moved into a holding position and dug in. Now what does this have to do with white outfits? Well, some officer sent for me and offered me a white outfit. I objected because I would be the only one with white. He insisted saying after what you did this morning we don't want to loose you. He made no mention of what I had done. Anyway I wore a white outfit for a few days until we helped capture St. Vith, the last battle of the Bulge.
Gene Brissey
 
517th PRCT Annual Reunion
 

You are cordially invited
 
To attend the 25th
 
517th Regimental Parachute Combat Team
 
Reunion
 
Your hosts will be the Gary Davis & the Gene Frice Families
 
To be held in Portland, Oregon
 
July 17 ? 22, 2006 
 
Red Lion Hotel on the River
 
Jantzen Beach  -  Portland
 
909 N. Hayden Island Drive
 

Portland, OR   97217
 
 
 
1-503-293-4466  or  toll free 1-800-733-5466
 
$89.00 + tax Standard Room, single, double or quad
 
$99.00 + tax  River View Room, single, double or quad
 
wheel chair access/free parking/free airport shuttle
 
Please make reservations directly with hotel by mail or phone
 
mention the 517th PRCT , deposit required, refundable up to 30 days prior to July 17.
 
REGISTRATION FORM
All tours are based on a minimum of 30 paid passengers.  Driver & guide gratuities not included.
For registration and tours you may mark the registration form and send with your check made payable to Jeanne Davis and mail to:
Jeanne Davis
8613 East Valleyway
Spokane Valley, WA  99212-2848
 
Telephone  (509) 924-7052
E-mail: jdavis101@hotmail.com
 
Name __________________________________________Spouse ________________ Children _________________
 
Address _______________________________________________________________               -----------_________________
 
City _________________________________ State __________ Zip ______________                _________________
 
Phone _______________________________ E-Mail ___________________________               _________________
 
Cell Phone ___________________________ 517th Unit _________________________
 
Registration Fee          
 Includes Thursday morning breakfast, Friday night dinner & Hospitality Room     $75.00 pp _________  
 
Monday - July 17th
 Registration and check in
 
Tuesday - July 18th
 The Spruce Goose/Evergreen Air Museum, lunch at the Rex Hill Winery 9-3:30pm  $54.00 pp _________
 
Wednesday - July 19th
 Columbia River Cruise  Views & vistas of the Columbia gorge, Multnomah Falls & more.           $69.00 pp __________
                                                      Your gourmet lunch is provided.  8:30am to 4:30pm
Thursday - July 20th
 Morning - Men's Breakfast and business meeting
 Morning - Women's Breakfast and social hour
 Afternoon - Day in the Park with Softball, frisbie, helicopter rides for 517 troopers. Golf carts available
               Lots of shade and resting places. entrance to Pearson Air Museum, a BBQ Dinner provided.                   $20.00 pp __________
 
 Friday - July 21st  (choose 1)
Portland City Tour (3 hours) Includes China Town, Victorian homes, fountains & famed          $34.00 pp __________
                                                  Rose Garden and Hoyt Arboretum   9:00am to 12 noon
White Water Rafting on The Clackamas River, min. age 6 (Approx. 6 hours)          $50.00 pp ________               Transp. to & from the river, exp. drivers beautiful scenery, wild life & a box lunch included   8:30-3:30
                                                                        
Farewell Dinner               
 Cocktails at 6:00 pm
 Dinner at 7:00 pm                     TOTAL    _____________
 
Saturday - July 22nd
       Check out / Farewells/Travel Safe