Annual West Coast Party          Annual Reunion
APRIL  3-7, 2006                             July 17-22, 2006
Palm Springs, Ca.                         Portland, ORApril 2-7, 2006
                                                         

        Here are some items that I suggest be discussed at the California Mini Reunion in such a manner that will permit exposure and possible action taken

prior to the National Reunion in Portland, Oregon.  The fact that we now have National Annual Reunions has shortened the reaction time for decision making

for selecting a 2007 Reunion Site and other important matters that affect us as an Association in the final stages of passing our Historical Heritage to he 517th PRCT Auxiliary Association, as we have so agreed. Unfortunately. at this time, no such Plan exists even in rudimentary  form.

    We are grateful that Gene Frice  was able to come up with a Reunion Site and Program for the 2006 National Reunion.  It is no easy matter and we are

fortunate his leadership and judgment were equal to this task. We are also thankful that Howard Hensleigh is volunteering his legal knowledge and leadership abilities for insuring that we effectively plan for the eventual handover to the Auxiliary Association. Time is not on our side and we must start now to take the action as stated in the preceding paragraph.

    I offer the following items, with comments pertaining thereto, for immediate consideration by all addressee's listed in this message.

    1. Appoint a Permanent Association Reunion Committee.

       Comment: Since we have chosen to go to Annual National Reunions we do not have the time or capability to select a new Committee for each coming   successive year. Continuity is important when operating on an annual basis.

    2. Selecting a Source From Outside Our Association to Assist in Managing Our Annual National Reunions.

        Comment: Source selection would apply to such sole agents like the Armed Forces Reunion Inc. organization which has achieved considerable

favorable endorsements from other military organizations who have elected to use their services. Information on this organization is available and it will be presented for review at the California Mini Reunion. Additional possibilities are to join other Airborne Reunion Organizations and still retain our unit identity. Don Lassen's Annual STATIC LINE Airborne Reunion in Atlanta is another possibility. I talked to Don Lassen this week and he offered his services  to us stating that we could take advantage of his special Hotel Rates and also join in his Programs or modify ours in the manner we desire.  Additionally we would retain our unit identity and have our own hospitality facilities. I believe the time has arrived wherein we will have  difficulty in finding volunteers, with back-up, that we can count on to plan and conduct our Annual National Reunions. I believe the time has come to take a hard look at our capability to manage an Annual National Reunion from within our own resources.  This is an item for immediate review and a  decision made without further delay. I seriously doubt that we have the sustaining capability to support Annual National Reunions within our Association and that this situation will further deteriorate with the passage of time.

    3. Requirement For Author For 517th PRCT Column in the STATIC LINE Newspaper.

        Comment: This position was normally filled by the President of the 517th PRCT Association or a Volunteer from within the Membership of the  

Association. It is important that we fill this position. It presents an opportunity to inform other Airborne organizations  of our status and activities. I authored this Column for 8 years and I am fully aware of its value and need for both the Airborne Community and to our own Organization.  It joins us with the Airborne Brotherhood both past and present.  The Editor and Publisher of our THUNDERBOLT Newspaper would be  an excellent choice for this

 important function . 

    4. Funding the Thunderbolt Newspaper

       Comment: The funding for the operation of the THUNDERBOLT has been decreed and $10 out of the $30 donation is the amount set for the require for Association Membership. This implies that $10 times the total number of Members who each paid $30 for Membership is the total

 amount budgeted for operation of the THUNDERBOLT plus any specific donations, from Members or other sources, that designated the

THUNDERBOLT as the recipient of the donation. When you exceed that amount then you have exhausted the funds and need to go to the Board of Directors and Officers of the Association and justify the request for additional funds.  It will be at that time that the mess about whom other then the paid up members get free copies of the THUNDERBOLT and an end to the current confusion of whom gets when and why.  This must be settled and a clear policy announced and adhered to without delay. There seems to be differing opinions on this subject a the present time

    5. Appoint a Committee to Recommend a Policy for the Handling of Foreign Guests.

        Comment: The distinction between personal guests and official guests seems to be lacking. Official Guests should be defined and supported from Association or Reunion Funds rendered. in an appropriate amount.

 It would be of great benefit to the Officers of the Association as well as to the General Membership if we could address these issues prior to the Annual

National Reunion date. Please feel free to add your comments to the issues mentioned  in this message or for that matter anything else that would be of benefit to members of both the 517th Association and the 517th Auxiliary Association. We have an outstanding web site that can be used for this purpose

 Regards, Tom Cross

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Tom Stadler

 

HOT SHOT NAVY PILOT DOES A FLY-BY PAST FLIGHT DECK OF AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN F18 SUPER HORNET.

http://www.grunt.com/images-bs/f18.jpg

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Tom McAvoy

 

Ben   I am about ready to send my registration and list of events I (we)
want to attend in Portland ,Oreg. I am wondering if any plans are in
effect should a person have to cancel to get a refund on monies sent?
Almost $2,000.00 bucks involved here including Airfare and Hotel.  I
have purchased  refundable Air tickets so that cuts off about $890.00 
Since we are all so  so so old, about anything can happen. I have had 5
major surgeries these past two years,  don't plan to have anymore  but
you never know.  Thank-You  Tom McAvoy

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Bob Lyman

 

 

My name is Bob Lynam. My brother, Richard Lee Lynam was in the 517th Airborne. He was killed at the Battle of the Bulge on January 5, 1945. I understand he was awarded several citations and ribbons, some of which were lost when my father was living as he had a flood in his basement. I was wondering if I might be able to obtain the citations and ribbons that are missing.                                                                                                                     

Richard's body was brought back to Ohio and buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Worthington, Ohio. I am Richard's only survivor so would appreciate any information you are able to obtain for me on Richard's combat duty in Europe. Also, I would appreciate hearing from anybody who might have remembered him.

Thank you,

Robert J. Lynam

E-mail - Boblyn7980@aol.com.