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Ben & Gene  After trying to understand the AFR reunion correspondence I decided to ask Colleen to give me a short and direct example of a typical contract and the estimated costs. The one page simulated contract I forwarded to you was a typical contract with actual ESTIMATED COSTS using as a basis ,approx 100 in attendance in a city commensurate with this number and seasonal availability. The estimated costs as listed are true, remembering that daily food and beverages are at each individual expense.  When you add the listed costs  and what you expect to pay for food and drinks you have a true picture of your actual costs for a reunion hosted by AFR.  Using their figures a sample of costs per person LOW Hotel 90, Reg fee 12, Tours 28, Banquet 30, Total $160 plus daily food and beverage. HIGH Hotel129 Reg fee 12 Tours 50 Banquet 38 Total $ 229 plus daily food and beverage.  These figures are very accurate, taken from their contract sample. A final unknown cost is transportation to and from reunion city.  I have tried to give you an idea of the costs per person and a decision is not mine. As I mentioned, age, travel inconvenience, and physical condition must take top priority regardless of costs.  I  assumed both of you talked to the folks at the reunion and should have received some feedback My feedback was very non-commint using my listed priorities as their response. I hope this helps, reach me if I can give further input.  Thanks  Bill

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Dick Seitz

 

Ben, I agree 100 percent with your views on management of 517th reunions.  With growing respect and admiration for all you  do for so many.  Airborne all the way! Dick Seitz

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Jean-Loup Gassand

Thanks a lot to Howard Hensleigh and Gene Brissey to
have told me they were willing to help me in my oral
history research. I am sorry to hear the Elswoth Hager
has passed away though.
Any other troopers who were in southern France,
especially from E, G and I company are welcome to email
me their phone number at  jean-loup@gassend.com
I will phone you during the month of july, as I am
currently not at home.

Jean-Loup

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Darrell Egner

Ben

If anybody is interested please go back to Mail Call #1111 and read Gene Frices comments titled Thunderbolt.  I read it as stating that all special events are paid by specific donations and not dues, including the Thunderbolt.  I read your post with interest stating that our By-laws do not prohibit the use of funds in the Treasury to publish the Thunderbolt.  I read the By-laws word for word and could not find anything prohibiting the use of our funds to publish the Thunderbolt.

 

I am not privileged to know how much money the 517 has in CD's or in the bank but I would guess we are not broke.  Regardless if we do have the money in reserve or not I stand by my suggestion that the Thunderbolt only be mailed to those of us that pay $12.  As Bob Christie tries to mail three issues per year that is $36 per year.  The other $24 could come out of the General Fund if more then 10% (?) of the members paid their $30 dues.  Again I would suggest that this problem be given careful discussion at the Portland Reunion.

 

My Mother told me from the start that nothing is free.  Why should the Thunderbolt be free?  I subscribe to at least 10 magazines and if I don't pay they stop sending them.  Simple, isn't it?  Frankly it amazes me that the board voted to charge $30 dues to keep the 517 going and yet the vast number of members ignore this.

 

I would suggest that Bob Christie devote a full page in the next Thunderbolt detailing what the membership decides in Portland regarding the subject of Dues and the Thunderbolt.  I sure would hate to see the Thunderbolt die for lack of funds but it could happen if we don't step up to the plate.

 

Darrell Egner.

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Gene Brissey

 

Ref Mail call 1112 and the options to have someone take care of reunions. Option #3 sounds good to me.
Gene Brissey

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Howard Hensleigh

 

Another note to Jean-Loup:  What I did not say in my previous note to you was that the 3rd Bn. S-2 section rode out of St. Cezaire in the mayor's Fiat sedan.  Rene Benoit, our French speaking French Canadian from Vermont, "liberated" it from the mayor without my knowledge.  We needed a patrol vehicle and used it, so I have to take responsibility for the "liberation".  The big difficulty was that my Hq. Co. commanding officer, Joe McGeever, was left in town to make peace with the civilians, represented by the mayor.  I can only imagine what the mayor said to Joe, but I sure remember what Joe said to me.  He gave me the worst chewing of my life  If the mayor or any of his descendants are still in town, please give them my apologies.  In scouting ahead near Grasse, we ran into Germans who pursued us in a couple of armed vehicles.  With them in hot pursuit, we ran out of gas.  Benoit coasted into a large complex out in the countryside, ran up the the man in charge, came out with what appeared to be a can of gas which he poured into the tank.  The car started and we sped off.  When the dust settled, I told Beniot the French residents didn't have any gas so how did this guy out in the countryside come up with some.  He told me it wasn't gas but alcohol used to make perfume. 

 

Given time and Benoit's ingenuity, the western world should solve its dependence on Mid East oil.  Howard Hensleigh