Have more mail to catch up on. I will be away starting August.1 for about
fifteen days. I will be able to receive mail but not sure if I can send Mail
Call out on an other computer because of large address book.
Gene Frice
Operation ReUnion, Portland, Oregon 21-25
July 2006
The Portland Reunion 2006, is now
history.
All but two events came about as
scheduled, were well attended, and were enjoyed by all. Two events, the
parachute arrival by the US Army Rangers was canceled by their command (weather,
FAA, funds?) The 517th 2006 Olympic Games, Day in the Park (sack race, baseball
and guerrilla training) was canceled due to most unusual 100 + degree weather.
The day in the park was delightful in spite of adversity and the Rangers arrived
for dinner.
The Paddle Wheel trip up the
Columbia and the visit to Howard Hugh’s Spruce Goose and the W.W.II museum was
an interesting visit to years past.
The
highlight of the week was the White Water Rafting and combat in the water. The
water was swift and the rapids gentle. The battles fought by the Pirates Team
and other water rats concluded with no winners even after several hours of
battle. The rafters fought each other, strangers, and innocent victims without
concern. The age groups were approximately 12 to 80+. It speaks well of
intestinal fortitude of the rafters. No injuries; several overboard members and
everyone was quite “wet.” Cool river water and 100 degree air temperatures and
absolutely beautiful mountain scenery.
The week
found us with excellent lodging, food, and companionship, although it was a long
walk between elevators.
By the way-the entire
week and all the venues was video taped by newly recruited auxiliary Don Adamski
(great views of the River Rafting). He will make the disk available for
approximately $ 4.00 (including mailing). Daughter Karen (Frice) Wallace will
publish details in e-mail.
When you have the
opportunity to speak with the various staff members that worked on Portland
2006; I would ask you to express your appreciation for their gallant efforts and
hard work. One trooper (me) stood around and watched. Auxiliary members, Jeanne
Davis, Gary Davis, Jr., and all the members of the Davis, Gilbert, and Frice
clans worked for the six short months from the Savannah reunion to accomplish an
excellent Portland 2006.
We now look forward to
Reunion 2007, which is currently planned for June 2007 in Washington, DC.
Be
there. We now need to look at Vice
President Tom Cross’s sage recommendations as to the future of the 517th and the
necessary steps that must be taken.
I will have
a few unpleasant words to say, at a later date, concerning our failure to
develop a corporate history in formulating a generic plan for our reunions -- such
a plan would have helped us greatly for Portland. We observed closely several
almost fatal economic traps. Such a plan is necessary regardless who is to
conduct the planning for the future. We have not had a plan in the past and do
not presently have one for the future. After 25 or 26 reunions ?? Seems like I
made several (four) requests for information relating to the
above.
PFC Gene
Frice
Your humble President
Scott Atkinson
Ben,
Just wanted to share my experiences in visiting Southern
France. My goal there was to better understand the area where the
517th was in action. My Grandson and I first visited with Robert Cohen in
Nice where he graciously escorted us around the area to include Monte
Carlo.
The next day Robert went with us to visit the Le Muy
Museum. I very much appreciated them opening the museum for our visit
as I was to understand that this day was not on their regular
schedule. Afterwards, we then drove east on the general route of
the 517th and eventually back to Nice.
The next day, we followed Robert in our rent car to
Sospel where we first met Roland. He treated us to a nice lunch;
afterwards Robert needed to return to Nice. Roland then showed
us the town including the monument to the 517th on the bridge where Company F
crossed when liberating Sospel. We then followed him to his house where he
produced his "517th Jeep" and took us up the mountain to view the Maginot Line
Bunkers. What a sight. From up there we could clearly see
Italy. Next he drove us to the house where 5-6 men of the 517th were
killed. There was no doubt that it was the same building but now rebuilt
and expanded. [My uncle Erwin W. Scott Jr. was in that house when it
blew. Fortunately he only received minor scratches.]
We next returned to his house where Patricia then joined
us. We proceeded on to our hotel where they graciously treated us to
a fine French meal. We had to leave the next day for our continued trip to
Normandy and see the D-Day Beaches.
All in all, the time we spent in Southern France was the
highlight of our Mediterranean Europe trip of 30 days. I have included
some pictures which I hope will encourage other family members to make this
trip. They should be viewed in order of their file name, numbers then
letters-numbers to match the flow of the text in this email.
I am really sad that I could not make the reunion due to a
health issue, especially since Jeanne Davis went above and beyond the call
of duty to get me registered late. Thanks so much Jeanne.
Scott Atkinson
Nephew to Erwin W. Scott Jr, Company D
P.S. If you can provide me with an address, I will send you a
copy of my uncle's transcribed oral history.
****************
We will soon have photos on the web site. Ben
Darrell Egner
Tom
Thanks for your E-mail and thoughts on the future of
the 517. I just returned from a months trip and did not attend the
Portland Reunion due to a prior commitment in San Antonio. I assume we
will be getting a report on the Reunion shortly. I certainly agree with
you that the 517 Association has been dormant this past year. After all
the effort that Howard put in to form the Auxiliary I don't see anything
happening. Frankly I had great hopes that it would carry on after all of
us are gone. I still have hopes!
Darrell Egner
Edith Miller
WONDERFUL!!! I am so glad Oregon came to the
party -- wish that I could have been there -- with Joe!!- - Edith
Miller
Walt Smith
Ben, Nothing new from this 'stay at home' member
of your illustrious group of warriors except my high regard for all of you and
other members working so loyally for the continuity of 517th. I have noted
so many others who have the same regard and appreciation. I hope to be
more prepared to attend the next get together. Bob, your web-master
son, while not always in the forefront is a 'not unsung' hero in his own right
and we all appreciate him as well. Nothing in my info to add for
Mail Call . Just welcoming you back. Walt Smith Hq
1st
Bob Christie
Ben, I received a letter from Vera Holdeman, widow of Lacy R. Holdeman
notifying us of his death. She said he was in the 541st Co. F I have him
listed in our roster, but with no unit indicated. Can anyone help me?
Bob
Jim Royer
Ben, Thanks for your information concerning the 2007 reunion to be
held
in Washington D.C in June. I will offer whatever support needed
and,
good Lord willing, we will plan to be there.
Jim
Dan Smith
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS
SATURDAY.
AS YOU MAY ALREADY KNOW, IT IS A SIN FOR A
TALIBAN MALE TO SEE ANY WOMAN OTHER THAN HIS WIFE NAKED, AND THAT HE MUST
COMMIT SUICIDE IF HE DOES. SO THIS SATURDAY AT 4 P.M.
EASTERN TIME ALL AMERICAN WOMEN ARE ASKED TO WALK OUT OF THEIR HOUSE
COMPLETELY NAKED TO HELP WEED OUT ANY NEIGHBORHOOD TERRORISTS. CIRCLING YOUR
BLOCK FOR ONE HOUR IS RECOMMENDED.
FOR THIS ANTI -TERRORIST
EFFORT, ALL MEN ARE TO POSITION THEMSELVES IN LAWN CHAIRS IN FRONT OF THEIR
HOUSE TO PROVE THEY ARE NOT TALIBAN, AND TO DEMONSTRATE THEY THINK IT'S OKAY
TO SEE NUDE WOMEN OTHER THAN THEIR WIFE AND TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR ALL
AMERICAN WOMEN.
SINCE THE TALIBAN ALSO DOES NOT APPROVE OF
ALCOHOL, A COLD 6-PACK AT YOUR SIDE IS FURTHER PROOF OF YOUR ANTI-TALIBAN
SENTIMENT. THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT APPRECIATES YOUR EFFORTS TO ROOT
OUT TERRORISTS AND APPLAUDS YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS
ANTI-TERRORIST
ACTIVITY.
GOD BLESS
AMERICA.