Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA.02025 *781 383 0215 * Mail Call : Ben Barrett Ben517@aol.com

Hello,

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

Reunions Kissimmee , CA Mini January 21-25

2007 Palm Springs, CA Mini April

Washington, DC National June

Details later

Gene Frice

Ben,

     I will be departing for WA DC for the period of 19-28 Aug, however should be able to be on the net sometime during the period. However several notes prior to departure:

     So sorry to hear of passing of Silas Brown. Don another fine trooper -- may he rest in peace and my condolences to the family.

     1. Reference letter from Bob Sweet (Silas “Don” Brown)

          Bob Sweet wrote relating to the passing of Don and about a military honor guard. Ben, you have been involved and know the procedure for the arrangements, but to respond to Bob’s letter, as we know, the management of military sites provides services for veterans. Frequently, it is not the “airborne” service we desire. I know of several organizations providing excellent uniformed “airborne” military services for the occasion and they do so for any military service member without cost. One service "airborne" I appeared at was the “Boots and Chutes, located in CA. I am sure they know of other organizations in different areas. Others of the 517 may know of such in their area-call me if I can help.

     2. Wade Gilbert’s proposal

     Information to all. Wade Gilbert’s outstanding proposal has been on the books for a considerable length of time (too long). No action was taken at the time as the Presidency was initially changing hands, Portland was arising and the Auxiliary was starting up. Frankly, we recognized the benefit of the proposal, but we did not know quite how to handle it.
     We endeavored to address the proposal at Portland, however the “big time” mechanics involved with Portland planning got in the way.
     At this time we need to take board action on the matter. I approve of Wade’s proposal.

     3. Issues remaining:

          a. Receipt of a formal (other than e-mail) of proposal document from Wade Gilbert.
          b. Review by former presidential officers Howard Hensleigh and Tom Cross, and necessary steps by 517th Secretary and Treasure.
          c. Formal submission of the proposal and acceptance by the 517th Board of Directors, and the 517th Auxiliary Board of Directors, who are currently active in that
position.

     4. Recommendations for panel of officers to serve for the 2007-2009 period
          Steps need to be initiated for the selection of the panel to be submitted at the January 2008, Florida reunion.

     5. 517th Reunion Sites

          a. The proposal by Claire Giblin for the 2007-517th Reunion Site, Washington D.C., was formally accepted by the present Board of Directors (3) plus Ben and myself, at the Portland Reunion.
          b. The 2008-517th Reunion choice needs to be addressed and discussed at the January Reunion, Florida. The Portland Reunion was a success only because of the outstanding crew working hard to meet short time-fuse commitments.

     Gene M. Frice,
     517th, President

Bob Reber

Dear Ben,

Please forward to Mail Call:

I am deeply saddened by the news of Silas Brown's passing. He is a special person who helped me find out much more about my late father than I could ever hope for, given the number of years that passed since they were spotting and calling heavy mortar fire together. I really enjoyed coat-tailing on the visits with Mr. Brown and Mr. Royer and hearing them remember the good and not so good times that they shared. I am so glad that Jim Royer and Silas Brown found each other, these past few years.

To the Silas Brown (HQ 3rd) Family,

Thank you for sharing your husband, father, father-in-law with me. I am richer for having had the pleasure and honor to meet and get to know him. I was truly blessed to be able to share recollections of my late father with him. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Tom Reber

son of Lt. Bob Reber (HQ 3rd, heavy mortars)

Claire Giblin

Hi, Ben -

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Silas Brown just the day after the 62nd anniversary of your invasion. We've enjoyed seeing Silas, his wife, and daughter Donna at the reunions.

Our very best to them at this difficult time. Silas was a wonderful and quiet gentleman, and it was our privilege to know him. The fact that it was 5:17 pm, though, gives me a bit of a sad smile. His heart belonged to the 517.

Claire Giblin

daughter Allan Johnson, 596

Nila Gott

Ben,

I was so sorry to hear about Silas. I would like to have an address where I can send my condolences.

Thanks,

Nila Gott

Daniel Curtis

I would like to offer sympathy to the Brown Family in there time of loss. It is sad that after a different kind of battle we still yet lose another fine TROOPER. May the peace of knowing that the Major was respected and cared for comfort the family in their time of loss. The 517th has again lost another true patriot. God BLESS AMERICA!
Daniel Curtis and Family

Pat Seitz and Allan Greer

Dear Ben:

Thank you for letting us know about Aime. He was fantastic to us last year when Dad, Alan and I went back to visit. What a wonderful, devoted person he is. He loves the 517th and we have some pictures of him and the events he organized while we were there. He is a remarkable individual. Alan and I hope that we can learn enough about taking our digital camera's pictures off the picture card and putting them on the computer to share with other 517th members who haven't had a chance to visit recently.

Sincerely, Pat and Alan

Frice Children

Dear Ben,

We are the proud family of Gene Frice and we were honored to attend the reunion in Portland with three of his grandchildren in tow. It was a memorable week of visiting with Our Heroes and taking in the sights of Portland. The hard work of so many people like Jeanne Davis, Gary Davis Jr., Karen Wallace, Robin Homedew, Laurie Lowry and many, many others was tremendous. These people really love all you paratroopers and their hearts shone brightly with every act of service. Thank you family!

To all you fine soldiers, it was truly an honor sharing a table with you. We will remember your stories, our children will pass them on and we look forward to seeing you all next year!

Our love,

Mark and Natalie Frice, Garrett (14), Carly (10) & Ethan (6)

Gene Frice

Ben,
I noticed Col. Wallace's (G Co's Charles E. Wallace), Alexandria, request to be placed on the email roster. If Col. Wallace would like to call me in WA DC and leave a message. I would be pleased to discuss our "today's" 517th. I could be reached at the Holiday Inn, 703 815 6060 (Chantilly-Dulles).
Gene Frice, D Co

Bob Christie

Ben, Perhaps someone would like to volunteer for the position of Business Manager and Advertising Manager for the Thunderbolt. Bob

Did you know that Silas Brown succumbed to cancer? We will miss him

Lory Curtis

Ben,
Good to have you back and getting out mailcall. I have missed
having mailcall pop up on my email for these past few days.

I have a question. A few years back I sent an email message concerning
artillery rounds that landed around my Dad Bud Curtis, and Colonel
Boyle on Dec 26, 1944. Colonel Boyle had responded to my email with
what had happened. I have been searching the past emails on the web
site, but cannot find his answer about the artillery rounds. Can you
advise me how I could find that email that Colonel Boyle had written???

Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ, 1st BN

Ron Robinson

Ben: Please add Karen Bellm to receive Mailcall. She is the daughter of Gene Harms 517 PIR Company A. She is also my niece and Gene is my brother in law. Her email is: dbellm@dtnspeed.net

Still trying to find members or photos of Company A 517 PIR. Especially looking for members from Jan 45 to May 45. Gene Harms my brother in law was a member of Company A during that time. If there is a company history would like to know about that.

Thanks

Ron Robinson