From: Ben517@aol.com
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 7:49 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 1172 517TH PRCT-AUGUST 28, 2006
 70  Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA.02025  *781 383 0215 * Mail Call : Ben Barrett  Ben517@aol.com
 Hello,
Paratroopers' Odyssey can be order from Bob Christie rjcx517@aol.com for $22.50.
 
Ben

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 27-JULY 2
Details later
Jim Royer
 Ben,  How sad it was for me to receive the news concerning the passing
of Sgt. Brown.  he will always be "Sarge" to me. Lt. Reber, Sgt Brown
and myself were always together. I was the "runner" for the the 81mm
mortars. I was always with Lt. Reber. On the day he was hit, he told me
he was going out for a short while. I asked him if I should go with him.
He said, "No, I'll be right back."  I was standing next to Sgt. Brown
when we received the news that our Lt. was hit. The both of us looked
like two lost souls. But, Sarge jumped right in and took over.
How ironic that he died on the evening of Aug. 17 at 5:17. Donna was
able, somehow, to obtain an 88mm shell. His ashes were placed in the
shell for  burial.
   Donna asked me several months ago if I could come down and see Silas
for one last visit. I tried and tried, many times, but was un able to do
so.  I could not make his memorial service due to very important doctor
appointments for both my wife and myself.
   For years, I tried to get Sarge to come to our reunions. I am so glad
that we finally got together about two years ago in Kissimmee, Fla.  A
great Trooper, a loyal and faithful friend, has now gone "Home". Rest in
peace, my friend. We'll see you later.
                                         Jim Royer, Hq 3rd.


Jeff Wilhoit

Howard,
I would like a copy of "Paratroopers Odyssey". Who should I contact ?
Jeff Wilhoit
Bob Dalrymple
 
Subject: This one's a keeper


Bucky Simmoms
 

Gentlemen,

 The local schools have invited all veterans to attend the Toccoa schools Thursday, or Friday Oct 12, or 13 to speak to some of the classes. The kids would really enjoy hearing what you guys would have to tell them. All veterans are invited, no matter what or any combat service. There may be a very limited number of re-enactors, so, we are depending a great deal on you men.

 Please let me know if you could help us out.

Thanks,

Bucky Simmons


Bill Christian

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Stamping Grounds •••


Al Eckart

Hi Ben
I am a member of the V F W  in MT Holly N. J. We were going through some records, and I came across the name Arthur Morin his discharge said Hq Hq Co 517th, message center chief 674. He was our commander 1953 54 &55 he was also state commander in the 60th.I couldn't find him on the 1944 roster maybe some of your members remember him? Thought this would be of interest, he passed away about 10 years ago.  I have also been in contact with Charles Wilmerton Co I he lives about four miles from me , he is doing real well & working five days a week. He was a good friend of John Rupczyk also Co I.
Al Eckart


Jay Sutcliffe

Hi Mr. Barrett

 Reading Mr. Hensleigh’s description on how to properly land when jumping really reminded me of my Dad.  Approximately 20 years ago my father asked me to take down a very large tree in front of his house.  After a lot of work and a lot of time, I was down to the trunk and a single branch that hung over my parent’s fence.  This branch was very large, and a good 30 feet from the ground.  A mistake cutting it would mean the fence being destroyed. I finally worked up the nerve to cut it down.  With a large extension ladder and with a game plan I went up and started sawing the branch.  When I herd the cracking noise of the branch starting to fall, I started down the ladder.  All of a sudden the branch snapped lose and was heading right for me.  I did the only thing I thought would save me from being crushed by the branch.  I jumped off the ladder.  As soon as I landed I knew I had broken my ankle/foot.  As I was laying there in unbelievable pain I looked up, and there was my father leaning over the top of me reciting almost verbatim what Mr. Hensleigh wrote; ”Keep your feet together and knees slightly bent with enough tension to absorb some of the downward motion on impact; don't look down so you won't know exactly when you will hit, but look out at the horizon so you will know about when…..”.  To this day when my dad’s mentioned that story comes up and we laugh as hard as we did when it first happened.  After I got back from the hospital of course. J  Obviously the landing was something that was very ingrained in all Troopers. 

Thanks to all the Troopers fro sharing their stories and to you Mr. Barrett for all your Hard Work J


 Bob Christie

Ben, The price is $22.50. Make the check to 517th.PRCT Assoc. and send it to me. I order them from Donna. We are doing better. Mildred had another stent and she is feeling better. I had surgery on my temple supposedly a biopsy to check for macular degeneration. It was negative but I am still having headaches and don't feel too good in general. I took the Thunderbolt to the printer this morning. The details for Washington will have to wait until December unless I get the info in the next week. Bob

Heather Riley

Thought you guys might like this one.
Heather
See you in DC.  I will be making reservations early.
 

YOU vs. HE

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.
He stays up for days on end.

 You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water. 

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick. 
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward. 
 
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket. !
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.  

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists. 
 
You complain about how hot it is. 
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow. 

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong. 
He doesn't get to eat today. 

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes. 
He wears the same things f or weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean. 
 
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over. 
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months. 

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday. 
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet 

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything. 
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting. 
 
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him. 
>He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded. 

You see only what the media wants you to see. 
He sees the broken bodies lying around him. 

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't. 
He does exactly what he is told. 

You stay at home and watch TV.
>He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.  

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken  by gunfire.

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is probably a worse
place because of men like him. 

If only there were more men like him!
********************************************** 

If you support your troops, re-send this to everyone you know . If it gets to another veteran who hasn't received it yet, it will bring back memories.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.