Ben and all,
As you may recall, from Portland reunion my friend
Don Adamski (fellow ski patrolman, true
devoted 517th supporter, and mad scientist), is producing together another
517 epic (the first production was my birthday). He is requesting photos of the
event for the disk he is preparing (at no cost other than mailing). Other
than from my son Mark he has received few photos. Please send him photo's if
possible.
Gene Frice, F
Co.
Tom McAvoy
Bucky Simmons, Sir, I would be interested in attending the Toccoa
reunion
and speaking to the school children of my War time experiences
in the
517 PRCT. However my health is a problem. If the thing was tomorrow
I
would, could be there, But 6 weeks away is another matter. I
shall
keep you posted as to my ability to be there. Tom McAvoy
Boyd Ellis
Ben..........THANKS FOR EVERYTHING...
Boom Boom Alicki
THE PROGRAM IS
THIS:
On Monday, September 11th, 2006, an
American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and
store in the United States .
Every individual should make it
their duty to display an American flag on this fifth anniversary of our
country's worst tragedy. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on
9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain,
and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished
freedoms.
In the days, weeks and months
following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the
incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those
flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough
times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in
solidarity.
Our American flag is the fabric of
our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.
Action Plan: So, here's what we need
you to do...
1) Forward this email to everyone you
know (at least 11 people). Please don't be the one to break this chain. Take a
moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide
you.
2) Fly an American flag of any size
on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't,
then at least make it a priority on this day.
Thank you for your
participation.
A rough translations of this
poem. It is in " L'OFFENSIVE DES ARDENNES" by Eddy Monfort
MANHAY
Hold At All Costs
Where are the worthy GI’s running who
liberated us,
They have their tanks, the Germans, with their
equipment,
Have been driven back. They seemed powerful,
Invincible
soldiers, masters for a very long time.
Each time the return of the
occupying forces is precise.
For the veteran of the underground the decision
has been made.
Once again, in the Ardennes, there will be vengeance.
Flee
people of the maquis, avoid judgment.
Civilians have left, replaced by
soldiers.
Speedily, they have been crowded into truck beds.
Since Reims,
in the rain, turning points, chaos,
For parachutists, what hell, no planes,
no trucks!
They were forewarned...in the winter by the fire.
A surplus
of potatoes, bacon, eggs.
The front has been made right. Manhay is in
the middle.
The site can be razed. Order to leave the
area.
The bolt on Fraiture has suddenly been released.
Spreading out
toward Manhay, grenadiers and tanks.
Evening descending on the Ardenne
obscures
The steel worms spitting their fire bursts
Suddenly, from
behind the low clouds , the moon appears,
Unveiling the barrages, a chance
for the enemy.
Under a pale halo, appears the reply.
Nine tanks
will be destroyed, the snow has betrayed them.
This Christmas Eve, will be
the breakthrough.
In the radio silence, for the imposed retreat,
An
audacious Panzer, between two Shermans, slips in.
Spreading terror…a feat of
great audacity.
The artillery intervenes from Monchenoul to
Deux-Rys
In three days the batteries will destroy the
dwelling
Through numerous battles, until body to
body,
Face to face with the enemy, their fate is sealed.
The region
liberated, the village
retaken,
The spoils of the sinister building will be counted.
Where have the
sheets gone, still so well-folded?
On a slain soldier, is where they will be
found.
Friends have left in pursuit of the enemy.
But the heroic
Ardenne regains his courage.
The meadows are cleansed and the lodging is
rebuilt.
At vespers they tell the tale of this hard, cursed
winter.
Today, the village, fixed like a terrace
on the side of the
green massif where violent winds brew,
Has found peace, let us hope,
forever.
Manhay, her story, her central square: it was well worth the
detour.
Manhay “cost what it may”. The alarm has sounded…and the
order has come
Down.
Hold at
all costs-“Tenir coute que
coute”
Emile PIRARD