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

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Please let me know if you want to receive Mail Calls or if you have a problem receiving them. You can always read Mail Calls by clicking on www.517prct.org/archives

Washington Reunion. Arrival Wednesday June 27. Banquet Sunday July 1. Depart Monday July 2

The Armed Forces Reunions has notified us that together we will soon outline the basic structure of the reunion and determine what tours and group functions there will be

Ben

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

Reunions Florida Snowbird Mini-Reunion January 21 - 25
2007 Palm Springs, CA Mini-Reunion April 15 - 20

Washington, DC National June 27 - July 2

Click on http://517prct.org/auxiliary/ to find the mission of the Auxiliary and an enrollment form

Peter W. Jansson

Dear Mr. Bennett: My name is Peter Jansson. I am the son of Bertil G. Jansson who called you yesterday (Nov. 19th, 2006) regarding the upcoming reunion June 27-July 2nd of the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. If there is any information that you would like to forward to myself or my family, you can reach my work email address at service@copelandstreetautobody.com or my home address at janpigpen@aol.com. My dad saw the announcement in DAV magazine and is very interested in attending. He is 85 years old and was a member of Company B. Dad is not schooled in, nor does he have a personal computer, so I would like to try and help him if there is any information he can obtain electronically through myself. When he showed me the announcement in DAV magazine I almost jumped out of my chair when noticing your phone exchange was 782 and then 383. I said "Dad-this gentleman in charge of the reunion lives right here in Cohasset, MA.! In any event, I am here to help him in any way attend the event--and thank you also for leaving the 517th website address in that announcement. There is a ton of info that I am going to print out for him this morning. Mr. Barrett, if I can help in any way also--please let me know. I thank you for all you do for the heritage of the 517th. The whole world owes the greatest generation and your colleagues an enormous debt of gratitude. I only wish my generation could emulate yours 1/10th of what you and my dad have done. Sincerely, Peter W. Jansson.

Howard Hensleigh

Note for Dennis M. Sura: Your father was wounded at Bergstein on a very rough day. Much has been written about that diversionary attack, that many have termed mission impossible. I loved those H Co. guys and was with them on many a patrol, including one on D plus 2 near les Arcs, France. My best, Howard Hensleigh

RICHARD HAMMEL

hammel@coastalnet.com

Plan to be at the Washington Reunion as it is only a short distance for me to

travel. Neither Edna or I are in good shape. Please keep E Mails coming.

Richard Hammel Co E and a short spell in Hq 2

Bill Christian

Hi Ben I hope my copy of the reunion was clean. Do you use my copy or do you have to retype the sheet. If there was something wrong with my copy I ll send another. I've been having some problems lately with my computer, especially after my 14 yr old grandson spends a couple of hours playing war games on the set. Let me know since I don't want the troopers think I'm loosing it. Thanks and God Bless Bill

Tom Mcavoy

Hey Ben, About the game last week Ohio state and Mlchigan score 42-39 Ohio State?? The sharpies played the numbers in the Ohio State lottery (pick 4 -I think a daily game ) Don't you know it hit and 400 winners had picked it??? I wonder what it paid??? Tom McAvoy

Peter Jansson

Good Morning Mr. Barrett:

First off, I beg your forgiveness in yesterday's mail. After I had sent it off to you, I re-read it and, to my chagrin noticed I had spelled your name "Bennett". I guess my brain was merging "Ben" and "Barrett" into your surname. Shameful. The first thing they teach you in elementary English class is to proof read your work before submitting it. In any event, I printed a bunch of stuff off of the website that you had in that DAV announcement, including the one on "WWII vet's web site helps the 517th stay connected." What a marvelous piece of journalism!! You must be very proud sir. I left my office in Quincy early (around noon) after having printed all this for my Dad and drove to his house in Plymouth. Dad, myself, and my older brother Paul poured over it and discussed it till after 6 p.m. When growing up Dad never wanted to discuss his service history, but as he has aged, he has opened up more to my siblings and I. It's funny, on Sunday before he called you he brought up the "Santa Rosa" and the trip from Norfolk, VA. to Naples. Two things he spoke of were the fact that because of its speed, it did not travel with a convoy (if his memory serves correct). The other thing he chuckled about was that there were also WAC's on board. Then I peruse the site, and see a whole history of the "Santa Rosa!" In ending, I just want to say how much everyone is indebted to you (and your son) for all the work you do to preserve the proud history and tradition of the 517th. I never knew this site was available, and in studying it for just 2 days, I am in awe of the sacrifices and valor of this regiment. I consider it an honor to have just had the opportunity to speak with you electronically. I hope to someday shake your hand and thank you. If I can make sure my workplace is secure and running smoothly, I promised Dad I'd love to accompany him to Washington on June 27th. In admiration and thanks, I shall now sign off. Peter W. Jansson.

This photo was taken on our 1994 trip to Belgium-Ben