We were so sorry
to learn the very sad news of Aime's sudden death. Words are so
inadequate to express our sorrow and sympathy. We hope you know you have
many members of the 517th and their families who have you in our thoughts
and prayers.
How blessed we were
to have met Aime and to have his enthusiasm, knowledge and leadership guiding us
when we visited southern France with my father, Dick Seitz, in July of
2005. Aime made our trip a trip of a lifetime. What a wonderful,
witty, charming, intelligent and fun-loving guy he was. What a great
smile and such energy (to say nothing of his love of fine wine!). We
would never have known he was a resistance hero himself had others not told us;
he was so humble never talking about himself. There was nothing that he
did not do to help us, introduce us to folks, give us tours, as he did all
returning veterans and their families, to say nothing of his efforts to preserve
the history of the 517th's efforts in August of 1944 especially the Cemetery in
Draguignan (what a moving visit he arranged there). We have lost a great
friend indeed. He was a person of positive, true impact who taught us the
importance of demonstrating our gratitude to those who gave their lives so that
we can live in freedom. We will treasure the pictures we have of him and
Antoinette (including the one Antoinette painted), plus the memories of the
incredible 14th of July celebrations we experienced because of him and his love
of the 517th.
May the Good
Lord enfold you in His Divine Love and give you His Peace to help
counter your sorrow. We thank you for sharing this great man with the rest
of us as our lives are so much richer because of him.
Sincerely,
Patricia Seitz and Alan
Greer
Bob Dalrymple
What a shock ! He was so faithful in his admiration of
our fighting for France's Freedom . Not only was he an honorary
member of our Combat Team, he had a special place in his heart for the 596th and
vice versa . He was also a great host when we came to Nice .Since you gave me
his address and phone number in December, I kept saying to myself , "I'm going
to call Aime. ". Then I procrastenated and now it's too late . I
am remiss, indeed. and very remorseful . Please express my
condolences to Pat,Dan, and Liz . God rest his Soul in Heaven . Bob
Dalrymple
Arnold et Irma TARGNION,Maria GASPAR
Dear Ben,
We are really upset about the sad mail and the lost of Aimé Léocard. It is
a bit strange but I am but I cannot reach the E-mail address of Jean-Michel
and Eric. In french, I will send our condolences. Thank you; Irma, Arnold and
Maria
Chers amis et famille d'Aimé,
Nous vous présentons nos condoléances émues et sincères et nous pensons à
Aimé avec qui nous avions partagé des moments d'émotion durant plusieurs
réunions 517th aux USA. Quel homme attachant et chaleureux, il était dévoué,
respectueux et fier de rendre hommage à ces valeureux soldats qui nous ont rendu
la liberté. Cordial, comme seuls savent l'être les gens du sud, il était un lien
solide et fidèle entre son pays et l'Amérique. Qu'il repose en paix au paradis
des hommes braves et courageux. Nous ne l'oublierons pas.
Arnold et Irma TARGNION,Maria GASPAR, Comité d'Accueil des US Airborne
Trois-Ponts, Belgique
Rick Sweet
Hi Ben,
I finally got my
pictures back from being developed and there are a few that I have never seen. I
was hoping that you could add them to the 517th site. Does anyone recognize any
of these guys? It looks like some of these pictures were taken in Germany. Did you
notice all of the bullet marks on the wall underneath the horse statue?
Wow!!!!!!! Some pictures were taken from a C-47! I would really like to meet you
fellows at the Washington reunion but I think I am going to have surgery on my
back (fusion) ! I can't stand the pain any more.
I would like to say something to you
men. I want you to know how important it is that you tell your stories to your
kids and grandkids so that they will know what you went through and what war is
really like.
I know it's hard for some of you to open up but
take it from someone who's dad died when I was four. It is so hard to track where
you were and what you did after you are gone. Bad things, horrible things happen in war, but you did what you
had to do to survive. Please let us know before it is too late. I am proud of my
dad but I never got to know him. He drank anti-freeze and died in February
1959. Please open up to us and tell us your story because we need to
know!!
I think Jay Sutcliffe would agree with me. He
had his dad a long time but he is still seeking answers. I am proud of all of you
and hope that I can meet you and shake your hands
someday....................................
Rick Sweet ,son of Odas Sweet
A
Battling Buzzard and Devil in baggy pants
Bill
Goswick
Ben,
I was wonder how I could find out which operations my uncle Jesse
Goswick was involved in. The only one I was aware of is the one where he was KIA
in Southern France.
Thanks again,
Bill
Tom McAvoy
JOE CALDER
To John A. Alicki (AKA Boom
Boom)
You never mention Georgia. How is she??? For those who
never met
Georgia. She was the most beautiful Telephone Operator at
Camp
MacKall.!!!!!
Boom Boon Alicki
Glad to
know you are still kicking Joe. She is just great married for 61 years to
an ole paratrooper like me. Thanks for the compliment. I agree she
was the cutest Telephone Operator we had in the South Area of Camp MacKall, NC.
To jog your memory check page 202, lower left side of our Paratroopers'
Odyssey. She's at the switch board and standing at the door.
Our kind
regards to an old friend.
Bill Christian
Ben, No problem with your mail reception, keep me posted if you
think there is a problem. Here is a list of those who have already signed for the
West Coast Reunion Lud Gibbons, Marty, Gene
Frice/daughter, Vera Anderson, Gerald/Betty Davis, Jay/Rita
Castello, J.Knopf/son, Leo Dean, Bill/Gloria Hudson, Ponnie Davis [Bill Lewis' sister]. I have at least another dozen or so who have called with assurance
of attendance. I'll post those when I receive their final commitment.
Bill