70 Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA.02025 *781 383
0215 * Mail Call : Ben Barrett Ben517@aol.com
Hello,
The recent photos sent to us by Frank Ramos and Don
Harte cover the history of our training better than most books.
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 June 28-July 2
. Banquet Sunday July 1. Depart Monday July
2
Ben
Recent website additions:
Paratrooper
Training - Fort Benning 1943 Frank Ramos
300 photos of John Harte and B
Battery, 460 PFAB
Pvt. John S. Hopkins
Claire Giblin
And now we're counting down -
I believe that we'll be among the first to arrive at the reunion next
Wednesday, as we move to make the
Doubletree our home away from home for the
long weekend. Things are going as smoothly as possible - those of you who
have hosted previously know that it's always something (or 8 or 10 things) - and
we know that the most important thing is bringing our troopers together.
Get the 517 together, and it's always a party! We're looking forward to
seeing old friends and making new ones. That way, the new friends from
this reunion are the old friends at the next one.
Your reunion co-chairs are myself, Allan Johnson, Leo Dean, and Ben
Barrett. One of us will always be available, and we look forward to
getting to know more of the extended 517 family.
Everyone, please have a safe journey to Washington!
Warmly,
Claire Giblin
Dick Seitz
Clarie, just a note to commend you on
the truly outstanding job you are doing as committee chairperson. You are
remarkable in all you have doing and I'm betting because of you magnificent work
we will all have a wonderful reunion. I thank for all you have done and
look forward to a great reunion. With great admiration. Airborne all
the way. Dick Seitz
Trooper Walsh
Hi Pete...
Like yourself, I am the son of a 517th original. Although I live
close to the Washington reunion site, I doubt I will be attending any of the
gathering or events for personal reasons. However, I've been reading
your posts here on the 517th forum since February regarding your hopes of making
it to this reunion with your Dad, and it is for this reason I am contacting you
today.
I would like to make the offer to you to serve as your personal chauffeur
and guide around town 24/7 if this will somehow help to make this trip possible
for you and your Dad. I have a van and can remove one or more seats as
needed to accommodate your Dad. Only thing is I am crippled (can walk
short distances with a cane) and would not be able to assist in major transfers
other than help getting your Dad in and out of the vehicle. That
said, Arlington Hospital is only minutes away if your Dad should need some
special attentions. But getting you to and from the airport, etc. - no
problems...! I would offer you my home to stay at, but all things
considered I think you would be better off with the accommodations there at the
hotel for day to day stuff.
I understand the risks involved for someone like your Dad in his
condition. But if your dad is anything like mine was, this reunion could
mean the world to him - especially to do it with you.
I never had the opportunity to attend a 517th reunion with my Dad.
Back in his day there were still plenty of 517th originals around so that
including dependent's, other than wives, was not as important as it is
today. If there is any way at all for you and your Dad to make this trip
together I know what it would mean to both of you.
Please consider my offer, and feel free to get hold of me at my contact
points, as below.
Best Wishes...TW<<
Trooper Walsh / Proprietor of ZooGenesis / Purveyor of
DragonTails
2393 North Edgewood Street
Arlington, Virginia 22207
Cell:
703.346.4432
twalsh@juno.com
Peter Jansson
Dear Ben: Dad is doing remarkably well. I cannot believe the
progress he has made the last 6 weeks. He is home now, and has
commented to me twice about the possibility of the reunion. I don't
believe it can be done, but I did tell him I would confer with his
physician. The doctors at New England Sinai Rehab told the family that
when he first came there in late March that they never thought he would be able
to leave the facility. I guess that shows again the resolve and
determination of the greatest generation, and specifically the 517th.
Although he has much that needs to be done physically and mentally, I truly am
thankful for his courage and grit--his comeback is part of a great
legacy that he started building even before WWII. Thanks for
everything sir. Pete
Pete is the son of Bertil Jansson B company. Bertil was planning on
attending his first reunion.-Ben
Lucky Hiers
Frank Ramos: we would love to be able to read what his brother
wrote in the Paratrooper's Training Book. What a treasure to have.
Regretfully, like many other Americans we have not learned the language of other
countries.
And Anne Valliere: We think it's grand that the four of you
will be at the D.C. reunion. We will pray your Uncle Carroll will steadily
improve. If he can't make it in person you will be able to re-live your
experience. He must be a very special uncle for
you and Leo to take such interest in helping him, and his son Scott
and wife Linda through the hospitalization time.
And Wayne Cross's story of the command styles of two General's was
most interesting!!! It reminds me of our telling our toddlers
and pre-schoolers about safety laws at the curbside. It's hard to obey and
the question is always WHY!
AND, Boom-Boom: We regret we have not known you personally and
we hope to HEAR a lot of stories about you while in D.C. next week.
It is certain that you will be on our minds and, no doubt, the minds of so
many others when we gather. Didn't know we had any old
codgers around!! From the bits we've read in Mail Call -- it
seems people should get together and write a book!!!
And for all of you out there who are searching for people who have known
your family members ... keep on keepin' on!
See ya'all next week, Lord willing and the creeks don't rise.
"Lucky" Hiers
Ronald Stassen ( Our friend from the Netherlands
)
Ben
If i send you my copy of the book of the 51th PRCT, would you let it sign
at the Reunion.
It would mean a lot to me.
Regards
Ronald
Dan Hoskins
Hi Ben. I
hope that you all have a great reunion. Please remove me from the distribution
list. Thanks,
Dan
Hoskins
Walter
Smith
First off, I hope to write this note
sans too many errors since reading and witting is a chore for my progressing
ARMD.
Ben, #1342 indicated
a trying day for you and you are a tolerant man to accept some of the criticisms
you are bound to receive in spite of the greater character of most
troopers. God blesses you for your tolerant and forgiving nature yet strongly
informative when necessary.
I am sorry that I can
not comfortably make the trip to the DC reunion with
you. Spinal stenosis (sp) which limits walking along with
vision limits are a factor. I am fortunate that Peanie and I had a local
tour to DC about a year or two ago but it would have been better with 517.
Perhaps, some day I
can leave Ohio and pass through your home own in Maine! Walt
Smith
Frank Ramos
Thanks for the quick response to putting them on the web site.
I sent it to my family and friends to showcase you great guys. I am very
honored and proud to contribute to the historical 517th site. I have
attached one of the only three pictures I have of my brother. Maybe
you can put that in the web site in some manner. By the way the web site
has in parenthesis that I am his son. I am his brother.
Look forward to seeing you.
Best
Frank
Louise Chestnut
We heard from Betty Smith today and she told us about Paul. He had
terrible pain for several months. I wish I had known him longer. He was a real
nice person. Thanks again for all you do.
Louise