70
Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA.02025 *781 383 0215 * Mail Call : Ben
Barrett Ben517@aol.com
Hello,
Just trying to catch up on email.
It will take time to rehash the Washington reunion in future
Mail Calls.
Some of the usual suspects.
Thanks Claire - Hi Teresa ( favorite Flight Attendant Alaska
airline ) - Sorry Leo -- Vice President Dick Cheney - Fraser Boyle - 517 Chaplin Fred
Brown - Paul Carpenter shared shrapnel with me - Lory Curtis "A Paratrooper's
Story" - Rosalind Markle (sketch) -Thanks Claire - Hi Mardi "love in the
heart" - Pat Seitz and Allan Greer - Charlene Wilson and Jasper - Lance Anderson
(video) - Melvin Biddle ( MOH ) - Phil McSpadden (Camera Was WIA) -
Marvin Moles sans helmet - Gene Frice and daughters - French friends Lizy and
Jimi - Pat and Dan Smith ( 23 family members) - Bill Webb ("one book left") -
Heather Riley ( Blue Book ) - Dick Baysinger (pool Shark) - Frank and Jo
Dallas - Lud Gibbons ( Manhay) and Marty - Donna and Leah ( Florida mini ) -
Frank Ramos - Liberty Jump Team - Secret Service - Donna and Helen - Charley Cook (North Pole)
- Pres. Darrell Enger -
Stevenson Wallace ( banquet) - Molly Dey (ARM ) - Thanks Claire.
If the above doesn't make sense, It isn't supposed too. It's for
paratroopers and those who were roped in to it all.
Ben
Recent website additions:
Paul Abbene
Hello Ben, I hope you've caught up on some much needed
rest . It was a great weekend, thanks for your hard work that made it so. Over
the weekend I heard that one of the troopers had a stroke. ( I spoke briefly
with his wife in the hospitality room , I didn't get her name) You might know
who it was or can find out.
I thought it might be a nice idea to post an
address so that everyone could send get well wishes to him.
Also there was a
woman who was injured by an elevator door. It might be nice to do the same for
her.
It was great to finally meet with you and thank you personally. I enjoyed
the reunion very much.
Be well. - Paul Abbene
Judie Chestnut
Ben. Just wanted to give you a heads up that my Dad is doing better,
but did have a light stroke. We checked him out of the Alexandria hospital
on Sunday and drove back to S.C. on Sunday. He's gained much use of his
left hand. The hospital was wonderful. Probably the best hospital we've
ever had any dealings with. For them being so far from home, that
was very reassuring.
Mom, Dad, and I are so sorry we missed the
activities. We look forward to seeing everyone in Florida. I hope
the Cheney made it to the banquet on Sun night.
Judie
Mildred Christie is also well.- Ben
Miriam Boyle
Please add me to the mail call list.
Miriam C Boyle
David Condero
Mr. Barrett,
Thanks so much for your response. Your
email came when I was on vacation. I
have been on the site quite a bit
lately and enjoy it a lot. You've really
done a great service to people
seeking info on the 517th. I enjoyed reading
your bio and others. I would
like to receive Mail Call, if that is all
right. My email address is
dcordero78@hotmail.com. Thanks so much and I look
forward to hearing from
you again.
David
Trooper Walsh
>>Hi Ben...
FYI, I have
copied you in to an e-mail I just sent Peter Jansson
regarding his family's
arrival tomorrow. I plan to pick them up from the
airport upon arrival
at ~ 5:30 - 6:00 PM. Can you please give me your
cell phone # so that I
can contact you as we leave the airport...? I
assume you wanted to meet
them at Hotel Registration to get them situated
- yes...?...no...?? For
that matter all of use will need your help
registering for the Reunion
itself.
My cell # is listed below, and please use it 24/7 in regards to
anything
you see or can think of that allows me to serve the Janssons...or
if
there is anything I can do for you for that mater...!! Without rush
hour
traffic I am only 10 - 15 minutes from the Hotel in Crystal
City.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I only wish Tom Cross
could
attend the reunion. My continued prayers are with he and
Bette.
Regards...TW<<
Trooper Walsh / Proprietor of
ZooGenesis / Purveyor of DragonTails
twalsh@juno.com
Trooper Walsh
Hi Pete...
Good to hear from you...! I would suggest you call my
cell #703.346.4432 as soon as you land at Washington National. As I live
close to the airport I will be ready to leave with my van, and by the time you
pick up luggage I should be there.
I believe all the arriving passengers depart the terminal
building on the lower level - just outside of the baggage carousels.
Now... When you leave the area marked US Air and go outside you will see
two parallel one way roads for vehicles to pick up passengers. The first
one closest to you is for taxies and busses only. Then there will be a
narrow pedestrian area and then the second road - I will be driving around that
area looking for you on the pedestrian area outside the US Air area. I
will be driving a gray Toyota mini van with a small American Flag attached to
the car antenna...and I have brownish-graying short hair and a trimmed white
beard. If we seem to be missing one another just try my cell
#.
Now...lets see... I assume your Dad will be in a wheel
chair....?...hopefully the collapsible kind...? If so we can tie it on the
van roof if necessary, and or I can remove one of the passenger seats - whatever
gives you guys the most room. The Hotel should be no more than ten minutes
from the airport, unless I get confused with the exits...which is
possible. BTW - it is going to be extremely hot and muggy tomorrow
afternoon with code Orange for folks with respiratory problems, etc. I'll
have the AC cranked up when I arrive, unless that bothers you guys.
I am going to try and get Ben's cell # tonight (unless you
have it?) so we can call him as we leave the Airport and he can meet us at the
front desk to get y'all set up in your rooms. From there I will be coming
and going throughout the weekend, being at your service 24/7 for anything you
need and want to do. For instance, I don't know which of the trips you
might want to see but you might be more comfortable traveling in my van
than rather than the bus...??? We can work that kind of stuff out as
we go.
Also...there may be things/places you would rather see or do
besides what is listed for the 517th...like - if you are into firearms history,
the NRA Headquarters and Museum is only 30 minutes away without traffic. A
funny thing...I was there a few months ago and when I entered the WWII section I
found a photo of my Dad with a short Bio along with his Colt 1911 that he had
carried in that war...! For a variety of reasons I had to see it after Dad
died 20 years ago and it is now owned by a local private collector who has it on
loan to the museum. I am now hoping to buy it back!
Can't think of anything else just now. I might touch
base with you one way or another before you leave. I am very excited about
this trip, especially for you guys and my opportunity to serve you any way I can
- so don't be shy about speaking up...lol...!...TW<<
Trooper Walsh / Proprietor of ZooGenesis / Purveyor of
DragonTails
2393 North Edgewood Street
Arlington, Virginia 22207
Cell:
703.346.4432
twalsh@juno.com
Hello Trooper Walsh:
Forgive my tardiness--I'm trying to tie up loose ends at work
and take care of the details of the trip. I believe Mr. Barrett is kind
enough to handle the details of accommodations at the Doubletree and the events
of the weekend. As for our logistics, we are scheduled to leave Boston's
Logan Airport June 28 on US Air flight 2041 @ 3:45 p.m. and arrive at
Wash/National (DCA) at 5:17 p.m. My work # for tomorrow till we leave my
jobsite @ appr. 12:30-1:00 p.m. is 617-479-6352 my cell # is 617-365-3047.
Thank you for your very appreciated kindness. Let me know if I can help,
and I/we look very much forward to meeting you sir. Thanks,
Pete.
Trooper Walsh <twalsh@juno.com>
wrote:
>>Hi Pete...
Just thought I would drop you a line to see how your Dad
continues to recuperate, and whether you have made any headway with his
physicians regarding travel OK for him to attend the 517th
reunion...??
I don't know if you noticed it but either yesterday or today
there was a post on the 517th forum about the availability of a couple rooms
at the host hotel - doesn't get much better than that. However, even if
you were unable to get a room at the main hotel I'm confident we can find a
convenient spot for you guys to stay. Heck - if necessary I might just
move my family to a hotel for the weekend and have you stay here...! As
mentioned previously my place won't be as fancy as the Doubletree
Hotel...however it has successfully housed people here for over 50
years...!
This whole process of trying to get you and your Dad here
for the reunion has sparked my own interests to attend beyond what it has
been. In part this has involved recent correspondence with Gen. Seitz,
Col. Cross, and others encouraging me to attend...and it seems to be
working. Prior to all this I had personal reservations - but I figured I
would be comfortable enough just being of quiet service to you and your
Dad. It's a long story, which I may share with you if you make it to
Washington.
So now for many reasons I hope it works out for y'all to
come...!! Of course it's important to listen to what the docs say
regarding travel for your Dad, but it just seems many things are falling
together last minute, and I don't believe in coincidences. But if
nothing else...your Dad is now aware of the many 517th web sites, books, and
fellow Brothers out there for him to catch up with. And I feel as though
I am working on making new friends with the two of you...and I so admire the
enthusiasm both you and your Dad have to join in with the 517th
together. I envy you in a way as I never shared that experience myself
with my Dad.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards...TW<<
Trooper Walsh / Proprietor of ZooGenesis / Purveyor of
DragonTails
Dear Sir: Thank you for your kind and considerate
offer. Dad is now home after a pedestrian auto accident occurred on Dec.
29th 2006. After months of critical care and 6 different intubations and
3 different trach's, Dad is finally home. He never talked when we we
young kids, but I now know how proud he was to be a member of the 517th.
He is also proud of his combat infantryman's badge. On July 5 2007, Dad
will be 86. I know before the accident he asked me to accompany him to
this reunion. He had seen a blurb in a copy of DAV in early December of
2006 and asked if I would like to attend. I do not think Dad ever knew there
had been other reunions before this one. There are no words to express
my love for Dad. I cannot thank enough the Barrett family and this
website for a new education to me. Ben and his son helped me get in
contact with the Jackopsic family in Connecticut, whom Dad has memories
of from their days in combat. The Barrett's have been wonderful.
Although Dad has only been home for 2 weeks, he continues to inspire his 4
children -- his appetite is good, his physical recovery is amazing--he needs to
let the caregivers do their job in his home without his interference.
The greatest generation. No doubt about it. Pete. He is now
helping as he always has of taking care of his wife, our mother, at home, who
has serious advanced Alzheimer's disease.