596th PCEC portraits
Colonel Bill Boyle in Southern France
517th Regimental S-2 Section in France 1944
Bill Boyle news article
Zoot Snyder, A Company
Boom Boom Alicki in Southern France
250 photos of Don Saunders and 596 PCEC

Claire Giblin

Hi, Ben -

Just a few random thoughts keep popping into my head in these post-reunion days:

Tom Copsey brought cookies from a family recipe! They were quickly gobbled up in the Hospitality Suite, but were so good, I'm wondering if we shouldn't be asking for the recipe for Mail Call! Yum! I remember that someone brought a nut dish as well, which also promptly disappeared. Nancy Barrett donated the chocolate Capitol Building, which made it about to Friday afternoon, as I recall, before pieces stared getting hacked off and eaten. Thanks to all who donated time and goodies!
A big thank you to those people at the banquet who called to me that the benediction had not been done (as I mistakenly said goodnight to all). Thank you, thank you for saving me!
Patrick O'Donnell, our keynote speaker, was just the best. He is a real friend to the 517, and I am so happy he came to speak!
One family let us know in the Hospitality Suite that they had misplaced or lost $100. I'm sorry to say that it didn't turn up, but if anyone found it, we know whose it is.
Our sick call people are all doing well. We were happy to see in Mail Call that Julie Chestnut's father Bruce was doing well. Mildred Christie and Babbie Boyle, both attacked by elevators, are doing just fine. Marty Donahoo (I am spelling that wrong! Lud Gibbons, ) is also great. Wonderful reviews of local hospital facilities!
So glad to meet both Lory Curtis and Trooper Walsh, both of whom seem virtual legends due to their Mail Call contributions.
Pat Seitz said something along these lines, and I have to echo her sentiment: It was just wonderful to watch a static line jump with my dad. I listened to the questions from the children and grandchildren, and the emotion of it caught me by surprise. It was quite an experience.
The display of WWII artifacts, including weapons and mess tent supplies, was really interesting. Brought to us by the TriState Living History Association, it was a nice addition to the Hospitality Suite. The Living History people - reenactors, most or all from the Jump Team - knew all the 517 history and were thrilled to hear it from the mouths of the vets as they reminisced.
Great to see grandchildren getting their Paratroopers' Odyssey books signed by our favorite vets at the banquet and throughout the reunion. They are meeting history, and having their books signed is a great way to start.

Paratroopers' Odyssey is generally considered to be the textbook of the 517. It is available in paper for $22.50 at reunions, or a bit more (to cover postage) between reunions. Donna Hilliard has some, and I have many more. Let us know if you need a copy.

Have a great day, everyone.

Claire Giblin

Claire Giblin

Hi, Ben -

Since the reunion, there has been a lot of interest generated in the Family and Friends of the 517 - the 517 Auxiliary!

The Auxiliary is NOT an old-fashioned Ladies Auxiliary! Auxiliary is a legal term, and Howard Hensleigh has advised us that it's what we are, legally. Having said that, we're going to start using a Friends and Family designation, because we want all the men folk to feel right at home! Wives, widows, sons, sons-in-law, grandchildren, daughters and friends - this is your Auxiliary! Nieces, nephews....you all get the idea.

Membership in the Auxiliary is $20 per year or whatever your personal situation can manage; no one with ties to the 517 will be turned away. Auxiliary membership does NOT include the Thunderbolt, and here's why:

Some households were getting the Thunderbolt when they didn't want it. Some were getting two copies unnecessarily. The Thunderbolt is expensive, and we don't want to be using printing and postage unless we have to.

If Auxiliary members want to receive the Thunderbolt, please send a check for $10 to Leo Dean, 14 Stonehenge Lane, Albany, NY 12203.

One of the Auxiliary's stated goals is to provide reunion assistance to veterans. Personally, I am hoping that an Auxiliary member will chair or co-chair our next national reunion. It is truly rewarding!

Come join your Family & Friends - 517 Auxiliary and help us put on the next national reunion in summer 2008!

Claire Giblin

President, 517 Auxiliary

Darrell Egner

Troopers

To honor our combat jump in France we have set August 15, 2007 as the date for us to donate $30 to the 517 PRCT. This will also cover your subscription to the Thunderbolt. Needless to say if this causes a hardship for anyone please pay what ever you can afford.

Checks should be made out to 517 PRCT and mailed to Leo Dean at the below address.

Leo Dean

14 Stonehenge Lane

Albany, NY 12203

We are waiting for the results of a survey I sent to the Board of Directors to select a City for our 2008 Reunion. It will be hard to top Washington but we will try our best.

Mark your calendars for January 20-23,2008 for the Florida Mimi. Hope to see you there!

Darrell Egner

John Hopkins

Ben,

This is John L. Hopkins. My father, John S. Hopkins, was with the 517th in 1944. We're not sure of the exact dates. There was a picture of him posted in one of the hospitality suites during the reunion. I understand General Seitz thought he might recognize my father. I wonder if you would forward this (or my email address) to General Seitz. If my recollections of my father's war experiences are accurate, a Major Seitz was one of his commanders. I would surely like to pick General Seitz's brain and see if he is that person.

Many thanks.

John L.

Fred Beyer

The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

Steve Markle

Now on the website 596th PCEC portraits

596th Parachute Combat Engineer Company

596th at work on demolitions at Nice airport fortifications

click on pictures below to enlarge

Alan Ward	Bernard F. Barnes	Col. Robert Darlrymple	D. Leo Turco
Ernest Kosan	George H. Shull	Harold (Hal) Roberts	Harold (Hal) Eddy
Joe D. Miller	Michael Bulino	Patrick L. Michaels	Peter Zubricky
Willard (Bill) Conger	William (Bill) Hudson	William Christain	Eugene Markle

received July 2007
from Steve Markle