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

Hello,

The 551st PRCT Inf. ASS'n is considering dissolution due to its inability to continue to function with reunions, etc. Many Airborne units activated for World War II have ceased to function as an active associations. The 517th Association will continued to be active indefinitely, especially with the Auxiliary continuing to be more active.

I have in this Mail Call more emails between Howard Hensleigh and Mike Kane. One generation to the next generation.

Paratroopers' Odyssey is available for $22.50. Send payment to Leo Dean.

You may at times have a problem viewing photos. However, we place most photos on the website under Training and WWII Photos .

Please try to send in donations by August 15 to Keep the 517 PRCT Association viable. Suggested amount $30.00 to include Thunderbolt. Auxiliary members $20.00 Plus $10.00 if you want to receive the for the Thunderbolt. Send donations to Leo Dean, 14 Stonehenge Lane, Albany, NY 12203. Make checks payable to 517prct. Donations for the Auxiliary should be sent to Karen Frice Wallace 66295 Highway 20 Bend, OR 97701

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

Ben

Website www.517prct.org
Mail Call Ben517@aol.com

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

Snowbird mini-reunion
Kissimmee, FL
Jan 20-24, 2008

Recent website additions:

Matthew Skovera, HQ Co, 3rd Bn.

PFC Anthony S. Celli, I Co. (KIA)

517th Commemorative March 2007- Southern France

Richard Eaton videos - Witness to the War
Madawaska Victory passenger lists
1983 517th Reunion Booklet - San Mateo, CA

Bill Boyle news article

517 PRCT Association Officers

Darrell Egner

Sounds like you're having a great time on the other coast. We miss you here in Florida. If I had a memory like yours there is no telling what I would be doing today. I sure wish you could make the St. Louis Reunion in 2008. We dam sure would look after you. You may remember I pushed you up the ramp at the reunion in Savannah. OK you were a load but worth it.

Finally after all these years you made me feel good about carrying a Base Plate all over Europe. Your commitment to Mike about "no weaklings" in the Motor platoon made me feel great. When I put my fist through our great general, Dick Seitz's wall in the interview, I always figured he punished me and put me in the Motor section. My right shoulder is still lower then the left one.

Reading your and Mike Kane's exchanges in Mail Call is like reading a good book about WWII. Thanks to both of you for sharing.

Best Regards,

Darrell Egner

Pat Seitz and Allan Greer

Dear Ben:

Thank you so much for sharing the email correspondence between Howard Hensleigh and Mike Kane in the last two Mail Calls. It was a priceless experience.

Alan and I share Mike's admiration, respect, affection for and delight in Howard. He is not only a person of outstanding character, abilities and talents as a leader, military man and lawyer, but he is also a gifted writer and storyteller. But if two other factors had not been at work, we would not have had the chance to share in these thoughtful insights. First, was Mike's gifts as a natural (and fun) interviewer, as well as a wonderful, and obviously avid writer, and second, your amazing abilities to collect the correspondence and share it with the rest of us. Thank you again to you and your son, Bob for Mail Call. God bless you two, Howard and Mike.

Sincerely, Pat Seitz and Alan Greer

Howard Hensleigh

Darrell: I not only remember the push up the ramp, but things were a little goofed up at the table up there and on the banquet floor. I asked you to be my sergeant at arms and you got things straightened out pronto. When I commanded Co. D of the 168th Infantry, I was able to have one of the best mortar platoons in the state because of what I learned from you huskies in the mortar platoons of the 517th. It was really something to learn that Mike's father-in-law was in the mortar platoon of that Company during the long and numerous campaigns the 34th (Red Bull) Division. When he got his bronze stars, they weren't as easy to come by as later.

You are doing a great job as president and we will keep St. Louis in mind.

Airborne regards, Howard Hensleigh

Helen Beddow

Ben,

I have just read the new Thunderbolt, and I want to thank Darrell and Claire for their very upbeat and positive letters to all of us. Darrell's front page letter was fantastic!! (And he deserved a toddy after finishing that letter) I firmly believe that we will see an increase in the Auxiliary with the friends and families of our guys becoming involved in our endeavor. The momentum started in DC and it is up to all of us to keep it going in order to get more membership. Keep up the good work!

Helen Beddow

Lory Curtis

Ben,
At the reunion many people wanted a copy of the book I wrote about my dad and the 517th, "Letters Home: A paratrooper's story." They placed an order with me for the book, and I have good news the books are out from the printer. I will be sending them out this week to the fine folks who ordered one. More stories added from the reunion from Col Boyle, Maj Fraser, John Anderson, and Myrle Traver, with 38 new color pictures. Hope they like it. I would please ask those who ordered a book to email me at drlvc@comcast.net so I can make sure I have their correct address. Thanks

Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ, 1st BN