Hello General Seitz,

I hope you remember me, Teri, and the rest of the Tri-State Living History Association.  We were the young bucks who jumped for your regiment and put the display up in your hospitality suite at the 2007 reunion.  Well, I just wanted to say that (I speak for the entire group) we enjoyed your group so much and had a wonderful time being guests at your reunion. 

This was a very important event for me personally, because this was my first reunion and I was one of the key persons involved with the planning.  I guess the hard work paid off because I had a blast and I'd like to think that the 517th members and families had a good time too.  Plus my pictures are filled with smiles and handshakes!  Well, I remember that you invited our group to next year's reunion and many of us who joined the 'mail call' know that the 2008 reunion will take place in St Louis.  Lucky for us, we have plenty of guys who live in that immediate area, so hopefully our planning will be less arduous. 

Well, I want this email to serve as an RSVP, so to speak, for your invitation to next year's reunion.  We loved the 517th and we would be honored to set up another display and jump for the 2008 reunion.  I'm the contact again this year and I know that the reunion organizer on your end has changed.  I hope that you still want us for next year's event and then I can go ahead and start my planning.  I know the new organizer is Chris Linder, but unfortunately I do not have any contact info for this person.  I just wanted to let you know our team's intentions and touch base.  I will be asking you again what uniforms you'd prefer from us and any other particulars that you'd like to see from our team. 

On a more serious note, I'd like to express my condolences for all the losses that the 517th has endured this year; especially since the reunion in June.  I'm so glad that these brave soldiers were able to get in one last reunion with their brothers before their time had come.  We extend our deepest apologies to the families and our most gracious 'thanks' to the brave men, themselves.  We just hope that no more leave us before too late, so we can see you all again.  We loved the stories and companionship. 

Please feel free to contact me with anything regarding our involvement with your reunion or anything at all.  I'll be in touch.  Also, I have attached some pictures from the reunion...that I don't know if you might have seen because they are from my personal collection.  Please feel free to ask for more.  Have a wonderful Christmas and a safe New Year!  See you in June! 

Sincerely,

Teri Marrone