Dear Ben and Bob,
This Mail Call is meant for all who were able to attend the
St. Louis Reunion as well as for those 517th members who could not attend or
family members who are still considering attending "A" reunion. This was
my first experience meeting all of the Brave 517th men and their very supportive
family. God willing, it will not be my last venture to be with you
all.
I must begin by thanking Chris and Bev (and everyone else) who
helped organize the St. Louis event. I know I will be leaving names out
but for not taking notes or tape recording anything I think I have a pretty good
handle on this.
My main purpose in attending this particular Reunion was
two-fold. I first thought it was extremely important to thank each and
every brave 517th member who sacrificed so much so that I could live in a
democracy and even consider attending such an event. My second purpose was
to meet the Band of Brothers that my Uncle Floyd A. Stott served beside. I
felt I needed to get some questions answered, directly from "those who were
there" about my uncle and the circumstances of war. I could never get
answers from Floyd's parents or my Mom. They just didn't want to discuss
what happened.
The "I" Company members who I sat and spoke with answered
every question I asked. For not being a military person they were very
patient with me and explained details so that I could understand. Special
"thanks" to Marvin D. Moles, Robert "Bob" L. Vaught, Ludlow Gibbons, John J.
Strojan, and Walter T. Ammermon who I visited with at the Veteran's
Breakfast. I also enjoyed meeting "Junior" Copsey and the "memories" he
had of his father that went along with what Walt Ammermon so candidly
explained.
At no time did I ever hear a soldier say, "No, it didn't
happen that way." In every case they nodded their heads in agreement
whenever someone was telling a story. As was explained to me, "If that's
the way they want to remember it, so be it." And I am fine with
that. When I pressed some soldiers about details the comment was, "Ours
was not to ask why, ours was to Do or Die." And I am quickly learning that
if every man did not follow that truth that very few would have made it back to
America in one piece. Your sense of purpose, respect, and accomplishment
was flavored by your sense of humor about the past. Today's younger
generations could learn so much from your candid remarks.
I would be amiss to not remember Leo Dean and the conversation
we had after breakfast. His genuine explanations were so telling of a time
that many Americans only know from history books. Thank you, Mr. Dean, for
allowing your heart to be exposed.
Thank you to Barb and Geoff for their interesting comments and
explanations at lunch as well as the opportunity to meet Barb's father. I
will definitely keep the Mini in Palm Springs in mind.
Thank you to the soldiers of the 460th and 596th who attended
and added their particular slant to what happened in Europe in '44 and
beyond. I really needed to hear what you had to say as the history books
don't tell it quite as vividly or with "your slant" as I soon learned.
I learned so much about "materials" and gear from the display
that so many have taken the time to accumulate. I was told that those
soldiers could have filled a room with memorabilia the size of the hospitality
rooms.
A Special Thank goes out to Al Eckart, brother of "I" Company
soldier William "Billy" Eckart Jr. When I first walked into the
hospitality room, Al came up to me and chided me about not emailing him. I
hope we are able to reconnect down-the-road. I was impressed with his
scrap book that he has lovingly organized with many items that belonged to Billy
or that were mementos about him. Al is so very fortunate to be supported
by his daughters, Alicia and Dawn. They allowed me to be a part of this
experience right off the bat.
The days leading up to June 25-29 had my head filled with many
expectations. I can truthfully say that my thoughts were realized
100-fold. This was a very emotional and uplifting experience for me.
Every soldier that knew and remembered my uncle allowed me to draw closer to a
man I never knew but am so proud to have his name as part of mine.
Ben, it was certainly a real pleasure to meet you and put a
face with Mail Call. Your efforts to keep the memory of the 517th ALIVE
are not overlooked.
Long Live the 517th!
Kenton Floyd Immerfall
Claire Giblin
Good morning, gentlemen,
I have included you on this email to help me develop a best possible tour
itinerary for bid by tour companies. I have already heard back from Tours
International, and want to put the same information out to more than one
company. I first contacted Tours International because I met one of their
operators in Le Muy in 2004, taking very good care of his busload or two of
British vets.
Ideally, what locations would be on a tour itinerary for 2009?
Obviously, the centerpiece would be the two to four days in the Le Muy.
Sospel also seems a logical choice.
Time is money; each day will add to the cost of the trip. Each extra
day puts the opportunity further out of reach for someone, so we want to offer
maximum bang for the buck. I envision something between 6 and 10 days;
perhaps a smaller group would want to stay for additional time.
Howard, we really missed you in St. Louis. A good time was had by
all.
Warm regards to all,
Claire Giblin
Bob Christman
Does Wage Gilbert have a website for his business, since he supports the
517th maybe some may want to buy equipment from him?
Keep Your Fork !
BOB
****************
We do have it on our website-Ben
Rick Sweet
Hi Ben,
I had such a
great time at the reunion and I made it home safely and hope everyone else did
as well ! It was well worth suffering through the pain of this torn meniscus and
I am glad that I didn't miss it. I am going to see a surgeon tomorrow on Tuesday
! Thank you to everyone who helped me and those who introduced yourselves and
shared your conversations with me. I was there without my family but was never
bored or without friends. I am glad that so many were interested in the WWII
items that I brought with me and hope that in some way I helped make your visit
a little better ! I will bring them again next time ! I have made new friends
and became more familiar with the ones that I met last year and I appreciate
each and every one of you. I am very proud to be associated with the 517th and I
am glad that my dad was a member of this great organization. I want to
especially thank Chris Lindner, Helen Beddow and Claire Giblin for their hard
work, for personally helping me and for making me feel so welcome.Thank you to
Lory Curtis,Bob Dodds and Morris McDowell for your friendship and help
! Thank you Helen for the gift of the money clip and thank you Ben Barrett
for your constant help and guidance !!!
Son of a Buzzard
Rick Sweet
Julia (Hood) Piasecki
My name is Julia (Hood) Piasecki and I’m the daughter of
Ralph E. Hood who was a Pathfinder in the 517th.
I stopped by the Hospitality Suite at the
Sheraton WestPort Plaza in St. Louis yesterday to see if I could visit with
anyone who knew my dad. My daughters and I enjoyed our time there
and everyone was very friendly. Unfortunately, there wasn’t
anyone around at that time who knew my dad.
I’ve searched the listing of the different
Company’s for his name and cannot find him listed anywhere. He
was friends with Floyd Polk and Floyd did reference my dad in one of his
stories. Floyd stated that Dad was in his Company, but their doesn’t
seem to be any listing of Dad’s name under Company D.
Dad never talked about his role in the
War. I just know he was a Pathfinder and he came home
wounded. I have his Purple Heart and I would like to know and
understand more about that time of his life.
I would appreciate hearing any other stories
about him and I’m wondering why his name is not listed on any
rosters.
If anyone has any information, can you
please email me at danpiasecki@charter.net.
Thanks Much!
Julia (Hood) Piaseck
408
Briarwood Salem, IL 62881
Home
Phone: 618-548-0926 Cell Phone:
618-292-7015
Joe Caldor
Mark Landred story about the mules. It was
raining like hell as I stood on a crossroad with Mel Zais. He had the
only map. The Third Battalion was to attack a village. The name was
something like Costallo or something like. Mel wanted me to meet him they
the next day with supplies and the communication section.. I battlefield
requisition a old white horse and a mule and loaded them down with wire and
other supplies. We started up over the mountain, Mel took the Battalion by
road. Half way up the mountain, the horse died. We added its load on
the little mule and continued up the mountain. The mule made it up the
mountain Don't recall what happened to the mule. Next morning we
were on the top of a mountain near the attack target. I studied it through
my field glasses for a long time. I could not detect any of our troops or
any German activity. Just normal early morning civilian activities.
Waited a couple of hours, then decided to take my people in. We were
treated as conquering hero's without firing a shot. A few hours later we
seen the Battalion in attack formation approaching. They had attack the
wrong town during the night. Colonel Graves wrote about this in
his article for Blue Book.
Thank you so much! I just read this e-mail now,my
grandfather is Hank Filipczak. I appreciate your help. If you know any way of
contacting Allen Douglas(or Douglass) please e-mail me at bekkifilipczak@yahoo.com.
Susan Wheeler Brock
Hi,
My name is
Susan Wheeler Brock and my father is Richard H. Wheeler of the 460th
Battery B. He has been telling me all about the reunion. Would you
please sign me up for the Mail Call. My e-mail address is brock45820@bellsouth.net.
Thank
you,
Susan Wheeler
Brock
