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

Hello

I received a nice letter from Ginny Wells, cousin of Betty Davis, expressing her enjoyment reading Mail Call and she also sent an article from LA Times about the Military cemeteries in Europe.

Please tell me if you mail is not to be included in Mail Call by writing FYEO.

Please let me know if you want to receive Mail Calls or if you have a problem receiving them. You can always read back 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

517th Annual Florida Mini-Reunion January 17,18,19, 20, 2009

Banquet on the 20th (Tuesday) and Departing on the 21st (Wednesday)

Hosted by: Leila Webb, Location: Ramada Hotel & Inn Gateway

7470 Highway 192 West

Kissimmee, Florida 34747

Tele: 1(800)327-9170 FAX 1(407)396-4320

web site: WWW.ramadagateway.com

Contact: Leila Webb, Helen Beddow and Lou Darden

4155 Kissimmee Park Road

St. Cloud, Florida 34772

Tele:(407)892-3595

Room Rate - $65.00 Registration Fee - $40.00

Palm Springs, CA

West Coast Party

April 20-24, 2009

Recent website additions:

596th PCEC Newsletters 1980-1983

Sospel 1944 and 2008

Pvt. Richard Whidden, D Company

Col de Braus battle - 64th anniversary

Sospel 1943 and nows

Claire Giblin

Hi -

I am sorry to read of Tom Reber's mother's passing.

I don't know anyone who might disapprove of the respectful use of the 517 logo. Tom, you are probably giving many of us ideas and inspiration.

As my father (Allan Johnson, 596) has always told me, it was never an "official" patch. If it was never official, that means that the Association and the Auxiliary "own" it (if, of course, our esteemed counsel Howard Hensleigh agrees with me).

My best to all my favorite vets -

Claire Giblin

Babbie Boyle

Ben was there ever a Fall Thunderbolt if so neither my daughter or I received ours-we wait patiently.

Bill is ok, I am recouping from a Spinal operation and hope to make it to Florida. Maybe we will meet again at the airport.

Take care,

Babbie

Rick Vasques

Hello Ben,

I know it has been awhile since I have contacted the 517^th family. As you can imagine my wife Martinique and I have been quite busy with our twin boys who are now six years old. But I read the emails and of course the entire 517^th family is always in my thoughts and prayers. In 2007 I moved to Grand Rapids, MI and would like to see Tom on his next visit and also aid with his quest to add the logo to Lt Reber’s Marker. If you pass the name and number of the tile maker, I can send or take files to him and would be honored to do so. My new email address is rick@martivasquez.com and my cell phone number is 616-350-6266.

Best regards to all members of the 517^th

Rick Vasquez

(Son of Nacho Vasquez HQ 3^rd Battalion)

Helen Beddow

Hi Ben,
The T'bolt will be to the Post Office this week. I am sorry that it has been so late this time, and it has been my fault. I have just had too much to do in the way of work, family and then things that happen that you do not plan on. The computer crashed at the printer and then my computer was astray for a while. I have had a tremendous amount of work at the church these past few months. All in all, it is my fault that it is late. Please give my regrets to everyone.

Helen

**********

Helen is a dynamo and has no need to apologize. - Ben

Scott Ramsey

This is a local paper that did a story about my interviews with WWII veterans. I hope you approve of the article. I am so proud to have met and talked with many of you, I will always strive to keep your history honorably remembered as 'The Greatest Generation.'

If you don't recognize my name, please check your email for past emails concerning me contacting you about your WWII history.

http://www.newsherald.com/news/trying_69686___article.html/city_war.html

Ray Estrella

Hello Ben, I hope you are well. I was not aware that you were cadre at the jump school in Rome. My Father-In-Law, Bert Duran - A Co - went thru jump school there. I will look at his certificate, get the graduation date, and let you know. Also, could I please get the "Prez's" e-mail address from you ? -- Thank you. -- Ray Estrella

Mike Kane

Hi Ben,

Another example of the Airborne getting the job done! This is from the Sunday New York Times.

"At Army Base, Stork Landed With the Airborne"

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/us/16baby.html?th&emc=th

Best regards,

Mike Kane