Room Rate -
$65.00
Registration Fee - $40.00
National Reunion
Palm
Springs, CA Salt Lake City
West
Coast Party July
2009
April 20-24,
2009
Rick
Sweet
Thank you,, Pat Sietz and Allan Greer
for you prayers and also my friend BJ McCauly (
Spencer).
It was a sad Christmas for us but on
Saturday we ended up with good warm weather for the funeral and so many people
from church and friends and family came to support us. It really helps you get
through it. We buried my sister in a different section than my dad
Odas,because his section is full, but she is as close to him as possible. Thank
you to everyone for your prayers and well wishes. It
gives my
family and I strength.
I listened with great interest about
the soldiers hiking to Manhay that Kent Immerfall sent in, because my dad
was in H co following Fred Harmon.
Then I heard Fred mention a man that shot
himself in the foot. I had to laugh because there is a picture of my dad with
his foot bandaged in the 13th Airborne book and He told my mom that he
was hit in the toe by shrapnel at Manhay and that it cut through his
boot! The bandage looks like a twisted ankle... I don't think it was
him that shot himself but I wondered and the thought of it made me laugh.I
needed a good chuckle so thanks Kent. I hope you all had a great Christmas or
whatever Holiday that you celebrate and I certainly hope that we all have the
best of new years. I am proud and blessed to be associated with such a great
bunch of people. SOB. Rick Sweet
***************
Thanks Ben, It has been a tough week and I am glad that
it is over. No I don't believe that my dad shot himself in the foot by accident
or on purpose. I knew him for a short time and I can't believe that he
would do an act of cowardice. I also know how I am personally and the nut
doesn't fall far from the tree. Under those circumstances I can imagine that
most men would be nervous. I guess that poor man just had his finger on the
trigger and should not have. I don't know why, but for some reason Fred Harmons
comment made me giggle. I talked to my mom and she told me how the shrapnel had
gone through the front of his boot and split his toe. I knew about it before but
I didn't know that it happened at Manhay. My dad was also wounded by shrapnel
either on Jan 5th or 6th of 1945. It may have even been the same shrapnel
that wounded you. He got hit in the ear and it scared him. He thought he
was going to die because he was bleeding so bad. He ran back to the aid station
through all kinds of fire and was told there that almost his whole unit was
wiped out. I wish that I knew more about his days in the 517th and what he did
personally but I keep learning little bits of information from all of you men
from time to time. Thank you Ben, for your comments and for removing all doubt
about my dad. I am glad that it wasn't him......Rick
***************
I have informed Rick that it was the not his
father who accidentally shot himself in the foot .I will inform him the date of
his father's wound when I am back home with my Morning Reports. It was not
the incident when 13 of us in H Co.were wounded and 3
members killed -Ben
Pat Seitz
Dear Ben:
Please tell Claire and Helen
thank you for the wonderful Christmas present -- The latest Thunderbolt arrived
and what a pleasure and treasure it is to read -- the smiles
are instantaneous and beaming. It brings back all
the memories of the fabulous reunion Chris and Bev put on as well as the
highlights of Mail Call. Claire and Helen are outstanding editors,
writers and creators. How blessed the 517th is to have the gift
of their talents, dedication, leadership and commitment.
PS Also appreciated Claire's update on the film project
on the inside last page. (Thanks also to the Thunderbolt's
sponsor
John Hanni
yes received your email,
thanks
john hanie company
d
Darrell Egner
Jim
Your name change has been corrected per your request in the last
Mail Call. MORTENSEN does sound better.
Looking forward to seeing
you at the Florida Mini in a few weeks.
Regards,
Darrell
Egner