Hi Ben,

Glad you are having a good time on your trip and I’m enjoying all the Mail Calls. I have written to you at home in Cohasset so you should receive “snail mail” from me upon your return!

I did want to share a short story with you… I have some friends who travelled to France this summer (it was a trip that had been cancelled previously due to unforeseeable circumstances.)

Anyway, they went to Nice, but the major part of the excursion was a weeklong cruise down the river Seine. My friends are not ones to go on lots of extra side trips but prefer to relax and peruse small villages in ports of call.

 One of the side trips offered was a visit to Omaha beach to see the beaches, the cliffs and the nearby village. Although my friends did not go, they were surprised and thrilled to learn from those who did go that when the village folks learned they were Americans they did not accept money for any souvenirs the tourists wanted to buy.

 Apparently on the trip back to the cruise ship, the tour director shared some fun facts.: One of them was that if an American is ever caught by the police speeding or with a traffic violation, in Normandy they are not fined or given a ticket of any sort! I certainly do not advocate speeding in Normandy or anywhere else, but I still love the story and the respect and love these people continue to have for Americans as they clearly credit our servicemen with their freedom!!

Stay well, be safe and see you soon.

Mary Jane.

I envy Gene Frice after reading the last Mail-Call. In Berlin with the big to-do coming up concerning the ceremonies to recognize and up-lift the reputations of those individuals depicted in the book "Valkyrie". After the war the consensus of the majority of German citizens viewed these men as traitors. The last living member of that group is dead now. He was the author of the true story of "Valkyrie" a group of ranking Third Reich officers who in WWII saw what the Fuhrer had done to the "Mother Land" and felt that he had become a mad man and must be stopped before all was lost. As history bears out, they failed. Retalliation was swift and deadly. The Dessert Fox "Field Marshall Erwin Rommel" was implicated and thus was among the first to be dealt with by the Fuhrer. He was given a choice, either take your own life quietly or the Gestapo will hunt you and your family down and you will all be killed. These individuals knew full well what the consequences would be if they failed. They went ahead with their plan.  For the German citizenry to call these men "opportunists" is a slap in the face to anyone who has an ounce of humanity. But then again we must remember that these were the same citizens who when questioned about the atrocities that occurred right under their noses at the hundreds of Nazi Concentration Camps in Germany such as Ohrdruf, Buchenwald and one that I visited known as Dachau, they all claimed that they had no knowledge of how those 9,000,000 people died.  I only hope that the people of Germany can unite and embrace the memory of these brave men who at least had the courage to try and stop this mad man. If that happens perhaps healing can take place. I hope Gene Frice can take some photos of this festive event and let us view them. The German people know "Pomp and Ceremony".                                                                          "Nephew of a Buzzard" Claire Giblin So I'm working on the Thunderbolt, minding my own business, when I just now stumbled on #1783 and Frank Ramos's great suggestions for a school trip. This is a wonderful start for educators.  Can we set up a link "for teachers and educators" on the main page, and start putting stuff on it like this? Yes, I know it was 2 months ago - it's still a great idea. Lou Scaringi  Ben,  This message is for Bob. Bob, I am now listed in our records as recipient of one Bronze Star Medal for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, but there is no 517th record of my second Bronze Star award (cluster) which was earned as a result of heroic action on January 3, 1945, at Trois Ponts, Belgium.  This second award was approved and awarded after I had been transferred to the 82nd Airborne in Berlin for occupation duty.  It was awarded by COL Reuben Tucker, Commander of the 504th PIR after being approved by E.G.Chapman, Major General, US Army Commanding.  A copy of the citation appeared in the Spring, 2009 issue of the Thunderbolt.  I hope this information can support adding a second Bronze Star (or cluster) to my 517th credits.  Lou Scaringi Dennis Sura Ben, I would like to second Howard Henssleigh's praise for your efforts on the 517th website.  I am sorry I had to miss the reunion again this year.  I look forward each day for news and comments of the heroic exploits of the regiment and thoughts of my father Mike's participation.  The 1st reunion took place a year after I was born (1948) in our home town of Chicago.  Do sure dad attened even though he lived there.  Believe that he was on strike while working for US Steel at the time.   All The Best   Dennis Sura   Ben I send a check on 4/7/09 to the 517th Aux in the amount of $30 and I don't have record of it being cashed.  Who can I talk to inorder to see if it ever was received.  On the same day I send $75 to the 517th Film Project.   Dennis Sura                                     **************** Leo, what do you know about this?-ben Jim Mortensen Hi Ben (and Merle) Yes, we ought to put an order form in each edition of the Thunderbolt.  But I think we need two mailing groups. We should have a committee (or  a service) to handle the big load at the front end of the offer. Once  that is done, we can fall back on one or two guys to handle the  problem with the late comers. I might even volunteer for the second  part. One other suggestion. We might send one to each Salt Lake City  attendee because we know they are alive and well and we know their  address is correct. Then, we could go from there. Or, we could mail a  copy to the addresses we use for the Thunderbolt. They should be about  equal. In any event, I think it might be worthwhile to use a service to make  the initial, big mailing. Best Jim Mortensen Bill Bolin Ben: I'm looking for that photo of the German staff car with the dead occupants that was stopped on the road to Les Arcs on Aug. 15. Somebody at the Salt Lake City reunion told me it was available on the 517 PRCT website but I can/t find it there. Can you tell me where to look, or better yet, send me an e-mail of the picture? Capt LaChaussee and I took the car to the Reg. CP at St. Rosaline chateau.  I want to put it in my memoirs for my children. Thanks. An account and map of "the Mercedes Incident" from Clark Archer