----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<vbderbin@jps.net>
<stadlers@msn.com>
<resOibr7@verizon.net>
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Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 193 517TH PRCT
Date: 12/9/2001 9:27:08 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Ltlpws5355

ben,
just a note regarding my dad, jesse k. davis.  he was admitted to the va hospital late yesterday with severe abdominal pain.  he spent the night and when i went to visit today they rushed him in for emergency surgery.  we were praying for the least of 2 evils and got our wish.  he had a dead gallbladder and it was removed.  when i left him today following surgery, he was on a ventilator, hopefully just overnight, and was in a drug induced coma so he can rest.  i also warned them that they should really restrain him, because when he wakes up, they are not dealing with a little frail old man at 84.  i told them they would have one mad battling buzzard on their hands.  they laughed....  i work in icu and have these patients all the time and i know what i speak of....so it will be a treat tomorrow to visit.  they don't know he has plans to go to florida next month and NOTHING will stop him, so we'll see you all there........kathy mc intosh
                                    ******************
  Jesse has taken "side trips" before ,but always came out on top.
Read about Jesse in "Soldier Stories" on the website.
Ben
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Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 193 517TH PRCT
Date: 12/8/2001 4:07:47 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: JOEMACK610

Hi Ben,
    The Senior Citizens Article is a classic. It should be published in all the newspapers Editors Column. It hits the nail on the head and is extraordinarily true.

                                      Joe Mackiewicz
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Subj: Re:Mail Call No.193 517th Prct
Date: 12/8/2001 8:58:04 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: BoomBoomAlicki
To: Ben517

Regarding the Santa Rosa caper mentioned by Howard Hensleigh is correct.
Dick Spencer sure looked cute when I caught Lt. McElroy fraternizing and trying to make points with Dicky.
Speaking about the Santa Rosa and the contingent of Wacs we had on board I often wondered as I made my inspection rounds around the ship what was going on under the blankets of all the troopers laying on the deck cuddled with a Wac besides them
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Subj: Who will do it?
Date: 12/8/2001 9:15:30 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: BoomBoomAlicki
To: Ben517

This comes from the book, "David Brinkley" a memoir written by one and only David Brinkley.  It is a wealth of anecdotes and chock full of stories.
........"when the order comes to jump, who will do it?
Who will do it?
     Military leaders know when a soldier risks his life knowing he is likely to lose it why he risks it.  Does he do it for Mom, home, the flag, apple pie?
     No.  He does it for his friends, his buddies in uniform.  When they work together, march together, fight together, eat together, live in tents or sleep on the ground together, removed from the life they once knew, and in wartime knowing that soon they may have to die together, there is a bonding of the highest order.
    Knowing the risk, knowing the likelihood is death, who would jump out................?
     They would.
     They did."
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Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 193 517TH PRCT
Date: 12/9/2001 9:58:35 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: jjrussel@magiclink.com
Ben:
I am really enjoying your "mail Call".  My correct E-mail address is jjrussel@magiclink.com.  I'm getting your letters but the address has two l's in the roster.
Many thanks for the good job you are doing for all of us.
John D Russell
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Subj: Our French & Belgium friends
Date: 12/10/2001 2:07:11 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Genesir

Ben,

    In the past several days I received email from some of our foreign extended family of 517th supporters-these folks have been friends of the 517th for over 30 years and have become close members of the family:

    Dear Gene and Margaret ,
    We think of you every day, sorry to answer you so late. Thank you so much for your e-mail for the veteran’s day, and specially
Luke note about you, Sir .... How right he is ! how true !
    We had , as every year , our veteran's ceremony in the Park
Borely in Marseille on the 10th of November ; and this year it was really special and even more emotional with the tragic events of September 11 .         The US General Consul saying in his speech that all the victims of these events has to be considered as new veterans,  and we all think that it is completely right .
    We had on this day military air force boys from Istres Air Force Base, and an US Honour Guard coming specially from Ramstein in Germany. I will send you a copy of Serge Brouqui speech on this special occasion , it was remarquable . You and all the members of the US. are always in our thoughts and you know how much we love you all . We don't forget Karen and Luke . Christmas card is following .
      Peter,Mary ,MaryCeline and John Luis Labarre

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    and the sad mail received from the Rixon family another friend of the 517th:

From:    gerard.rixhon@yucom.be (GERARD.RIXON)
To:    genesir@AOL.com

Dear Margaret and dear Gene,

    I don't give you often news from Ferrieres and to day i send this short message to announce a bad heard.  This thursday 6 of december, Joseph leaves us.

    He had succumb to a cardiac discomfort. He worked to the farm and he looks tired. When the doctor arrived the diagnosis was not bad but two minutes later, Joseph collapsed. Helicopter and ambulances arrived to the farm very quickly and during forty five minutes doctors tried to save him but without success. All the family have a lot of sorrow because it was amazing and nothing can't expect that early! He was sixty five years old and the funeral will be on monday.
    We hope to give you some happy news later and also, we hope you and all American friends all rights.

Jean-Luc. and Marie-Madeleine, Anne, Gerard, Christophe, Pierre and all the Rixon family in Belgium

    Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring happiness to all. God Bless
        Gene & Margaret Frice, F Co.