From: Benedict Barrett

Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 1:23 PM

Subject: MailCall No. 1970 - 517 PRCT - February 21, 2010
70 Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA. 02025 781-383-0215
Mail Call : Ben Barrett  Ben517@gmail.com

HELLO,

Please send links when possible. It saves me for searching for the link and saves space on Mail Call.

Donations for whatever program involving the 517th should be sent to our treasurer Leo Dean at 14 Stonehenge Lane, Albany 12203

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@gmail.com
Mail Call Archives               www.517prct.org/archives
Roster                                  www.517prct.org/roster.pdf

Recent website additions:

Gary L. Davis, F Company

Le Muy infos magazine - selected pages of the August 2009 celebration

Kenneth Goodbrake, Reg. HQ, Demo Platoon

Floyd A. Stott, I Company bio

Here is the long overdue MailCall with news from you all.    We have received many Get Well wishes from everyone oiver the last week -- Probably way many to fit into a MailCall.

Joanne or I will follow this MaiCall shortly with an update on Ben's status. He is now home.

Of course, he asks that you all continue to send news.

Bob Barrett

Feb 11

Jany Aprosio (Jany "no pants" : Hal and Helen, nancy Fraser armand will understand what I mean) lives in Montauroux.
He sent us this book of Montauroux Mayor with an article of this summer and your short stay in Montauroux.
Enjoy it !

Kisses
Patricia and Roland Orengo

[Pictures will be posted on the Web Site soon – Bob B]

Feb 11

Ben. I have been out of town for several weeks but upon my return I found several of your messages. I am always happy to hear from you and to kinow what my 517 people are doing. Thank you for keeping me on the list!!   June Huffman

Feb 13

Howdy all with an update on Mom,,,,I went and picked up Mom this morning and took her to her favorite donut shop to see all of her good donut friends. She really loved it! Then Mom and I picked up trash at the house and barn and took it to the county dump. Finally I took her the Nail Shop and she got her nails trimmed which made her very, very happy! She had a good day today and I told Mom that I would pick her up tomorrow morning and we go to Church. Mom is physically doing great but her speech still needs continuos Prayers. She seems to be happy at where she has been staying but I would rather have her back home. Mom has her 86th. birthday coming up soon and she is still a tuff cookie.

Thanks again for the Prayers for Mom !!

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Pat McCarey
"In God we Trust"
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Feb 16

Photo - Honshu 1948 Reunion - Response to Mr. Tom Reber.

I can only identify two personnel in the photo. On the far left is my father, Lieutenant David K. Brooks. Dad was a sergeant in Easy Company in WW2. 8^th from the left, in the second row, is COL Tom Cross. Dad was injured in Southern France and went to OCS after the war. He was promoted to captain, but was RIF’ed after the Korean War. Reverting to enlisted rank, his final three assignments were Command Sergeant Major (CSM), 8^th Special Forces Group at Fort Gulick, Panama (1966-1969), CSM 2^nd BDE, 101^st Airborne Division RVN (1969-1970), and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the North Carolina National Guard (1970-1973). He enjoyed playing golf at the Raleigh Country Club during his retirement. He passed away 14 December 1994. COL Cross, coincidentally, commanded the Basic Training Brigade at Fort Bragg when I was going through BCT in 1969. While attending Command and General Staff College at Fort Lee, Virginia, in 2007, I was visiting the Quartermaster Museum. There was a picture of COL Cross who, it turns out, designed the parachute rigger badge. Small World.

V/r

Kenneth S. Brooks

Major, Army Medical Specialist Corps

1-1 Air Defense Artillery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jim Ryder February 16, 2010 Airborne & Special Operations Museum 100 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville NC 28301 (910) 643-2774, pr@asomf.org Dr. David Gray to Speak on National Security, Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Airborne & Special Operations Museum will host a special presentation by Dr. David Gray, retired Air Force officer, former foreign service/CIA officer and an expert in national and global security, terrorism, and U.S. foreign policy, on Saturday, February 27 at the museum. The presentation, “Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia: Staring into the Abyss?”, will begin at 1 pm in the museum’s theater. Dr. David Gray is a retired Air Force officer, former foreign service / CIA officer and an expert in national and international security, U.S. foreign policy, terrorism, intelligence, counterintelligence, and WMD. He has taught courses in international security studies for nearly 30 years. Dr. Gray has extensive experience in the national and international security and intelligence communities and has completed assignments for the United States Departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Justice, and State, as well as, the United Nations, the Congress and the National Intelligence Council. He has served in a number of overseas assignments in various parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This event was originally scheduled for late January but, due to weather conditions, has been rescheduled. Admission is free and open to the public. THE MUSEUM Located in downtown Fayetteville, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum is part of the U.S. Army Museum System and tells the story of Army airborne and special operations units from 1940 to the present. Museum hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon – 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday; open Federal holiday Mondays. For more information call 910.643.2774 or visit the website at www.asomf.org. # # #

Feb 17

Dear Veterans, Friends, Family of Veterans, and representatives of veterans organizations,

After the great success of last year's ceremony commemorating the 65th anniversary of Operation Dragoon, and by popular demand of many of last year's participants, OP Europe will once again conduct a commemorative ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on 10 August 2010.

The attached concept paper gives details of our expanded event, as we added another day for discussion, interviews, and camaraderie.

We are extremely honored that the guest speaker for this year's ceremony is General Peter Chiarelli, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. His father served in the 756th Tank Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division and landed on the coast of Provence on 15 August.

The concept paper includes hotel information so that you can begin booking your rooms. We have changed hotels this year, and the seminars and luncheon will take place in the hotel as opposed to the Fort Myer officers' club. This simplifies logistics and skips the security hassle for our veterans who do not travel on the group bus.

With six months instead of six weeks to coordinate/prepare and get the word out, we expect this event to be even bigger and better. Please do join us, and spread the word to your WWII buddies, your families, and your organizations on the event.

We look forward to hearing from you, and to seeing you in August!

Rock of the Marne, all the way!

Monika and Tim

Forwarding a msg from jack Tyson:

We stopped to see Jack (Bob and I). He was in better spirits than the last time I saw him. His swollen hand has gone back to normal. He is doing a little walking (let say about 20 feet and back with a walker). He talking about showing the 29/29 game to a group at the home. I hope we can get him over to show it to our group.

BTW, I (Ron) stopped by around 1:00PM and didn't get a chance to see him. He was in a family meeting and I didn't want to disturb them.

Ron ROBERTSON

Ben,
I found a 517 PIR lapel pin without a back on a Southwest Airlines flight last August. I picked it up and figured I'd try to find the owner. I am a vet myself (USS Constellation 1997-2000) and know how much these sentimental reminders of your service can mean. If anybody in your mailing list claims it I would be glad to send it back to them. I found it on around August 15th, 2009, on a flight from Sacramento to San Diego, though it could've been dropped anytime within the few days before that and on a flight just about anywhere. Please reply here to my email address schleiger@hotmail.com or call me at (925) 381-3330.

Henry Schleiger

I see now (on your website) that it very well may have been you, while enroute to the celebration in Belgium that dropped your pin! Call me, (925) 381-3330!

Henry

Feb 22

Here's the latest on Mike Tyner. Sounds like things are somewhat better.
Bob Dwyer
----- Original Message ----- From: "Decker Adams" <deckadams@verizon.net>

Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 3:25 PM
Subject: Mike Tyner 21

> Yesterday a friend drove me over to see Mike. He was much improved. He > is eating well and quite active. He can carry on a conversation, however > at times he creates a story he has dreamed up. He still does not remember > people or things that have happened in the past. His nurses feel that he > no longer needs skilled nursing care but could fit into an assisted living > place. His brother in law is looking at a couple closer to Scituate. > Mike of course wants to go home but that is not in the cards unless we can > find 24/7 help. I do not think that he is capable of making his own > nourishing meals and is definitely not capable of driving. We will have > to wait and see. Decker

Lea Bradovich to me

Feb 10 (13 days ago)

Hello Ben and families and members of the 517th,

I've had this photo ready to scan when I upgraded my OS on my Mac, and my scanner no longer worked....Finally got a scan to share with everybody.

Here is my dear father, John Bradovich, of the Headquarters Demolition Platoon, at Camp McCall, in 1943 just prior to deployment in Europe.

He is 19 year old here.

[Picture will be posted on the website sson -- Bob B]

Today he is 85, living in his home town of Chisholm , Minnesota with my mom, Rose, his wife of 63 years.

All the best to you Ben, and the families and members of the 517th.

With great respect,

Lea Bradovich

Feb 11

Hello Ben,

Myrle and I want you to know that we will remember you in our prayers.

Myrle is recovering slowly from his bypass surgery but is stronger each day. Doctor said it will take another six to nine months for him to get back where he was.

Get well soon, we miss mail call.

Betty and Myrle Traver

Feb 12

Joanne - Your dad and I have never met. But, I have come to feel like he's another of my "army uncles." My dad served with the 517th, too, and since he passed away in 2001, MAIL CALL has been a lifeline for me. Please know Ben is going on my prayer list at Bible Study in the morning, but I'm also praying for you and the family that you may find His peace in all of this. My best to your family, mark

Joanne

we have sent an email yesterday to the email address :

ben517@aol.com

And I can see, today the email is, now, ben517@gmail.com.

Did you received it (it was pages from Montauroux mayor book) ?

thanks for your answer.

Patou and Roland ORENGO

Hi Ben and 517th,

I bought the attached picture on eBay and of course want to share it with the rest of you. It is a picture of the 517th after becoming part of the 13th airborne. I just wonder if any of you are in this picture. My dad went to Berlin to become part of the occupation forces. Enjoy!

SOB

Rick Sweet

From: Gilles Guignard [mailto:dogface44@gmail.com]

Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 11:55 AM

Subject: 517th on Facebook

Hello Bob,

How are you doing ?

I created a facebook page for the 517th since it was missing here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/517th-Parachute-Regimental-Combat-Team-WW2/298769243162?ref=ts

Photos are welcome!

Kind regards Gilles

From: Steve Markle

Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2010 8:12 AM

Subject: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 1969 - 517TH PRCT- FERUARY

For LORY...

I too had the pleasure of meeting all of the troopers at the Salt Lake City reunion and am saddened by the passing of both Walter Ammermon and Brian Welborn (and his wife Dixie) in the time since. We cannot (and should not) ever forget these wonderful people.

Pictures are on my site of;

Walter http://www.markleweb.com/gallery/v/wwii/reunion/SLC/Troopers/Walter+Ammermon+-+I+Company.JPG.html

Brian http://www.markleweb.com/gallery/v/wwii/reunion/SLC/Troopers/Brian+Wellborn+-+C+Company.JPG.html

Brian and Dixie http://www.markleweb.com/gallery/v/wwii/reunion/SLC/Casual/S7302980.JPG.html

-Steve- MARKLE

From: bill miller [mailto:wemiller05@hotmail.com]

Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2010 6:37 PM

To: webmaster@517prct.org

Subject: Robert Roland Riek - 517th

Hi. I am the son in law of this fellow. He is alive, but has advancing Alz. He would never talk about the war. He is on your roster. We are trying to find out his company and unit. My son and I want to retrace his steps in Europe and WW2 this summer. We found out this week that his records were burned in the fire of 73.

Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Bill Miller

Lubbock, TX

Bill,

Robert L. Riek was in the 2nd Battalion, D Company. He is listed on the 1944 Christmas roster at: http://www.517prct.org/documents/xmas1944/xmas1944.htm

If you want to follow D Company, you should look in the unit histories. There are 2 books written about the 517th. Start with Gerald Astor’s book “Battling Buzzards” available on Amazon, and the Paratrooper’s Odyssey, which you can read online http://www.517prct.org/documents/odyssey/odyssey_history.htm

I also see some details about the Invasion of Southern France, by Company, in http://www.517prct.org/documents/after_action_reports/record_of_events.pdf

And there is a summary of the action and locations by Battalion in this Chronicle: http://www.517prct.org/documents/chronicle/chronicle.htm

I traveled with my Dad to visit many sites in Belgium and France myself last summer. There are many monuments and museums that you can visit along the way. Make sure to visit some of the American Cemeteries.

Bob Barrett

webmaster@517prct.org

Thank you so much. He has had an incredible life and is a hero to us and that is without his war record.

Bill Miller

From: Benedict Barrett

Sent: Feb 14, 2010 1:29 PM

To: "Hensleigh, Howard"

Subject:

First airborne best wishes to Ben and the wonderful Barrett family. I think so highly of you all. Secondly, this message is for Howard Hensley. Howard , about a year ago the mail call had a request from the executive to Admiral Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs for info on the Generals uncle who was a member of the 517th during the war. Do you remember the the Admirals uncle name . the unit he was in and any other info on the trooper? I would appreciate any help you can give me. With best wishes and profound respect and admiration. Airborne all the way! Dick

Dear Dick,

I very much appreciate your picking up the ball on this. The admiral's uncle's name is Charles "Chuck" Boyer, Hq., 3rd Bn., most of the time a member of the S-2 Section and all the time the assistant to Father Geunette (Sp.?). Chuck was the epitomy of what a trooper should look like. He was a handsome, physically fit guy whose uniforms fit and always looked as though they had just come from the laundry or dry cleaners. His talents were soon recognized and he climbed from private to first sergeant of Hq. 3rd without taking a deep breath. In garrison, the field or combat he never missed Mass as the chaplain's right hand man. He had a disagreement with the second company commander of Hq. 3rd (the first commander being Joe McGeever who was killed near Ridge X) on a matter of principle, turned in his stripes and returned to the S-2 section which I led on Tennessee Maneuvers and again right after the S. France Jump until Bergstein when Paxton made me S-3. This is not about me but to demonstrate that I knew Chuck well from opportunities to observe him at close range over a long and strenuous period of time. He was one of the best of the best.

Before this fell through the cracks, we were to send the admiral a couple of copies of the reprinted Odyssey and I sent the treasurer $50 to cover the cost. As I recall someone was to send a letter, with a covering letter from you, to the admiral with notes from George (Red) Meline, Chuck's friend and another S-2 patroller, and me. The airborne Lt. Col. on the admiral's staff had obtained some pictures of Chuck with Chalk and others in Nice; I figured out that they were taken after the fighting was over when we sent men to the Riviera and the UK for R&R. I was responsible for reprinting the Odyssey at the time I was president and wrote the squib in the front dedicating the book to the unsung heroes. Chuch Boyer fit this bill.

I would be delighted if you could pick up the ball on this and Red Meline and I will do whatever you suggest. I would be pleased if the admiral gets the books I ordered long ago.

It is always a pleasure. Howard Hensleigh

Hello, all -

I am visiting with Ben and the subject of the clerkship came up. Ben tells me that the paperwork must be filed with Massachusetts every October. He wants to make sure we all know this - the paperwork is not much but it must be filed. It must be filed by a MA resident, but probably can be prepared by one of the Association or the Auxiliary members. Joanne has offered to file the paperwork necessary.

Merle and Howard - isn't this another task that could be assigned to the Auxiliary? Ben is planning on sending it in for the next 10 years, but will need a designee staring in 2020. This is what he tells me. I am just sitting here typing for him, minding my own business.

ALSO - does the 517 need to file a tax return? Are we? Who's in charge of this?

These are the random questions that have arisen thus far.

Hugs to all -

Claire

Ben has the annual filing of the annual 517th corporate report down pat. We could elect or appoint an assistant clerk from among Ben's children who reside in Massachusetts to carry on in ten years or so, when Ben decides to give up the job to pursue other interests. Yes we need to file annual tax returns. While I was president, these were prepared by the assistant secretary who lived in Florida whose name does not come to me at the moment. I assume this practice has continued, but have no knowledge of it. The man in charge is, or should be, our sky diving secretary.

My best, Howard Hensleigh

Feb 17

Good morning, Ben -

Of course I've been communicating with Joanne, but I haven't written to you since seeing you this weekend. It was really wonderful to see all of you this past weekend.

Looking forward to it again soon -

Oh - and I heard from Kaitlin and Bella Saltzer - you remember them from the hotel in Le Muy - they all send their best.

Hugs to you -

Claire

Feb 21

Ben,

I would like to be added to your Mail Call listing. My name is Kaitlin Saltzer and I met you along with the rest of the 517th gang this past summer in Provence, France. Your company left a lasting impression on me, which I will cherish for a lifetime. I wish the best for you and your family.

Kaitlin Saltzer

Feb 22

Well.... it is now just hours until it is time to get back into "work" mode, but before I do I want to pass on a new update that I just put up on my website for our recent trip to Disneyland. See http://www.markleweb.com/ for the article, and here (http://www.markleweb.com/gallery/v/vacations/disneyland/2010/) for the photos.

Hope you enjoy!

-Steve-

Pilot reunited with plane 65 years after Iwo Jima - JSOnline

Hi Ben--

Just a little story to take your mind off things..this is pretty interesting really. Goes on a parr with all them dogtags & helmets they find in Europe I reckon.

As a praying woman, I am praying for you that you have all that you need in this time. God bless as always,

Lyn down in Florida (where it is cold!)

The Widdah Lyn, the fine old man Cocoa, Scooter the Wonder Dog, and proudly introducing the Elderly LillyDog