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The following addresses have been
bouncing for the last several MailCalls. Their mailboxes may be
full, they may have changed their email address, or maybe they are just
not reading their emails. If anyone knows the story, let me know or
give them a push. -- BB
The following addresses failed:
blchestnut@aol.com
(Bruce Chestnut)
bojoco@att.net
(Bobbi-Jo Spencer)
wwyatt4880@aol.com
(Willard Wyatt)
caseybennion@aol.com
(Shanna Cronquist)
ebgear@optonline.net
(Raymond Gearon)
9leilani3@coosnet.com (Virginia Jorgen)
marienbad@webtv.net
(John Marienbad)
gema979@aol.com
(Florence Mehegan)
rayhessr@ptd.net
(Ray Hess)
Hi everybody,
VETERANS, FAMILY, FRIENDS,
PLANNING TO COME THIS YEAR FOR THE 66th ANNIVERSARY OF AIRBORNE OPERATION
DRAGOON SOUTHERN FRANCE "D" DAY ARE VERY WELCOME TO CONTACT US AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE FOR HOTELS AND HOSPITALITY HOME ACCOMODATION
WARMEST REGARDS TO YOU ALL , HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON,
MICKAEL AND ERIC,
anvil-dragoon@hotmail.com
cabrian9@aol.com
LE MUY AIRBORNE MUSEUM CURATORS ,
CELEBRATION CEREMONY ORGANISATION
le MUY France
Bob:
I was talking to a fellow from California the other day and he asked if I
by chance I knew a Major Russell Brami. I told him I did and he said
Russell was his commanding officer during the time he was in service.
This was during the Korean war.
He said he kept in contact with him for awhile but found out recently that
Russell died about 2 years ago in the Kingwood, TX Senior Living Center.
Back in 2000 Russell was living in Florida and was President of the
Florida Chapter of 82nd Division Association.
Before his death the city of Kingwood honored him and the newspaper
article had coverage relating to his service in the 517th.
Merle Mc Morrow
Russ Brami, of E Company, 517 - Rome, 1944 |
War hero honored for
legendary service
The Tribune (Kingwood, TX)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Mary Kelly Bumbaugh
Maj. Brami awarded five
purple hearts
Residents and guests of Silverado Senior Living - Kingwood gathered on
Nov. 11 to honor resident Maj. Russell M. Brami U.S. Army, retired for his
distinguished 20-year military career.
Following presentation of the colors by the Kempner High School Air Force
JROTC Color Guard, son, Jeff Brami, said, “We are here today to recognize
veterans and my father who is a living legend. He is one of the last
remaining heroes of WWII and the Korean War.”
He introduced Major Brami’s grandsons T. J. Brami and A. J. Brami,
step-grandson Taylor Wimberg, granddaughter Emma Brami, and
daughter-in-law Tonya Brami, and thanked Rachael Kleczkowski, Silvarado
administrator, and Marion Nixon, volunteer/bereavement coordinator.
On behalf of U.S. Representative Judge Ted Poe, Jessica Wellington,
district director Harris and Liberty counties, read a proclamation
stating, “Nov. 11, 2007, is an official day to recognize Major Brami for
his service to America.”
On behalf of Houston Mayor Bill White, Gwendolyn Condoleo, community
liaison mayor’s citizens assistance office, said, “It is a privilege to be
here, to remember veterans and those serving today.” She delivered a
proclamation declaring Nov.11, 2007, as Major Brami Day.
Grandson Sgt. 1st Class Aaron J. Brami, of the Florida National Guard
Special Operations Detachment Central, displayed a framed commemorative
case he had made that contained all of Brami’s medals and decorations and
presented it to him. They were: five Purple Heart medals, two Bronze
Stars, a Bronze Star for valor, three Bronze Stars for combat jumps, Army
Commendation Medals, two Combat Infantryman Badges, Master Parachutist
Badge and numerous others.
On behalf of the family, Tonya Brami thanked the audience for their
support.
MILITARY HISTORY
Brami enlisted in the infantry during World War II and was assigned to the
517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. He saw action in the Italian Alps
and jumped into southern France shortly after D-Day.
In l944, Brami fought in the battle of Bastogne (the Battle of the Bulge)
and was cited for valor in combat in Belgium. At age 24 he was the
youngest regimental sergeant major in the Army and was assigned to the
82nd Airborne Division, 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 187th
Regimental Combat Team.
During the Korean War, Brami was awarded a rare battlefield commission and
served as platoon commander.
He trained in jungle warfare, however his career was cut short by an
accidental explosion that resulted in amputation of his hand. This was one
of five injuries for which Brami was awarded five Purple Hearts.
After retirement in l963, Brami served as an executive with Goodwill for
20 years and was active in many military organizations and reunions.
He has five children and eight grandchildren. Brami, son Russell M. Brami
Jr. and grandson A.J. Brami represent three generations of Army
paratroopers. His son Jeff served in Vietnam as a reconnaissance Marine.
From
Teresa Mesina (our favorite flight attendant):
~~~~This Memorial Day~~~
MAY GOD BLESS THIS AIRLINE CAPTAIN:
He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R.
on this flight." (H.R. stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I
asked.
'Yes', she said.
'Is there an escort?' I asked.
'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.
'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him
early," I said..
A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was
the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I
asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk
about them as if they are still alive and still with us.
'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia,' he said. He proceeded to
answer my questions, but offered no words.
I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I
told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I
appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers.
The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left
the flight deck to find his seat.
We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful
departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the
lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the
soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to
tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were
escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset
because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in
before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was
going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia .
The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son
was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too
much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if
there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our
arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the
soldier being taken off the airplane.. I could hear the desperation in the
flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could
do.. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to her.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of
e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my
flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator
in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the
dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher.. I explained the
situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family
wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going
to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a
text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the
dispatcher and the following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy
on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a
dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the
family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains
with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their
departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be
seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the
connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and
plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home.
Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our
condolences on to the family. Thanks.'
I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I
printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass
on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me,
'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'
Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After
landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is
huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy
area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we
entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told
that all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked
like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the
seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family
from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the
copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the
gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp
controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public
address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain
speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement.
We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name
is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is
under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant
XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your
entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats
to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown
procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found
the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I
was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft
stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly
started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and
soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm
sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the
family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They
were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.
Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had
made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over
again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.
I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the
sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our
freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA .
Foot note:
As a Viet Nam Veteran I can only think of all the veterans including the
ones that rode below the deck on their way home and how they were treated.
When I read things like this I am proud that our country has not turned
their backs on our soldiers returning from the various war zones today and
give them the respect they so deserve.
I know every one who has served their country who reads this will have
tears in their eyes, including me.
Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it!
Please send this on after a short prayer.. Prayer for our soldiers Don't
break it!
Prayer:
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect
us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for
us in our time of need. Amen..'
Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a
prayer for our troops around the world.
There is nothing attached. Just send this to people in your address book.
Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine,
Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the
very best one.
GOD BLESS YOU!!!
I would like like to tell all my favorite veterans Happy
Memorial Day!!
Chris Lindner
Subject: 517th Don Fraser's CP near Col de Braus then
and now
Hello,
I was there last week and happy to find the spot,
Kind regards Gilles
To all my HERO'S out
there in the 517th.........REMEMBERING YOU AND ALL YOUR FALLEN COMRADES
THIS MEMORIAL DAY
I miss you Dad
Love to all of you, Melanie (Davis), daughter of Gary Davis F-company
Fred D.
Waites, PFC Headquarters Co.
I think dad would like to receive e-mail. He can be
reached at fredwaites@hotmail.com
FYI and this can be shared.
Dad is doing OK. He is now 86 and dealing with many of
the normal problems folks of his age contend with. He has been long
retired from his career of over 40 years of teaching and coaching high
school sports, mainly football. After leaving the service, he entered the
University of Mississippi on the GI Bill and an athletic scholarship in
both football and baseball. He later transferred to Mississippi Southern
College where he attended, again utilizing the GI Bill and on a football
scholarship. He was a two year started at offensive guard. After
graduation he took his first teaching job at the now defunct Woodland HS
in Woodland, La. He and the principal, along with the help of the entire
community built a football field and started that school's first football
program .... 6 man football. In 1954, he was chosen for the football
coaching vacancy at Dutchtown HS in Prairieville, La. where he spent 11
years as a HS teacher and coach. In 1966, he accepted the football
coaching job at Assumption HS, in Napoleonville, La. In 1972 he retired
from teaching in Louisiana and moved to Holtville , Alabama where he
coached football and taught for several years. He retired from the Elmore
County education system having also served as Principal of Wetumpka HS and
on the country staff. Up until 2008, he was an avid "Beagle". His "Eagle
Claw" Kennels became renown for its quality field trial hounds, having
earned several Field Champions. In May of 2009 his wife of 60 years, Dora
Belin Waites , passed away. He now resides with his son in Trussville, Al.
He often tells the stories of his experiences during
WWII. I especially enjoy his description of the jump into southern France
and that first day on the ground. How afraid that he was that the plane
would be shot down. When it came time to jump, he and another guy had
difficulty getting a pack off supplies out the door. It had jammed on the
rail. When the pack let loose, all 3 went out together. Dad was upside
down and when the shoot opened it snatched him so violently that he lost
about everything he had on him. He hit a stone wall when he landed and
busted his nose. He grabbed for his carbine ... it was gone. But he had
"come across" 1911 45 cal. in Italy and that had to do for now. So he got
out of the parashoot and ran for cover and hid out, awaiting daylight.
Later that night, he heard a guy walking close by. Not knowing friend or
foe, he raised his 45 and said "Lafayette". He was expecting to get a
response of "Freedom". The guy on the other end was stumbling trying to
recall the password response and finally yelled out "France"! Dad shouted
back, "No, Lafayette!" to which he got the response, "Hell, is that you
Fred?". It turned out to be his pack-jumping mate! They scurried off
together under the cover of darkness and eventually found a few more guys
early the next day. Later in that first day dad retrieved a BAR from a
wounded soldier and toted until he traded to another trooper for a Garand
and 6 fresh eggs. He has said many times how he'd like to know who that
guy was, and give him a thanks because that was the finest shooting Garand
he had ever come across.
From: joanne
barrett <addiejb@gmail.com>
To: droopy1dog@yahoo.com
Sent: Thu, May 20, 2010 10:02:43 AM
Subject: Ben Barrett
Hello Peter,
thank you for your donation to the 517prct in memory of my Dad, Ben
Barrett. I now empathize with your pain of losing your dad. I am glad
your family was able to get your Dad to the DC reunion. I am also so glad
I was able to go to France and Belgium with my Dad this past August and
retrace the path he took 65 years ago.
Dad was buried on April 29 in Arlington National Cememtery. Arlington was
beautiful and the weather was perfect but it was sad. It was moving to see
all the WWII vets in attendance. The army honored Dad with paratroopers
folding the flag for a fallen paratrooper and my family received the empty
shells from the 21 gun salute.
I will miss traveling the world with my Dad but I do plan to attend the
"final" reunion in his honor for the 517 paratroopers in 2011. They will
celebrate their contribution to their country at Fort Benning GA where
they trained as 20 year olds almost 70 years ago.
My Dad continues to live on through the website. As you know, Dad
dedicated the last decade of his life to keeping his beloved 517prct in
touch and helping families gather info about their loved ones---he made
many new friends in the process. A woman recently wrote looking for info
on her Dad and it happens that her Dad was hit by the same shell as my Dad
on Jan 4 1945 in Bergevel, Belgium. I find these connections amazing. The
517 called my Dad the glue that kept the organization together. Dad would
have been so humbled and touched by so many WWII vets and families
attending his funeral.
fondly,
Joanne
Joanne:
Thank you for the kind note you sent. Our Dad did not know there were
reunions, or a website, or any organization related to his experiences
back then. He did not express his history to us as children until late in
his life. However, at 85 years old, in late 2006, he called me from his
home, telling me he had read a tiny blurb in Disabled American Veterans
magazine of the pending reunion that next summer in D.C. He asked if I
would like to join him and my brother George in attending. I was very
excited to be asked.
He showed my the ad in the magazine, and I noticed that the contact
number's area code was 781. Then I noticed the exchange started with
383. I looked at Dad in wonder and said, "Dad--the area code is 781 and
the phone starts with 383!! This gentleman who is in charge of the
reunion lives right near us in Cohasset. Our accountant is in Cohasset at
Brigantine East. I believe Dad called your Dad and talked for a few
minutes, and that was how I came to know about the 517th website your Dad
was the architect of. I devoured that site for the next few days--even at
the expense of doing my job at work at times. What a revelation the whole
thing was!!
A month later, Dad had the bad pedestrian accident that I believe
eventually ended his life. From January 2007 until May 2007, he was in
and out of intensive care. In early June, doctors let him finally come
back home. It was only a week before the reunion that doctors cleared him
to go to D.C., with the moniter of brother George and I. It was the last
time I think I saw him alert, focused, and excited.
What I remember most, was the contact I gained through the website with
Mr. Barrett. He encouraged and kept hope that Dad could join all the
others. At the last possible minute, your Dad, despite all the details he
had to engage in to put that party together, found a way to get spots for
Dad, myself , and brother George to attend. He also got us in contact
with Trooper Walsh, who basically escorted us around the city a lot, and
helped us in so many ways.
It was a blast meeting your Dad and the Barretts at the reunion, along
with all of the others from the 517th and their families. I will not
forget the kindness your Dad showed our family--I cried when I saw the
obit in the Patriot Ledger. Thank you, and your entire family Joanne.
I'll be thinking of our Dad, and yours, this Memorial Day weekend.
I hope to see more news re: the deal in Georgia, and if it would be o.k.
to join in.
Love from Pete and the entire Jansson family to the Barrett family.
Patricia and Roland Orengo recently posted a very nice video of the
ceremonies at their house in Sospel last August. I am trying to find a
way to post it for everyone. -- BB
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