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I am heading off to Asia
tomorrow for 2 weeks. We have factories in China and Korea that I
need to visit. I do hope to get a day over next weekend for some
quick sightseeing in Shanghai. Needless to say, I won't be carrying
my home computer, so I won't be able to get out another MailCall until I
get back, which will be the July 4 long weekend. But keep the email
coming. I will get to it.
Did you know that there are 19
million people in Shanghai? That's as big as metropolitan New York
City. (NYC proper has only 8.3 million). The very modern
Pudong skyline is the showpiece of China's economic growth. It has
been used in many recent movies including Mission Impossible 3,
Transformers 2, and The Fantastic 4 part 2. -- Bob Barrett
Pudong skyline Shanghai
Good news. I finally managed to post the video from Patricia and
Roland Orengo. To make it easily playable by everyone, I posted it
onto YouTube. Unfortunately, YouTube won't accept videos over 10
minutes, and they compress it down so that it isn't quite as clear as the
original. But for all the Troopers and friends who visited Sospel
last August, you need to check it out. It is a great recap of the
Sospel party, including the ceremonies and dinner at the Orengo's house.
Thanks Patou and Roland!
Part 1,
Part 2,
Part 3
If you want a better copy
of the full video, I posted the original on the website . But it is
77 MB, so you may need a fast connection or wait a long time to load it.
www.517prct.org/audiovideo/517_sospel_2009.wmv
Bob,
While traveling, I noted the attached in a local paper concerning our
friends in Draguignan and LeMuy. I am sure all our friends and family need
to be aware of the unfortunate flooding of the land and deaths of friends,
likely over most of the Var area. Misery as in flooding, fires,
earthquake, and oil disaster chooses it's own victims. I do not have
Merle's address at the moment and it would be appropriate the send our
condolences to our friends in Southern France.
Regards to all
Gene Frice, F Co
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Floods near Riviera leave at least 19 dead
Updated: Wed Jun. 16 2010 13:00:16
The Associated Press
DRAGUIGNAN, France — At least 19 people were killed in flash floods that
hit the back hills of the French Riviera on Wednesday and turned streets
into rivers of surging, muddy water, officials said.
There was confusion about how many people were missing in the flooding
that washed over picturesque towns and left them standing in metres of
brown water, a press officer at the local Var region prefecture said. But
probably at least 12 people were unaccounted for, the official said on
condition of anonymity in keeping with her job's regulations.
Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux, visiting the region, said the death
toll "unfortunately, may climb."
The floods swept away cars, trees and parts of houses in a downpour that
devastated the picturesque region in the hills behind a portion of the
Riviera, a magnet for tourists. Coastal towns where tourists flock, Frejus
and Roquebrune, also were hit.
Eleven of the deaths were in Draguignan in the Riviera back hills
scattered with olive groves and small vineyards.
Nearly 3,000 rescue workers poured into the region, joining 650 police,
the prefecture said. Nearly a dozen helicopters worked overnight Tuesday
to evacuate people trapped by floodwaters, which reached about 2 metres
high in some areas.
It was the second time in less than four months that France has coped with
major weather-related disasters. On Feb. 28, at least 52 people were
killed when a storm named Xynthia swept through French coastal communities
on the Atlantic with waves smashing dikes.
Read the full article with photos here.
Hi, Bob -
I hope you've put the recent stuff about the terrible flooding in Le Muy
and the Var area of France.
I am so relieved to hear that not only are our friends in this area safe,
but also that they were able to save the important papers, souvenirs and
memorabilia in the museum, which was under, unbelievably, almost 3 meters
of water.
Although I've been there many times, I never thought of this as low
ground.
We will stay tuned, but I know our hearts are with the good people of Le
Muy, Draguinan, and the the entire Var area.
Claire
Being the nephew of a 517th trooper, I've long been curious as to what the
paratroopers were all about. As a youngster visiting grandparents during
summer months, I looked forward to getting into grandma's old cedar chest
where she kept all that stuff that her two son's sent home back during the
war years. Both sons served in Europe during WWII, the younger one served
with George Patton's Armored group the 89th, while the other was a
paratrooper with the Five-Seventeen. They wrote her regularly during the
war and she kept every letter, memento and photo from their various
locations. I was attracted to the letters from them and all the photo's
they sent home showing the tanks, and planes, parachutes and big guns over
there. Though the war had been over for several years I would sit for
hours reading and re-reading those old letters and looking at photos from
the "Big War". PFC George Cavnar of Regimental HQ Co. served from Toccoa
to the Bulge and on to Berlin for occupational duty.
I was fascinated with one
particular photo that he sent home. It was a photo of him driving a jeep
with about a dozen troopers hanging on for dear life. It was taken as the
jeep made it's way up the steep marble front steps that led to a huge
multi-storied granite government building in Naples, Italy, I believe. It
appeared from the photo as if everyone had his own personal bottle of
whatever it was that had made them so daring. When I saw the photo I
decided then and there that the Army was for me, I could hardly wait.
Uncle George said he came
through the war with no major boo-boos. However while escorting a couple
of WAC's and buddies in a jeep thru Berlin, a front wheel dropped off into
the street car track groove causing the jeep to flip on it's side. Every
one got out except him as his arm was pinned between the jeep and the
pavement. He got a broken arm but no purple heart. He told of finally
starting for home from Berlin later in 45 with the arm in a cast. Once in
the states he boarded a troop train bound for Texas and he and his duffle
bag were headed for home. Several days later when the train arrived at his
depot in Texas, Uncle George was involved in conversation with friends
[crap game] and in saying their farewells, he some how lost track of time.
As he started to step off the train he became aware that the train was
already pulling away from the station. As he was replaying the jump
sequence in his mind...... he was hooked up [with duffle].....standing in
the door.........jump ! I'm sure he probably yelled "Geronimo" as he and
his bundle cleared the door. He most likely was awaiting the opening shock
when reality set in. Piece of cake for an old Airborne trooper I would
think. By the time he was through bouncing along the rocks alongside the
tracks he came up lame with two broken bones in the lower leg. He was
unceremoniously loaded into an ambulance with the arm still in a cast and
transported to the Army Hospital at Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio. The
Battle of the Bulge was not nearly as hard on the body as was this train
ride. I'm not sure how long he was detained in the hospital there but he
definitely took a detour enroute home. Our wounded warrior arrived home
with a leg and an arm in a cast but at least he was home.
"NephewOfABuzzard"
Bob:
I received a letter from the nephew of T/4 Francisco Soto who died May 29,
1944 aboard the troop ship Cristobal taking us to Italy. He, along with
S/Sgt De Grenier, died as a result of drinking "Torpedo Juice".
The nephew's name is Paul Hoylen, Jr. and he would like to talk to someone
who knew Soto. He said his Uncle could speak Spanish as did the Panama
crew and that is probably why he was associating with the crew of the
ship.
Paul would like to purchase a copy of Paratroopers' Odyssey. I don't know
who has the supply but whoever does can talk to him. His telephone number
is 575-546-9559.
His address is Paul Hoylen, Jr.
221 W. Pine
Deming, NM 88030
Merle W. Mc Morrow
[As I
had no idea what Torpedo Juice is, I had to look it up. "Torpedo
juice is American slang for an alcoholic beverage, first mixed in World
War II, made from pineapple juice and the 180-proof grain alcohol fuel
used in United States Navy torpedo motors". Here is the
full article from
Wikipedia. -- BB]
Subject: Russ Brami
Hello,
My name is Emma Brami and I am the granddaughter of Russ Brami. I was
thinking of him and decided to "Google" him and came across your website.
I read a message from a man named Merle Mc Morrow. It said that Grandpa
died two years ago. Actually, he has only recently died. He died on Easter
Sunday of this year. We buried him at sea Mother's Day weekend at his
favorite fishing spot in Cedar Key, Florida. He was first and foremost a
soldier, even in retirement. He was always shaved and had a close haircut.
Although Grandpa had developed Alzheimer's, he still remembered his
military days very clearly. He died peacefully in Kingwood, TX, surrounded
by photos of his old units, patches and medals. If you could post this, I
would appreciate it.
Thank you,
Emma
Bob:
Attached is a copy of the daily news report we received on the ship
returning us home from Europe. A cheer would go up each day when the
ship's captain would announce the distance remaining to New York Harbor.
You can't imagine the feeling everyone experienced when they realized they
were really going home. And then sadness set in when we pulled into New
York. Not all that left the States 19 months earlier were returning and
when that thought struck us it dampen some of the joy and excitement.
Merle W. Mc Morrow
Bob:
I don't know what outfit these fellows were from but our group didn't
start coming in until the middle of March 1943. Maybe someone can clear up
the question. Some of the cadre for the 517th were probably at Mackall in
February 1943.
Merle W. McMorrow
From Phil McSpadden:
I don't think I have ever heard the
second verse of The Star Spangled Banner before....think I like it better
than the first verse. Certainly something we should incorporate in our
ceremonies!!!
phil
Subject: Former Marine ‘Stuns Crowd’
Dear mr. Barrett,
I would like to be added in the 517th mail call. My email address: tom-peeters@online.nl
Recently I adopted 5 graves at Henri-Chapelle war cemetery in Belgium. One
belongs to Pvt John J Jarozy of Company F 517 Parachute Infantry Regiment.
He got KIA in the Ardennes, Belgium on January 3rd. I am researching every
soldier that I adopted at Henri-Chapelle. To put a face to the name, get
insight in what happened and to honor the men who
fought for my freedom 66 years ago.
If there is someone out there who knew John J Jarozy, I would love to hear
from him/her.
'It is a small word, true and tender, to say that we will always Remember'
Sincerely,
Tom Peeters
Best, the Netherlands
tom-peeters@online.nl
Subject: 460th F A member Donald R
Barney
Greetings,
My name is Erwin Barney. I recently discovered documents and photos
relating to my fathers service in WWII, and I was stunned. Prior to my
finding dad's stuff, there was a gentleman from my small town of Verndale,
MN, who passed away recently by the name of Walt Gronwald, who was an
airborne infantryman (either 82nd or 101st if I recall correctly), who was
wounded several times in the Ardennes and only barely managed to crawl out
alive, full of shrapnel which stayed in his body till the day he died a
few months ago. (He was a bit of a local legend, because he could very
accurately predict the weather based upon how his bones felt, due to the
shrapnel)... I was privileged enough to have spoken with him about his war
experiences a couple of times, and was pretty much in awe. Imagine my
surprise when I found dads service records listing one of the campaigns he
participated in with the 460th as the Ardennes. I've been doing a lot of
looking around on the internet since, and found your excellent site.
Seeing his name on the Christmas roster on your site, I was speechless.
My dad was PFC Donald R Barney, hailing from LeClair, Iowa at the time he
entered service. His service record says he was part of A battery of the
460th, but the Christmas roster of 1944 shows him in D battery at that
time. It looks like he was with the 460th from time of entry to the
service till demobilization in '45. I also found a (long) photo rolled up
in a cardboard tube with 129 men in it, which I am assuming is whichever
battery he was in at the time of training(???) I would be happy to send
this to you if I can figure out how to scan such a long picture, along
with any other photos I have of him. After leaving the service in '45, dad
later signed on for a second hitch, and served at fort Sheridan, Ill, from
about '47 to '50, and then I have a photo of him with sergeants stripes,
with the "114th Trans Trk Co", which is the local National Gaurd unit from
our area here in Minnesota, dated 1955. He had two kids, myself and a
sister, and was working as a mechanic in Wadena MN, where I was born, when
he unexpectedly died at age 48, of natural causes.
I am also keenly interested if anyone out there remembers my dad, might be
able to tell me a bit about him and/or any actions he was in, or anything
from that time. His service record for the '43 to '45 period says he had
four bronze stars and a good conduct medal, but I have been unable to
figure out so far any place that might say when he earned the medals or
for what. Dad passed away two days before my 12th birthday, in October of
1970. Sadly, I never got a chance to know him "man to man", and never got
a chance to talk to him about his service. Does anyone remember my dad,
have any good stories or info, and are the photos I have of interest for
you?
Your generation has often been referred to as "the greatest generation",
and I would concur wholeheartedly with that, in no small part due to the
likes of you guys. God bless. Please answer if you knew my pops!
Respectfully,
Erwin J Barney
easterbarney@yahoo.com
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