September 11, 2002 is soon approaching. On that day, please wear red, white and blue or an American Flag Pin to work or school to show your support for those who lost their lives on 9~11~01 and to honor the heroes who worked to save them and the families left behind. At noon your time on September 11, 2002, no matter where you are or what you are doing, stop, put your hand on your heart, and say the Pledge of Allegiance out loud or to yourself and say a prayer for our nation. If all of us do this together in every time zone around the world, we will have a powerful chain of thoughts surrounding us.
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Subj:
Article
Date: 8/26/2002 10:38:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: jem@n2hos.com
Hi Ben

I don't know Ivan Peterman but methinks he is more a novelist than a
correspondent. But it takes all kinds.

As we get ready to move south for good I've stumbled on a few
interesting tidbits. Two flimsy pieces of paper were the Master's Noon
Position Report for the vessel LaGrande Victory. This was the
unballasted Liberty ship that brought me home from LeHavre, arriving New
York on December 14th.

Like many 75 or 80 pointers who chose to stay in Europe, I wound up with
the 82nd in Berlin, but was immediately shifted to AFN Berlin. The clock
ticked and a small group of us were sent to the cigarette camps. We
jeeped across Europe via Paris and arrived about November 22nd or so. .
.  and froze to death until we got on board the ship.

Then things went to hell. The minute we left the harbor we knew we were
in for it. Those who were not seasick gathered in the galley for a meal
but were immediately attacked by flying trays, glassware and china. The
deck was as though someone had ladled grease on every inch of it. No one
went there again for ten days! Cold sandwiches were placed at strategic
locations and the few of us who could get out of their bunks survived on
such gourmet foods.

I was trying to put out the ship's newspaper. BBC broadcast a slow news
show a couple of times a day and a good typist could keep up with it. I
could do that, normally, but in this case I would be typing away, look
down and see that the typewriter's carriage was going the wrong way. Not
too productive!!

I'll never forget the sight of the waves crashing over the bow of the
ship. The guns had been removed from the ship so a couple of us would go
up to the forward turret and watch the 40 or 50 foot waves come piling
in to the ship.

I don't remember getting these two reports so I enjoyed finding them. On
December 11, the winds were Force 9 out of the West. That's one step
beneath a full fledged hurricane, I think. Anyway, we averaged 13.64
KPH. The next day, the winds shifted to the Northwest and our average
speed dropped to 7.2 KPH, in seas described as VERY ROUGH! I can agree
with that report.

We arrived in New York Harbor in what was one of the colder days of the
year, but were hurried home. I arrived at Ft. Logan, CO on the 18th and
was out on the 20th and home in plenty of time for Christmas in
Cheyenne, WY.

I don't think there were any other members of the 517th on board. At
least I didn't meet them . . . but then only those few were not seasick
made the rounds!

I haven't looked forward to another North Sea trip ever since.

Best

Jim Mortensen
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Subj: Parachute Screen Saver
Date: 8/29/2002 8:08:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: BoomBoomAlicki

Ben
I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. My deepest sympathy and prayers to John Lissner in the loss of his beloved spouse.
Although I have the "Parachute Screen Saver" which you sent a couple of years ago, I tried the one just sent and get a "No Page to Display"......unable to link.
Wish you and your family a peaceful and restful Labor Day.
                                                                            Boom Boom
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Subj: Re: Parachute Screen Saver
Date: 8/29/2002 9:04:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: PRCT517
To: Ben517

In a message dated 8/29/2002 8:32:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Ben517 writes:

What is the problem? "no page to display. Unable to l.ink"

Subj: Screen saver

Date: 8/30/2002 12:22:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: gdp@oregontrail.net
To: Ben517@aol.com
File: BillMauldin.tif (1577216 bytes) DL Time (TCP/IP): < 2 minutes

Hi Ben:
The parachute screen saver came through fine.
I'm sorry to hear about Bill Mauldin being in such bad shape. I'm
attaching my favorite of his cartoons in case some of the guys do not
have his book.
Gary

I will attach Gary's download.
Ben
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