Hello,
Just about caught up on email and Guestbook entries after returning from a week in Florida.I have not been able to answer all request for information but will do so as soon as possible and if you do not get a reply send it in again. Missed some old friends ar the reunion but met new ones including Dorothy Mackenzie whose husband was a past president of the Assn. Also meet Leo Dean, our secretary who is still jumping and trying to spend all his money so that it will not burn when he takes the final jump.Will have more to say about the reunion in later Mail Calls.
Ben
Website---prct517.home.attbi.com or members. aol.com/prct517/
Mail Call--Ben517@aol.com
____________________________________________________________
Subj: CARL KIEFER
Date: 1/28/2003 4:03:49 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: bigzebra@msn.com
To: Ben517@aol.com
At a recent breakfast with Carl we discussed plans for the upcoming So.Cal reunion in April and how he planned to attend knowing the chances were slim at best. Having worked with Carl on the reunions I knew of his never ending dedication and enthusiasm. I shall miss his counsel and friendship , therefore on 4/10 the night of the banquet at the request of his family we will host a short but special free bar tribute in Carls memory.I hope many of his friends will make this special occassion.
BILL CHRISTIAN [714] 838-0613
_________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 411 517TH PRCT
Date: 1/27/2003 4:50:12 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: micmonro@linkny.com
Hi Ben
I'm trying to find some information on my uncle and see if anybody remembers him. His name was Gale R. Swarthout from Pen Yan, New York. He was wtih the 517th HQ company 2nd Battalion, he was wounded Aug 1944 during fight in southern France, he also recieved a Bronze Star. But I don't when he returned back to the unit, as far as I can tell he still wasn't back with the 517th in December.
Thanks!
Mike Monroy
______________________________________________________
Subj: One Nation Under God
Date: 1/27/2003 9:16:44 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: newacct1088254 Boom Boom Alicki )
To: Ben517
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore I have a very
hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having "In God We
Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't
we just tell the 14% to shut up and sit down????
If you agree, pass this on, if not delete...
_________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 412 517TH PRCT
Date: 1/28/2003 11:38:47 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Camrod518
Hi Ben..It was a pleasure to meet you at the Mini. Hdqs 2nd had a wonderful time, remembering. My husband Jim was President of this group 30 years ago. I think he'll always be remembered as Sgt. Mac! I plan to keep in touch...Dorothy Mac
____________________________________________________________________
Entry_ of Jan 18, 2003 at 12:15 [EST]
Name: Anthony Fabbri
Unit: 517th Parachute Infantry TEC 5
EMail: strongholdfarm@juno.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: We have a map dated August 15th 1944 of "LA COTE D'AZUR" Rue Deloya, Nice. "From airstrip in Italy we landed at Callian 4:30am the last town we took was Sospel near the Italian border". Anthony Fabbri
_____________________________________________________
Entry of Jan 18, 2003 at 12:26 [EST]
Name: Susan Fabbri Norton- Troy Norton
Unit:
EMail: Strongholdfarm@juno.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: We entered the entry for Anthony Fabbri. If anyone remembers Anthony Fabbri we would appreciate any information they may be able to provide. We have lots of memorabilia from his time in the 517th (1944-1945). He was also in the Horse Calvary.
______________________________________________________
Entry of Jan 18, 2003 at 18:26 [EST]
Name: Mickey Monroy
Unit:
EMail: micmonro@linkny.com
How I found the 517th page: Other
Comments: Gale R. Swarthout was a member of 2/517th HQ company and also my great uncle. If anyone knew him or has any information about him it help me a lot.
Entry of Jan 24, 2003 at 17:48 [EST]
Name: Gerald Allen
Unit: 101st Airborne Div
EMail: oldranger@uia.net
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: My uncle Alton Allen (Shorty) was killed on Nov 4, 1944. I am attempting to get some history about the 517th. Any help would be appreciated.
______________________________________________________
Entry of Jan 25, 2003 at 17:32 [EST]
Name: Mark Wayne Mitchell
Unit: USN
EMail:
How I found the 517th page: unknown
Comments: My father Fredrick Wayne Mitchell Was in CO.E 517. According to his discharge papers he was awarded 3 bronze stars,1 bronze arrowhead, and The Purple Heart for wounds received 3.Jan.1945. He died of a massive heart attack 1 month before my tenth birthday. I would like to hear from any one who may remember him. I don't have an e-mail yet,but-5601 S.C.R. 1202 Midland , Texas 79706 will do it the old fashioned way. GREAT SITE!!
______________________________________________________
Entry of Jan 27, 2003 at 15:39 [EST]
Name: Dan Robins, Maj, USAR (Ret)
Unit: Richard Lynam, H co, kia Jan 5th 1943
EMail: dan@horizonbiz.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: My cousin, Pvt Richard (Dick) Lynam , H co,517th PIR was killed on Jan 5th, 1945 at the bulge. Received Silver Star. He is listed first on the morning report dated Jan 8th, 1943 on this site. Does anyone have additional info?..from letters he was in the 511th early 1943 in Georgia.
______________________________________________________
Entry of Jan 27, 2003 at 18:02 [EST]
Name: Frederick R Stark [son]
Unit: sgt gerald stark C company
EMail: tbarwalk@aol.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: I'm interested to find someone who served with my father to relate stories etc. of time in 517th
_____________________________________________________________
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Link to your website
Date: 1/25/2003 12:57:14 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: btzoumas@bellsouth.net
To: PRCT517@aol.com
Hello,
My name is Betty Tzoumas (byline Betty Thomas). I publish a weekly
newspaper in Palm Beach County, FL, called the Condo News. My website
is: http://www.condonewsonline.com.
I generate the material for my website from the print paper. I have a
very large WWII readership and have made a page just for them:
http://www.condonewsonline.com/veterans_news.htm.
I would like to place a link to your website on that page. I am sure
some of your veterans are in our condominiums. If this is agreeable to
you, please let me know.
Best regards,
Betty
______________________________________________________________Subj: Re: Link to your website
Date: 1/25/2003 4:49:29 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: PRCT517
To: btzoumas@bellsouth.net
Hello, Betty,
Yes, of course you can put a link to our site in your website. We would be honored.
http://prct517.home.attbi.com/
The 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team was a small, independent unit of only 2500 men, and existed from only 1943 to 1945. They were attached at times to several larger units and divisions during several WWII campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge.
Also, you may be aware that the 517th just finished an annual Florida mini-reunion in Kissimmee this past week. If there were any 517th soldiers in your area, we hope they had a chance to attend.
If you find any other veterans of the 517th among your readers, please let us know.
Regards,
Bob Barrett
webmaster - 517 PRCT
______________________________________________________________________
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Link to 517th Website
Date: 1/26/2003 9:26:03 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: btzoumas@bellsouth.net
To: PRCT517@aol.com
Hello Bob, OK, the link is on: http://www.condonewsonline.com/veterans_news.htm As you can see, the Battle of the Bulge local chapter has a huge presence with our paper. I am a guest at their twice a year gala/luncheons. Their chapter is growing, too. Amazing, since we are losing so many WWII vets every year. God bless each and every one of you. Betty
___