Hello,
Less than a month ago we were waiting for the arrival of Ed Flannery at the Kissimmee reunion when we got word that Ed was ill. He died at 9:00 AM Feb. 13.
Ed was the inspiration for Mail Call. He kept us all informed about the health of Bill Lewis prior to Bill's death and I later took over Ed's address book and started Mail Call. We asked Ed if he would want to be a webmaster with us on our website and although he declined because of other interest he continued to offer suggestions to improve Mail Call and sent us information for the website.
Ben
Website- prct51.home.attbi.com or members.aol.com/prct517/
Mail Call---Ben517@aol.com
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Subj: Reunion Alert
Date: 2/14/2003 2:12:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: bigzebra@msn.com
To: Ben517@aol.com
Hi Troopers , Reunion time is around the corner and I hope you are making plans to attend. I must continue to negotiate with the hotel therefore I need some attendence projections . I know it is difficult to commit too far in advance however I would appreciate and suggest that you register ASAP or give me a call if you have any questions.
Early Arrival April 6 Offical Registration April 7 [BREAKFAST] Registration $35 Check to Bill Christian 17422 Parker Drive Tustin California 92780 Room Registration $61 Plus Tax Ramada Resort 760-323-1711 .Looking forward to another great reunion BILL CHRISTIAN 714-838-0613 GOD BLESS AMERICA .
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Entry of Feb 11, 2003 at 16:51 [EST]
Name: Kelley, Howard L.
Unit: USMC,
EMail: Khaki1941@cs.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: Looking for information on Paul Kelley. 517th PIR. Received Bronze Star, 1944 Italy. Was wounded, and received Purple Heart. Looking to fill in the gaps, How, why, where, etc. Regards, Howard L. Kelley
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Subj: Re: 517 Guestbook
Date: 2/13/2003 10:39:07 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Khaki1941@cs.com
Hello Ben,
Thank you for the respose. After several hours of searching,
I have learned that PAUL KELLEY was in "E" company 517th.
This was found on your website in the Christmas 1944 program.
He was listed as a Pvt. at that time. I know he received a Purple Heart
and the Bronze Star in 1949. His rank on the Award document was
that of Sgt. I do not know if he received any other awards other than
the normal campaign awards. The Bronze Star document states that it
was awarded for the campaign in an around Rome, Italy.
Which I understand was not an easy few months.
Would members of the 517th, have received a battle star on their wings
for the combat jump in Southern France?
Mr. Barret thank you for you service to our Country!
Best Regards,
Howard L. Kelley
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Subj: address chg
Date: 2/12/2003 5:01:13 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: RCOLEMAN8@satx.rr.com
Note address change. RCOLEMAN8@satx.rr.com
Randolph & Betty Coleman
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Subj: RE: 11 BRAVO - THE AMERICAN INFANTRYMAN
Date: 2/12/2003 1:56:21 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: rbarrett@alum.mit.edu
To: Ben517@aol.com
11 BRAVO - THE AMERICAN INFANTRYMAN
The average age of the Infantryman is 19 years old. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, but old enough to die for his country.
He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either. He's a recent high school graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.
He listens to rock and roll or jazz or swing or country and 155 mm Howitzers. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble with spelling, thus letter writing is a pain, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop
or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of BDUs: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his weapon. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and his weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life--or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
Just as did his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he is paying the price of our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
HE IS AN INFANTRYMAN – 11 BRAVO. Remember him.
This description was taken from the parent’s network at the West Point Military Academy and provided to us by a fellow Currahee. Does it ring any bells with you?
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Subj: information on my father
Date: 2/14/2003 12:41:46 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: mills520@webtv.net
To: Ben517@aol.com
hello...I am trying to find out some information about my father...may I
please send you some information to you to see if you could help?
thank you
kelly schultz
(father's name; alvin j. schultz)
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Subj: Re: MAIL CALL - SPECIAL REPORT
Date: 2/13/2003 8:10:23 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Genesir
Ben,
So sorry to hear of Ed's passing. A fine gentleman, friend, and a great loss to his family and to all in the 517th family. Ben, I know that Merele will have picked up on this very quickly. I believe it would be proper for he or one of the other staff members to make the appropriate announcement of my responsibilities. I suppose I could develop something, however....
Gene Frice
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