Hello,
We have just had a blizzard in the Northeast 28 inches of snow and cold. However, compared to the conditions in Belgium neary 60 years ago during The Battle of The Bulge, this is a piece of cake.
Ben
Website------prct517.home.attbi.com or members.aol.com/prct517/
Mail Call--Ben517@aol.com
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Subj: Mail Call
Date: 2/17/2003 9:42:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: brianebehrens@hotmail.com
To: Ben517@aol.com
Ben,
I've been in contact with Merle Mc Morrow regarding an oral history project
that I am working on concerning 517th PRCT veterans who trained at Toccoa.
I sent him an introductory letter which he is going to publish in the
Thunderbolt along with some pictures of a new monument and flagpole that is
going to be dedicated at the Camp Toccoa site this Fall. Merle told me that
he forwarded my letter and photos on to you for the next "Mail Call". I was
hoping that you could add me to the Mail Call list so that I can stay
informed of happenings with the regiment.
Sincerely,
Brian Behrens
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-Subj: Happy Washington's Birthday...Sort Of
Date: 2/17/2003 8:28:53 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: BoomBoomAlicki
Ben...Watched TV weather report.. Wow! You sure are getting snowed in. In the Southern South were being blasted with sleet and ice. Take care and keep up the good work.
"Americans might better appreciate our nation's greatest virtue - the moral
vision that has kept us free - if we returned to celebrating George
Washington's birthday as George Washington's birthday.
"Washington was born Feb. 22, 1732. In 1885, Congress made his birthday a
national holiday. In 1968, however, to create a three-day weekend, Congress
passed another law (that took effect in 1971) moving this holiday to the
third Monday in February - a day that never falls on Washington's actual
birthday."
- Columnist Terence Jeffrey
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Subj: Nacho's Life Story
Date: 2/17/2003 5:47:46 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: ngott@neteze.com
Hi Ben and 517th,
I have finished the book for Nacho Vasquez, 3rd bn, and would like to offer it to anyone who might like to read his life's struggles to survive, and his stories in the war with the 517th.
The book is called "Not Ready To Die."
If you would like a copy, the cost is $12.00 plus $2.00 postage and handling.
Nila Gott
4848 Amblebrook Way
Sacramento, CA 95823
Thank you!
Nila
916 393-5542
_______________________________________________________________________
Subj: AUCTION
Date: 2/18/2003 11:07:09 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: grandstadlers@msn.com ( Tom Stadler )
To: BEN517@AOL.COM
DESCRIPTION OF A FRENCH RIFLE FOR SALE ON E-BAY
NEVER SHOT-----DROPPED TWICE
__________________________________________________________________________
Subj: 517
Date: 2/18/2003 12:53:29 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: JBJB93
To: abnvaquero@yahoo.com, Ben517
Hello Mr. Baird,
Good to see you on the 517 email site. John Bramswig here, son in law of the late Ed Marconi, Co A - FIRST BATTALION! We spoke on the phone once regarding your one memory of Ed. I think it is worth sharing, albeit perhaps not a John Wayne story.
Mr. Bairds last memory of my father in law was as part of the occupation army in Germany. Apparently Ed, (wounded in attach on Schmidt - Feb 45) who was from tough area of Brooklyn NY, was caught dabbling in the black market and put under arrest. Which follows suit to his Brooklyn days and made him great match for airborne (ya gotta be a little nuts to jump out of a perfectly good plane).
Well, who was Ed's guard - MR BAIRD. Baird knew Ed from Co A and promptly gave him back his clothes (which were confiscated as Ed was a "quick type kid"). Ed swore he could find the Russian girl that would clear up the mess and Mr Baird looked the other way while Ed made like the "quick type kid" and escaped. Ed did return with the Russian girl and all was cleared up with a happy ending.
Funny thing is, we still have a photo in Eds old photo album of a girl he always said was his Russian girlfriend in Germany. Great story!
I have attached a jpeg of Eds medals that I had framed that sits on the wall next to my own father who was CIB S Sgt in 87th Div Battle of the Bulge too. What great men.
Regards to all you troopers,
John
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Subj: Lt. Aaron Shore
Date: 2/18/2003 4:42:53 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: em11@freegates.be
Dear Mr Barrett,
I hope that all is fine for you and your family.
I write you again for some informations.
Do you know the Lieutenant Aaron SHORE of the Company G/517th Para ?
On December 23rd, when his company was in Harze, for the protection of the Hq of General Ridgway (VIIIth Airborne Corps), he received the order to made a reconnaissance patrol to the front line. The Corps lost the contact with an unit, and Lt Shore, with his driver and two authers soldiers, took a jeep and left Harzé in the direction of Werbomont - Manhay etc... During several hours, they looking for the lost units on the front line but without succes. They met a friend of the 509th Para. and stay the night with the group of Major Brewster between Baraque de Fraiture and Manhay Crossraods. The next day, in the morning, the German attack their position but the Task-Force Brewster stopped the German advance during all days. Lt.Shore left the hamelet of Belle-Haie and going back to Harze.
Do you know this story ?
I would like put a name on each men of this patrol !
All is O.K. for me. I pursue the book and it will be probably finish on December. Next year, I will probably publish it with approximatively eighty testimony of soldiers. A few from the veterans of the 517th Para.
Please excuse me for not write you before but I stayed a month without computer. My old computer was out...
Sincerely yours,
Eddy
-----------------------------------------
Eddy MONFORT
15, Rue de la Gotte
B-6960 MANHAY
BELGIUM
Email em11@freegates.be
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I would appreciate it if any members of G Co. could help my young Belgian friend.
Ben
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