Hello,
We hope to make changes in the website soon. We will have 500MB of space instead of the 60MG which we scrounge for now. We will also register a domain name such as www.517PRCT.org.
Ben
Website--prct517.home.attbi.com or members.aol.com/prct517/
Mail Call----Ben517@aol.com
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Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 425 517TH PRCT
Date: 2/18/2003 8:12:11 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Ltlpws5355
HI BEN,
I JUST WANTED TO WISH MY DAD, JESSE K. DAVIS A VERY HAPPY 86TH BIRTHDAY TODAY......HE IS ALMOST OVER HIS BROKEN BACK, AND DOING VERY WELL. WE TRAVEL AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN HIS MOTORHOME, TO ALL THE DOG SHOWS. GOING TO BINGO TONITE....HOPE WE WIN....THANKS
KATHY
LAS VEGAS
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Entry of Feb 19, 2003 at 21:34 [EST]
Name: Michelle Hagan
Unit:
EMail: mickihazekamp3@msn.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: I am looking for anybody who knew my grandfather, Joe (Dick) Cornett, of the 517 regiment 1st battalion. He died a few years ago, and I would like info on experiences during the war. Thank You
______________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Mail Call
Date: 2/19/2003 11:41:00 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: brianebehrens@hotmail.com
To: Ben517@aol.com
CC: brianebehrens@hotmail.com
Ben, Thanks for adding me to the mail call list. I might ask you to open
the attachment of my letter that I sent to Merle and post it in plain text
right on the web page for the next mail call. I am attaching my Camp Toccoa
intro letter in this mail to you.
Thanks, Brian Behrens
CAMP TOCCOA VETERANS’ HISTORIES WANTED
I am interested in recording oral histories of 517th PRCT veterans who trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. I am conducting this project with the endorsement of Mr. Ray Ward, who is the President of the Stephens County Historical Museum in Toccoa, for the purpose of creating an archive of oral histories of veterans from the 501st, 506th, 511th and 517th PIRs who trained at Camp Toccoa in 1942-43. The goal of my project is the historical preservation of the stories of men who began their initial training at Toccoa, and then as members of Parachute Infantry Regiments and Regimental Combat Teams, went on to achieve peace and security for the world on the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific. Additionally, I am also interested in obtaining copies of photographs that the veterans would like to submit with their oral histories. The oral histories and photographs are intended for public dissemination through the Stephens County Historical Museum and myself, Brian E. Behrens.
I will be attending the 517th Parachute Regiment Combat Team Biannual Reunion in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in June 2003. I would like to compile a list of 517th PRCT veterans who would be interested in sharing stories about their Camp Toccoa training as well as any “in theater” experiences. I prefer to conduct my interviews face-to-face with the 517th veterans; however, I realize that some of you do not travel to every reunion so I am leaving the option of conducting phone interviews as an alternate method for sharing your histories.
Also, the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce in Toccoa, Georgia, is hosting the 2003 Camp Toccoa Reunion, September 25-28th. This reunion is for the veterans of the four regiments who trained at Toccoa. There will be a dedication of a new monument and flagpole at the location of the main gate of the former Camp Toccoa (see pictures of monument and flagpole below). I will also be attending this reunion and will be available to conduct interviews with 517th veterans in attendance. The Camp Toccoa Reunion agenda is still being formalized and any questions concerning logistics and schedule should be directed to the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, (706) 886-2132.
How do I collect oral histories? I prefer to conduct my interviews face-to-face as this enables me to meet a majority of my interviewees in person and manage a more meaningful dialogue with them. I will record the veterans’ histories using a digital voice recorder that allows them to be saved on a computer and compact discs (CDs) for archival purposes. I am also utilizing a digital scanner that allows me to save high quality copies of any photographs the veterans may like to contribute. I should note here the veterans would not have to fear loaning their photographs to me for photo shop reproduction. I will be able to create and archive copies of photographs to a computer using a digital scanner during our face-to-face interviews.
If you are interested in contributing to my project I would like to hear from you. I can schedule your interview for either the 2003 517th Parachute Regiment Combat Team Biannual Reunion in Oklahoma City, the 2003 Camp Toccoa Reunion in Toccoa, or by telephone.
Brian E. Behrens
7555 Cavaletti Circle
Cumming, GA 30040
(770) 667-3320
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D E Militaria: I just won an auction for a postcard from a 517th trooper named Billie G. Minton, HQ Co. 2nd Bn. 517th PIR . I scanned the Xmas 44 rosters and the Memorial KIA lists, and don't see his name on either. Did you guys loose a few men prior to leaving the states?
D E Militaria: The postcard is from Camp Mackall, sometime in 1943.
***************
Does anyone have information about Billie G. Minton?
Ben
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subj: Re: 517
Date: 2/21/2003 3:17:15 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: barneylee21@msn.com
To: JBJB93@aol.com, abnvaquero@yahoo.com, Ben517@aol.co
Hi Mark: Got your note about Marconi. Things were confusing in Berlin at
that time. I know because I was there. Hope you folks are doing OK. Have
spent some time in the hospital recently but am back in action now. Thanks
for the note. Barney
----- Original Message -----
From: <JBJB93@aol.com
> 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
>