Hello,
We are gradually making changes in our website. Have you checked it out lately? We have consolidated some items on the Contents page. We also have the latest news and reunion information there.

The following link was written before 9/11 but I think it is appropriate even more so today.

   

"A Canadian" - USA? 

Website---www.517prct.org

Mail Call---Ben517@aol.com
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Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO 440 517TH PRCT 
Date: 3/12/2003 10:08:57 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: reber83@insightbb.com

Dear Ben,

 
I am asking for some help clearing up the training and formation timetable of the 517th, actually as it relates specifically to Toccoa.  I believe the formation of the 517th began in March of 1943, if I have my facts right.
 
When did the 517th leave Toccoa for Mackall?  I found orders for my Dad to report to Toccoa on May 5, 1943, and he was eventually assigned to the 3rd Battalion, which to my understanding, did not train as a complete battalion until Mackall.  I am having trouble finding the timetable for the regiment going to Mackall.  Can anyone help me out with the dates?  I would appreciate it.
 
Remebering those who serve and served, support our troops!
 
Regards,
 
Tom Reber
son of Lt. Bob Reber HQ Co. 3rd Bn. 81mm Mortars
_________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO 440 517TH PRCT 
Date: 3/12/2003 7:51:45 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Newlb109
To: Ben517

"language that might be offensive to paratroopers"  Thanks Ben, Best laugh that I have had in weeks..  Boyd
__________________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Camp Toccoa History Project 
Date: 3/12/2003 10:21:58 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: brianebehrens@hotmail.com
To: prct517@aol.com
CC: Ben517@aol.com, mmcmor8391@aol.com

Bob,

I saw you got the Camp Toccoa History Project on the website.  Thank you so
very much.....I really appreciate you doing that.

I found out today that the organizers of the Camp Toccoa Reunion have
provided registration information on the 506th PIR Currahee website.  I was
hoping you might be able to link the URL into my letter on the 517th PRCT
website at the end of paragraph in which I discuss the Camp Toccoa Reunion. 
I want to make sure I am using all available methods for getting this
information out to 517th veterans who might be interested in attending the
Camp Toccoa Reunion this September. The Camp Toccoa Reunion information is
available at: http://currahee.hispeed.com/
Click on "Currahee Reunions/Events"

Sincerely,

Brian Behrens
__________________________________________________________________

This from a Static line column written by Tom Cross in 1988.

During training in the 1940's the Army conducted physical proficiency tests. This is how the 517 performed.

The following is from an editorial  from a Commander that "called them as he saw them".

   "Three times in one day the U. S. Army Record was broken and we now hold not only the first place, but the second and third as well.

   Men, it took more than just physical strength to set those records-it took determination and the will to carry through-That wins battles-it took team work and that WINS battles-it took leadership-and that wins Battles.

   I saw one man fall near the end of the 300-yard run.He struggled up and fell again. He couldn't rise so he crawled across the line. That's determination.

      I saw another man just back from furlough and too ill to go on-too exhausted- so his company carried him and his equipment the full four miles- That's teamwork!

    I saw each company as it neared the finish line of the speed march- they looked better than when they started-they're a rugged  bunch, even if they can't sing- which they tried. That's Airborne.

   You stack up pretty well!

                                     L. A. Walsh jr."
_______________________________________________________
Subj: Fwd: Fw: Earthquake in France] 
Date: 3/13/2003 8:21:08 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Dallasandjerrie ( Dallas and Jerrie Long )
To: Ben517

Courtesy of George Aubrey

March 9, 2003.  Today it was reported that a severe earthquakes
have occurred in 10 different locations in France. The severity was
measured in excess of 10 on the Richter Scale. The cause was the 56,681
dead American soldiers buried in French soil rolling over in their graves.

According to the American Battle Monuments Commission there are 26,255
Yankee dead from World War I buried in 4 cemeteries in France. There are
30,426 American dead from World War II buried in 6 cemeteries in France.

These 56,681 brave American heroes died in their youth to liberate a
country which is guilty of shameful unspeakable behavior in the 21st
century. May the United States of America never forget their sacrifice as
we find ways to forcefully deal with the Godforsaken unappreciative,
forgetful country of France!

PASS THIS AROUND! Maybe it will get to someone in France!!!


___________________________________________________________-
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Subj: German Politick 
Date: 3/13/2003 12:16:41 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: chester.iery@verizon.net
To: ben517@aol.com
SOME FRIENDS WE HAVE
DON'T YOU KNOW   Chet
Subject: German Politick

1871 - Bismarck founds modern Germany.
1890 - Bismarck sacked, warmonger Wilhelm II takes direct control.
1914 - Germany starts World War I
1914-1918 - Germany kills millions upon millions of people.
1917 - Germany force peace loving Americans to enter war.
1918 - Germany loses World War I.
1920's - Germans try democracy.
1933 - Germans reject democracy, allow Hitler to take power.
1939 - Germany starts World War II.
1939-1945 - Germany kills millions upon millions of people.
1941 - Germany force peace loving Americans to enter war.
1945 - Germany loses World War II.
1946 - Germans whine about lack of food, America gives billions in food aid to feed them.
1947 - Germans whine about crappie economy, America gives billions in Marshall Plan aid to rebuild German economy.
1948-1949 - America puts ass on line and risk WW3 to save a few Berliners from Soviet hordes.
1949 - Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) established.
1950's - America spends billions to defend West Germany from Soviet hordes.
1950's - German 'economic miracle' occurs while America keeps watch on Soviet hordes.
1955 - NATO formed to protect West Germany from Soviet hordes.
1960's - America spends billions to defend West Germany from Soviet hordes.
1960's - German students protest war in Vietnam and American civil rights.
1963 - American President John Kennedy makes "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech.
1970's - America spends billions to defend West Germany from Soviet hordes.
1970's - Germans form the Marxist terrorist group Red Army Faction
(RAF).
1970's - Leftist German guerrillas burn, loot, and plunder much of West Germany.
1980's - America spends tens of billions to defend West Germany from Soviet hordes.
1980's - German leftist bitch about Perishing II missiles
1987 - American President Ronald Reagan makes "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" speech.
1989 - Gorbachev tears down Berlin Wall.
1990 - German Reunification.
1990's - America spends tens of billions to defend Germany from Islamic hordes.
1990's - Germany stands by as ethnic cleasing occurs in Balkans.
1993 - Germany joins European Union.
1995 - Americans send troops to Bosnia as Germans watch from the sidelines.
1997 - Germans finally send troops to Bosnia.
1998 - Hard-line, left-of-left socialist come to power under Gerhard Schroeder.
1999 - American's lead air war to save Kosovo as Germans watch from the sidelines.
2001 - Schroeder offers solidarity to America after 9/11 attacks.
2002 - Schroeder bashes America to distract voters during election campaign.
2003 - Germany sees rise in anti-Americanism after several decades of poor treatment from America.
 
AND YOU THOUGHT THE FRENCH WERE A BUNCH OF UNGRATEFUL BASTARDS?