Hello,
All must have received the 1st Quarter 2003 of The Thunderbolt by now. It was superlative as usual. How fortunate we are to have Merle McMorrow as editor and Allan Johnson as our president.
Ben
Website-----www.517prct.org
Mail Call----Ben517@aol.com
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Subj:
Date: 3/17/2003 8:51:51 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: RayhessR@netscape.net
Good Morning Ben! I noticed in the local paper on Saturday that CARL A. BOYER of "C" CO. passed away. I didn't know Carl while in the service, but met him at a meeting of the "LEHIGH VALLEY CHAPTER OF 82nd A/B ASSOCIATION". Carl was a very soft spoken guy while I knew him. BEST REGARDS R. HESS "F" CO.
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Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO 442 517TH PRCT
Date: 3/17/2003 6:23:18 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Dalry596@webtv.net
Dear Ben, Thanks for the reminder. Garnet and I are "hanging in there".
I'm in pretty good shape, " for the shape i'm in ",( courtesy of Bill
Conger). Garnet has a lasting chronic pain from that left hip revision (
redo of her '85 replacement ),but manages it pretty well. I'msure she is
far from being alone on " pain lane". We're coming up in 86 and 87, plus
our 64th anniversary on 10 June. I see President Charic is trying
toback-track today. Anxious to hear the President at 6 our time. Best
wishes to allof our IRISH members. ABBL. Bob Dalrymple .
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_Subj: Lt.Aaron Shore
Date: 3/18/2003 8:25:16 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: e.monfort@belgacom.net
To: eharger@chartermi.net
CC: Ben517@aol.com
Dear Mr Harger,
With late, I sending you an answer. Please excuse me but since several weeks I changed my email address. I had some problems with my computer and with my serveur Freegates, I had to many publicity ! But, every two weeks, I go back on the site of Freegates and I looking the email. Since two weeks, I had 60 emails but only yours was not a publicity ! Now, my address email is : e.monfort@belgacom.net
I found the testimony of Lt Shore in a book : "Stand in the door !" from Charles H.Doyle and Terrell Stewart. A book on the history of the 509th Para Inf. Bn. !
I remember of you when you are coming in 1994. It was at the hotel of Baraque de Fraiture where Jean-François Dahin take you for a cup of coffee. I was there and I say you hello...
Jean-François Dahin is a friend.He is my postman in my village of Malempre, near Manhay.
Thank you for your answer to my question about Lt. Aaron Shore.
Sincerely,
A friend from Belgium,
Eddy
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Subj: Sept Reunion
Date: 3/18/2003 1:08:08 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: AARGoodman
Ben I have a letter and registration forms from Toccoa and agenda for a Sept 25-28 reunion of all the paratroop units that trained there ie 501, 506, 511, and 517. I suggest that any interested contact the chamber at the e mail address shown on this copy or phone 706-886-2132 for information an forms.
Hope all is well with you . I came back from Fl with some health problem but the Dr. is working on it and says he can fix it . I just hope in time for Palm Springs. Al The computor tells me that the taccoa address is too long so just use the phone no. if interested.
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-Subj: 517th email
Date: 3/18/2003 3:02:04 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: ngott@neteze.com
Hi Ben,
My son, Rick (son of Nacho Vasquez) would like to start receiving the email. He is also going to attend one of days at the Palm Springs reunion in April.
Thank you,
his email is viaggo4mr@aol.com
Thank you,
Nila______________________________________________________
Subj: The Infantryman
Date: 3/17/2003 8:01:20 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: jquinn07@tampabay.rr.com
Remembering that historically it's the Infantryman who suffers the most
casualties in any war.
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The Infantryman
The average age of the Infantryman is 19 years.
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, not old enough to buy a beer, 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 hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and
155mm 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 spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he
can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in
the dark.
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 fatigues: 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 rifle.
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 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 humour in it all. He has seen more suffering and
death then 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.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body
while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to
'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove
their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out,
far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is
paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man that has 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.
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