Hello,
I sometimes do not use mail that is too long,but often try to include it later on a quiet day.
Ben
Website-----www517prct.org
Mail Call----Ben517@aol.com
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Subj: Beth Chapman speech.
Date: 3/19/2003 4:47:23 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: LiddellDesigns@cs.com
Dear Mr.Barrett,
I'm so glad that the Alabama State Auditor Beth Chapman speech made it to you and that you posted it on the web-site. I also received it a few weeks ago. She lives a very short distance from my house. Her speech made me even more proud to come from the great State of Alabama. Since the state consists of about 90% (+ or -) conservatives, there's not a whole lot of war protesting going on down here. (or tolerated) I have always felt as though Alabama is one of the few states that isn't divided in political views and opinions. The majority of us are avid hunters / outdoorsmen / outdoorswomen / fishermen/women / Lifetime supporters of the NRA / God Fearing and believe very strongly in our Military and our 2nd amendment rights......"A well regulated militia being neccesary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED... I would safely say that 9 out of 10 homes (not counting the slum areas of in the large cities) have at leaste one firearm (unlocked) w/ cartridges that are accessable by anyone, including the kids, but Alabama is around #40 (last time I checked) when it comes to accidental shootings by children or grown ups. Education of firearms is taught from a young age. Kids don't see them as toys here. Playing with a gun is the cardinal sin.
I can say that Alabama has really supported our troops and our president and that makes me proud. I really think that the majority of the liberal war protestors are from California from what I hear. Every name that I see in an article or list of war protestors, have been written on a list and, as for myself, they will never sell me another book, sell me another movie ticket, sell me another cd, receive any money for video rentals, or, even if I find out that one of them is a stock holder of the candy co. that makes Lifesavors, I will never eat or buy another one. I WILL STICK TO THAT TOO. The list will be burned into my memory way after this war is won. (I'm sure the same people on the list will be changing their tune by then) On top of that, all of you veterans of ww2 were sent to liberate France from another tyrant by the name of Adolf Hitler, but, as soon as we need the assistance from France to get rid of another tyrant, Sadam Hussein, they refuse. I think that the US should put an endless embargo on them and see how they can make it without trade goods.
OK, I'll get off of my soapbox now.
Mail Call has been very good lately. It's inspiring reading the support that the members of the 517th are giving the troops and the president. (democrats and republicans alike)
Have a great day.
Chris Liddell
Birmingham, Al
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_Subj: Fw: Web Site
Date: 3/19/2003 12:12:03 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: lou@thedardens.net
To: ben517@aol.com
I think you will find this interesting. Lou Darden
----- Original Message ----- From: Richard Wolf
To: lou@thedardens.net
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 4:27 PM
Subject: Web Site
Lou and Jay
Check out our website at www.wwiiadt.org
Thanks Richard
******************
This organization is providing the color guard for the June reunion.-Ben
_____________________________________________________________________
To all the members of the 517th
Date: 3/19/2003 9:10:13 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: LiddellDesigns@cs.com
To: Ben517
To the paratroopers of the 517th,
Alright guys. It seems as though every time I read a "Mail Call", another member of the 517th has passed away. You guys are the toughest veterans from WW2 so your going to have to suck it up and start exercising, eating better, and going to your doctors regularly. (I guess that's easy for me to say since I'm only 30 and a "517th grandson") Right now, Americans need heros and role models with our country on the brink of war and everytime one of you pass away, we lose a real life hero. Please take care of yourselves and God bless all of you.
Grandson of Bobby M. Liddell (F co.)
Chris Liddell
McCalla, Alabama
____________________________________________________________________
Subj: JD Anderson
Date: 3/19/2003 7:51:38 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: ngott@neteze.com
Hi Ben,
I have come across a picture from Camp Mackall of T.D.Anderson, while going through Nacho's papers. Nacho wanted to contact him, but none of the addresses that he was given worked. Letters always came back. But I thought you might like to have the picture for the web site.
Nila Gott
______________________________________________________________________
From: Benoît Senne
To: PRCT517@aol.com
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 3:39 PM
Subject: Schiers Melvin C.
I m a navy officer (Born in 1971) in Toulon in Southern France.
During my holidays, i make lots off researches about the US paratroopers in the aera off Le muy anD Draguignan .
For Five years,with my brother, i visit all the battle field and i question the farmers in the aera to have historic informations and to collect all the battle field relics (Helmets, harness T5, bags, parachutes, ammunition belt, ......).
Two weeks ago, i succeed to find a marvellous camouflaged M1 carbine A1.
On the stock, we can read the following name : SCHIERS.
The camouflage with green, black and beige colors is typical from the 517 PRCT.
in the
517th Parachute Infantry Combat Team Christmas 1944 in France, i find the name Schiers Melvin C. HQ company 2nd Battalion.
Do you know if is it possible to have more informations about this man?
I will be very happy if you can find photos off Schiers (And his paratroopers friends) during the WW2 and about the Schiers family.
Thank you.
See you soon and sorry for my english.
* **************
I think we have had this request before, Any one have any information about Schiers ?-Ben
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-Entry of Mar 19, 2003 at 16:33 [EST]
Name: Donna Hilliard-Brown
Unit:
EMail: donna.hilliard@usdoor.com
How I found the 517th page: Heard from a member of the 517th
Comments: My dad was a member of the 517th 3rd battalion headquarters Silas Don Brown
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Subj: Re: Silas Brown
Date: 3/20/2003 11:18:32 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Donna.Hilliard@usdoor.com
To: Ben517@aol.com
Hi Ben,
Yes my dad is the Silas Brown on your register and he is still living.
I am so very happy that I received your e-mail. I have read "Battling
Buzzards, but there is so much I want to now about my dad,s unit, Hq. 3rd
battalion. I especially want any pictures of my dad; all his were
destroyed. Please put me on your mailing list. My address is: Donna
Hilliard
_____________________________________________________________________
Subj: Let Us Give Thanks
Date: 3/19/2003 7:59:29 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: BoomBoomAlicki
To: Ben517
"As war looms, I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for a president
who suffers slings and arrows for steadfastly opposing evil, while other
more sophisticated statesmen continue to appease one of the cruelest
monsters of our time. I am thankful for a man who understands, unlike his
predecessor, that leadership is lonely and that the only thing necessary for
the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
"I am thankful for the U.S. military, not for the United Nations or any
other international organization, for it is the men and women of America's
armed forces who will be the guardians of civilization as we have known it.
I am thankful for their bravery, skills and sacrifice, which betray greater
courage and character than all of the screams and sloganeering from
Hollywood's stars and protesters, who understand little, and risk even less
in demonstrating against them."
- Columnist and former Reagan speechwriter Bently Elliott