Hello,
I had a problem sending out this Mail Call.Lost it when completed and now can't find it all. Lost mail and instant messages from Don Sliker dated 7/28.
One more time with abbreviated copy.
Ben
Website---www.517prct.org
Mail Call------Ben517@aol.com
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Subj: Airborne Heritage Day!
Date: 8/1/2003 1:44:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: ptremblay@asomf.org
To: Ben517@aol.com
Join us on August 16 at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum as we celebrate Army airborne! The day will begin with a freefall parachute demonstration at 9:30am, and will include displays and demonstrations of Army and Air Force airborne and special operations equipment and vehicles. Thousands are expected to attend, the largest annual airborne celebration in the world!
Lieutenant General Dan McNeill, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Ft. Bragg, will speak, and will present the ASOM with the Joint Combined Task Force 180 flag that flew over his headquarters during his time in Afghanistan.
August 16, 2003 marks the 63rd anniversary of the first US Army parachute jump (the Parachute Test Platoon, Ft. Benning, GA), and the third anniversary of the ASOM.
Sponsored by the XVIII Airborne Corps & Ft. Bragg, US Army Special Operations Command and Pope Air Force Base.
For more information visit the museum's website at www.asomf.org
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Entry of Aug 01, 2003 at 10:02 [EST]
Name: JOE PETTIT
Unit: 92nd NCB
EMail: jpettit@kncinc.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: MY NIECE & I ARE LOOKING FOR INFO REGARDING MY BRO-IN LAW: SGT BERNARD DONOHUE; 517th PBTN; WOUNDED SICILY(1943), AND SO.FRANCE(1944). HE AND OTHER TROOPERS WERE CAPTURED BY THE GERMANS; HE WAS WOUNDED IN LEG BY SEMI-AUTO FIRE. THEY WERE TAKEN TO A FRENCH FARMHOUSE AND WHILE HELD THERE, A GERMAN SOLDIER PUT THE MUZZLE OF HIS RIFLE TO SGT DONOHUE'S HEAD, AND WAS ABOUT TO EXECUTE HIM, WHEN A GERMAN OFFICER ENTERED AND ORDERED THE SOLDIER TO STOP. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, SGT DONOHUE AND HIS BUDDIES WERE RESCUED WHEN MEMBERS OF A 517th PLATOON COUNTERATTACKED. SGT DONOHUE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FLOWN TO ENGLAND FOR SURGERY, AND THEN SENT BACK TO THE "STATES" THANK YOU ! JOE PETTIT
[Note: Bernard Donahue was with H Co. - BB]
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Subj: Re: Don Silker
Date: 8/3/2003 12:39:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Ge517ne
Hi Ben,
These mean machines that we call computers can give us trouble, misspell words and screw us up in many ways. Spelling may be a problem here. I knew a Donald Sliker in E Company although I did not know him well and would be unable to furnish info about him. So good buddy take it from here. If Sliker is the name, we will have to tell the relatives that we can't furnish info at this time. Sorry!
Regards,
Gene
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Subj: Re: Thank you
Date: 8/4/2003 2:06:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: dhaverin@yahoo.com
Mr. Barrett,
Again, I want to thank you for the 517th patch. It is
wonderful. I have a few questions that maybe you
would know the answers to. I see on the casualty
report that Mr. Archer was in my dads company and they
were wounded the same day. Was Mr. Archer able to
return to duty? I just didn't know if my might
remember my father. I was trying to get a copy of his
book, but I can only find one for $125.00 and I just
can't afford it right now. I have been reading the
story on the web page and love it. I actually
remember my dad making reference to the "lion" mascot
that is mentioned. I wish I had started this quest
sooner, but only have some time now since I became an
empty-nester. As a matter of fact, My youngest
daughter (age 22) is married to a young man in the
U.S. Army. He is a Sgt. He was stationed at Ft. Hood
but was transferred to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.
Anyway, I don't want to bore you but would love as
much info as you have. Please let me know if I am a
nuisance. Sincerely, Diane
*********88
Diane's father was William Branch B company. He was WIA the first day of combat for the 517. He lost an arm and part of a lung.Has anyone more information?-Ben
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Subj: Don Sliker
Date: 8/4/2003 3:49:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Ge517ne
Hi Ben,
I received a note from Don Sliker Jr. though at the time I did not know who it was from since he mentioned no name nor other necessary info. I mailed him and got the scoop. I did know Sliker and in fact have a picture of him among the men from Toccoa to Germany E. Co. Guys that is.
Gene
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Subj: Re: Battling Buzzards
Date: 8/4/2003 3:36:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: dhaverin@yahoo.com
Ben,
You must be reading my mind. Just ordered Battling
Buzzards today. I don't think my dad was there long
enough to get to know too many. He was 19 yrs. old,
went over on the Santa Rosa and obviously wounded
after just a few days. Since he lost an arm, he
couldn't return to duty but stayed involved with the
guard at Camp Mabry here in Austin for years. Thank
you