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-"TOP SECRET"

This is the message that was read to each man before he jumped in Southern France, 15 August 1944.

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Subj: Greetings 
Date: 8/12/2003 10:40:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: BoomBoomAlicki
To: Ben517

Greetings Ole Trooper!  Hope all is well with you. Just a short note to let you know that will always be grateful to you and your Web Master son Bob for undertaking and dedicating much time in creating the best Website for the purpose of keeping us old troopers and others informed.  And a result of your dedicated contribution we members of the 517th remain grouped together as a family.
   I understand that the "Parachute Odyssey" is being added into the site.  If  so, can I subsitute a more current Biographical Information in place of the one in the "Odyssey."
   Also,  I have some material that could be entered into our 517 Website such as a interesting letter from Al Dearing our Intelligence Officer to LaChaussee dated 6/16/86 etc....If interested let me know.
    "Saepe expertus , semper fidelis, fratres aeterni"
     "Often tested, alway faithful, brothers forever."
Boom Boom
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Subj: Re: Greetings 
Date: 8/13/2003 9:09:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: PRCT517
To: BoomBoomAlicki
CC: Ben517

Boom Boom,

Yes, I am slowly adding the Paratroopers Odyssey onto the web site, although it will take a while and I have a lot of other material from people that I still need to add first. 

But, yes, please give us other stuff that you find relevant or interesting.  I can do the Odyssey anytime, it is all the other stuff that people have not seen.

Thanks,

Bob Barrett

webmaster@517prct.org
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Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 524 517TH PRCT 
Date: 8/13/2003 10:59:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: artann3447@juno.com
___
Hey Ben,  Well, I guess it is my turn to get something done to my legs,
extream pain in legs due to circulation problems, Keeps me awake at nite,
(but don't hurt to much when walking) during the day, I have an appt (out
patience) this friday ,morning in the hospital,  I have had both knees
replaced, and had some silly idea I was done with the leg problems, but
as with the knees The pain drives you to the hospital. Tom McAvoy
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Subj: Picture at Toccoa 
Date: 8/14/2003 1:07:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Ge517ne

Hi Ben,
Don Sliker said that he ask that you to send a picture to me. It arrived. Thank you. It was the picture of the big guy that he wanted to know about. This was Glenn Patterson of E. Company, a member of the barracks to which I was assigned. I don't know what happened to him. I have written to Don with all the stuff that I knew about the man. I know that you will keep up the good word in helping others and keeping us informed about many things. THANKS!
Gene
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Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 524 517TH PRCT 
Date: 8/14/2003 3:44:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: hhensleigh@earthlink.net
To: Ben517@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)



Dear Ben:We can’t let the 15th go by without celebrating all it means to the Combat Team. On that day in 1944 we jumped into combat and didn’t leave until we had liberated all of that picturesque Southern France landscape with its quaint villages, its interesting cities such as Nice and its helpful people. Every time on patrol I needed to know the lay of the land or what was going on with the enemy, a French farmer of villager appeared to give us vital information. Again the next year when we were in the middle of the Atlantic headed for the invasion of Japan via the States, we got the news that that blood bath wasn’t necessary. They had dropped a couple of bombs and the Emperor had thrown in the towel. Those wise second guessers (like Peter Jennings) who say Harry Truman should not have done that should talk to one of us, or one of the marines who survived the Okinawa onslaught.  Then there were several reunions to celebrate those events. There will be another chance to honor this day in 2004 in Savannah. We will se you there.  Just a personal note for those who might have an interest. Jan and I were married on August 15th 1948, and I we will be celebrating a successful skin graft on out anniversary this year. Jan’s mother was born on August 15th a few years earlier. Besides being the Day of Assumption, it is quite a day.  God bless all you guys and dolls, Howard H.