Hello. Please send info and mail messages to my dad. My parents are beginning to get a little more comfortable with their computer and email. My dad is: Ed Henzl. He served in the 517 PRCT, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion.
352-686-4320
My husband, son and I attended the recent paratrooper reunion at Toccoa. My dad went with us to visit Toccoa several months ago, and seeing that nothing was there but the mountain, did not want to attend the reunion. He does plan to attend the January reunion in
Karen Henzl Reece
Karen H. Reece, Archivist
Apha Delta Pi Executive Office
404-378-3164
Next we ate lunch with the Battalion Commander, 1/507th PIR. He asked my dad which Regiment he was from. He stated “517th” The Bn Cdr was stunned because he has directed “C” Company to represent the 517th in their company. The Bn Cdr told us he has each company represent a WWII Regiment. He said he has been having trouble obtaining information about the 517th. He asked if we could help. My dad said of course. Just by chance, my dad brought books about the 517th and articles with him on this trip.
The Bn Cdr had us link up with CPT Dennis Terry, Commander of “C” Company (see photo). We gave him the 517th web site and this email address. CPT Terry took us on a tour of his barracks. He is having a display case made that covers an entire wall, approximately 20 feet wide. He is planning a dedication ceremony in March 2004. It would be great if some 517th troopers could go to that dedication. He needs information about the 517th and artifacts to put into those cases. He needs your help. He is trying to get Trooper Biddle’s uniform to put in one the cases. I am in the process of getting him photo copies of “Paratrooper Odyssey so they can read that information about the unit. But if someone knows how to get him copies of that book and others it would be wonderful. CPT Terry also wants his company to have the same motto as the 517th. On the patch it says “ATTACK” If this is not the motto someone needs to let me or CPT Terry know so they can have the right one painted above the door of the barracks. CPT Terry is also having the 517th patch painted on a wall of his barracks.
Anyone that wants to get in touch with me, CPT Terry, please phone at 706-682-1489. I will put some information on the 517th PIR web site very soon, describing the plans for the display cases and the intent. I believe that linking the paratroopers of the past with paratroopers of the future is very important. 517th PIR needs a place to call home and I want it to be where it all starts for all paratroopers, Airborne School. You will here from me soon. Thanks CPT Terry.
Now this is how you get a hold of him. Phone 706-545-6935/3006. His email is TAZ411@aol.com. Ben if there is anything you need me to do to help this process please let me know. I stand ready to make this dedication to the 517th work. Leroy Curtis
Ben, this is in response to notes from Bob and Mr. Lavalle concerning the Forts around Sospel. John Krumm, his wife my wife and I visited Fort AGAISEN in 1999. The fort is six or more levels below ground. We visited each level of this amazing structure. From the first level there are small rail tracks which were used to haul supplies to the lower levels as well as walking steps to the bottom. You need to see to believe. There are separate living quarters for officers and enlisted men, kitchens, a "hospital," in short there's everything needed for long stays. Of course guns of various kinds in special rooms with openings to the outside. I have good color photos of various rooms including one of me on hospital bed being cared for by my wife and a picture of the 517th patch which is on a lower level wall where a museum type deal is contained. Also pictures of the main entrance at the top level. I would gladly share these pictures with anyone but I have no idea how to send them by computer.
Gene Brissey
Hello Mr. Ben Barrett,
Karen Henzl Reece
Karen H. Reece, Archivist
Alpha Delta Pi Executive Office
1386 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
404-378-3164
This was forwarded to me by Naomi Herren
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL TO MAKE YOU AND I PROUD
The Third Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer has the responsibility for
providing ceremonial units and honor guards for state occasions, White
House social functions, public celebrations and interments at
ArlingtonNationalCemetery....and standing a very formal sentry watch at
the Tombs of the Unknowns. The public is familiar with the precision
of what is called. "walking post" at the Tombs. There are roped off
galleries where visitors can form to observe the troopers and their
measured step and almost mechanical silent rifle shoulder changes.
They are relieved every hour in a very formal drill that has to be
seen to believe. Some people think that when the Cemetery is closed to
the public in the evening in the evening that this show stops.
First, to the men who are dedicated to this work...it is no show...it
is a "charge of honor".The formality and precision continues
uninterrupted all night. During the nighttime, the drill of relief and
the measured step of the on duty sentry remain unchanged from the
daylight hours. To these men...these special men, the continuity of
this post is the key to the honor and respect shown to these honored
dead, symbolic of all American unaccounted for American combat dead.
The steady rhythmic step in rain, sleet, snow, hail, hot,
cold...bitter cold...uninterrupted...uninterrupted is the important
part of the honor shown.
Last night, while you were sleeping, the teeth of hurricane Isabel came
through this area and tore hell out of everything... We have thousands
of trees down...power outages...traffic signals out...roads filled with
down limbs and "gear adrift" debris...We have flooding...and the place
looks like it has been the impact area of an off shore bombardment.
The Regimental Commander of the U.S.
Third Infantry sent word to the nighttime Sentry Detail to secure the
post and seek shelter from the high winds, to ensure their personal
safety. THEY DISOBEYED THE ORDER...During winds that turned over
vehicles and turned debris into projectiles...the measured step
continued. One fellow said "I've got buddies getting shot at in Iraq
who would kick my butt if word got to them that we let them down...I'm
sure as hell have no intention of spending my Army career being known
as the goddam idiot who couldn't stand a little light breeze and
shirked his duty." ....Then he said something in response to a female
reporters question regarding silly purposeless personal risk...."I
wouldn't expect you to understand. it's an enlisted man's thing."
God Bless the rascal...In a time in our nation's history when spin and
total bullshit seems to have become the accepted coin-of-the-realm,
there beat hearts...the enlisted hearts we all knew and were so damn
proud to be a part of...that fully understand that devotion to duty is
not a part time occupation. While we slept, we were represented by
some damn fine men who fully understood their post orders and proudly
went about their assigned responsibilities unseen, unrecognized and in
the finest tradition of the American Enlisted Man. Folks, there's
hope....The gene that George S. Patton...Arliegh Burke and Jimmy
Doolittle left us...survives. Now, go have another cup to pop rivet
your eyelids I've got to go to work. DN From a subvet friend in our
nation's capital~ ...More.... Nina Swink adds..... On the ABC
evening news, it was reported tonight that, because of the dangers from
Hurricane Isabel approaching Washington DC, the military members
assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were
given permission to suspend the assignment. They refused. "No way,
Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical
storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it
was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The
tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
Addition to this e: I saw an interview on Fox News Channel with the
Commander of the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the unknown. He took
the shift when Isabel was unleashing her fury, cause he did not want to
ask any of his men to do this - he felt it was his highest honor to be
on duty during that time.
Very, very proud of our persons in uniform!!!!!!