Hello,
 
Mail Call No. 589 Had mail from Dorothy Mackenzie about the passing of John Lissner.  The following mail was received soon after Mail Call was sent out.
 
Ben
 
Website                     www.517prct.org
 
Mail Call                    Ben517@aol.com
 
Roster                       www.517prct.org/roster.pdf
 
Gail Walsh Tayler
 
Dear Ben ---

Mary Ann Turner, John's daughter, called to say that John passed away in
his sleep.  We've lost a great warrior.

Funeral arrangements not complete, but will be at Arlington.

Best,

Gail Walsh Tayler
Richard Seitz
 
I have just received word from Tom Cross and Matt Lissner that John
Lissner, F company commander passed away at 5 AM today after along
illness in the hospital in Chesapeake, Virginia.  John was one of the
original members of the 517th having joined the regiment at Toccoa.  John
personified the type of troopers we had n our great regiment: strong, hearty,
full of vigor, courage and a great American.  Our heartfelt sympathy goes
out to John's children.
Patrica Seitz
 
Dear Ben:
    My Dad called me just as I was reading Dorothy MacKenzie's Mail Call note about Uncle John Lissner's death this morning.  To say that this is very sad news for the Dick Seitz family is an understatement. 
    Uncle John and Dad were such good friends.  Dad had such respect for Uncle John's devotion to God and caring about others that he asked Uncle John to be my godfather.  I cannot begin to tell you what a gift this was.  Uncle John has been a faithful, spiritual force in my life since the days he slept beneath my crib to protect me up through my becoming a federal judge.  In short, he has been a role model making sure I stayed on the right path for 57 years.  
    He was a man who was committed to God, country, family, friends and this goddaughter.  I know I am only one of many that he shepherd over the years, but he always made me, like he did so many others, know that we were uppermost in his mind.  He was an extraordinary human being, an outstanding American, a wonderful father, an Irish imp, and the best godfather possible.  I will miss hearing his voice over the phone, but know that he will always be with me especially through the memories that everyone has of the very special, one-and-only John Lissner.  
    We are so blessed to have had him in our lives, but at least we can now be assured that Uncle John will not get Dad into any more trouble or fights defending the honor of the 517th specifically, and Airborne troops, generally!
Sincerely,
Patricia Seitz
Dick Seitz's daughter
Randolph Coleman
 
Ben; I guess we are not really ready for some news, even though we feel it is inevitable. I talked to John Lissner just a few weeks ago and hung up the phone feeling his situation may not be as bad as I think I knew it was. Wishful thinking. I am so sorry to hear this news  and my prayers will continue for Mary Ann and his family. For 60 years I have known and remembered him with great respect and affection. Both in and out of the service he has effected many young lives and I will always remember  him as one of the positives in my life. With sorrow, Randolph Coleman
Wayne Cross
 
Ben, my father called to tell me about Col. Lissner's passing. It was very sad to hear the news.  By any measure Col. Lissner lived a very good life.  As impressive as his military service record was I was always touched by the way he continued to volunteer and help others throughout his life. He had such a joy for life and living and cared so deeply about others.  I know his family is very proud of him as I am sure you and the other members of the 517th are who had the pleasure of serving with such a good man.  Please pass along my most sincere sympathy to his family.   We should all hope to live as good, exciting and honest a life as John.
Tom Cross
 
BEN{    
       THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AM GLAD WE ARE BACK IN TOUCH.
HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH JOHN LISSNER'S SON MATT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I SPOKE TO YOU.
       JOHN WILL BE CREMATED AND BURIED IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY,
DATE AND TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER. MATT LISSNER WAS TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH DAVE GRANGE BUT HAVING DIFFICULTY BECAUSE OF DAVE'S NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER NOT KNOWN.
       MY SON WAYNE HAS OFFERED ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MATT'S FAMILY IF THEY ARE NEEDED. BOTH OF MY SONS WILL REPRESENT CROSS FAMILY AT ARLINGTON AND WHERE NEEDED. THEY KNEW JOHN AS A FAMILY FRIEND. IT IS INTERESTING AND NICE TO KNOW THAT WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS WE ALL CLOSE RANKS AND BECOME AIRBORNE BROTHERS AGAIN. IT TELLS YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE 517TH AND HOW CLOSE WE ARE. A TRUE BAND OF BROTHERS AND THIS IS NO B.S.
REGARDS, TOMX
Ray and Polly Hess
 

GOOD MORNING BEN! I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF JOHN LISSNER' S DEATH.  I SEND  MY WIFE'S AND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY. I WAS A SGT. IN "F" CO., AND I COULDN'T BEGIN TO RELATE SOME OF JOHN'S GOOD DEEDS. THE 517th FAMILY WILL TRULY MISS JOHN. TIL WE MEET AGAIN  SOMEWHERE JOHN, REST EASY. BEST REGARDS TO HIS FAMILY POLLY & RAY HESS
John Alicki
 
forwarded from another vet .... to all vets!
 
Absolutely .... BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
 
Check it out ................. WATCH WHAT THE "FISH" DO AT THE END OF THE "SHOW" !!!!
 
...... turn up the sound!!!
 
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1483260750
Several others have sent this to me while I was away-Ben
Bob Barrett
 
FYI.  I was recently contacted about a new website for the 505 RCT.  We have
exchanged links on our sites.

Note that they have already set up a "MailCall" list.  Wonder where they got
that idea.

Bob B.

-----Original Message-----
From: Wheatley Christensen [mailto:Mailcall505@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 11:42 AM
To: webmaster@517prct.org
Cc: gcompany505@comcast.net
Subject: FW: Websites
 
A good friend of the 517th and an honorary member is Col. Bob Piper 505-Ben
Entry of Nov 18, 2003 at 20:33 [EST]
Name: douglas vendola
Unit: first cav
EMail: vendolav@aol.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: Hello.  My dad Frank Vendola was a member of the 517.  He passed away this Feb. He was still a paratrooper at heart. stayed strong to the end.
Entry of Nov 30, 2003 at 22:03 [EST]
Name: Grandson of Wayne Hibben, Thomas Hibben
Unit: Bco 2-8 INF, Bco& HHC 1-6 INF
EMail: t_hibben@hotmail.com
How I found the 517th page: Heard from a member of the 517th
Comments: I am looking for any information on my Grandfather. He was in F co. 517. Due to his death in Feb of 2000 his records are unknown all with his awards he has earned. My family and I are trying to put together a display for him. We would appreciate any assistance anyone would have. THANKS