The West Coast Reunion will be at Palm Springs, Ca. April 19-22 ,2004 Contact Bill Christian 714 838 0613. Will have full details on the website and in later Mail Calls.

SEASON'S GREETINGS

Mail Call Ben517@aol.com

You are an inspiration. You have caught the spirit of the Season, then and now. I can remember the troopers singing, "I’ll be home for Christmas, like a......." Those who were there can finish it. We were going about our grim business with resolve. It helped to have a little grim, Mauldin type humor thrown in. In defense of the lyric writer, the song does end, "if only in my dreams." We had dreams of being home with family and friends for the joyous Christmas Season. I doubt if many of us thought we would enjoy this many Christmases. I know none of us dreamed of being able to share a Christmas with our fellow troupers in something like Mail Call. We join all those who thank Ben and Bob for this opportunity.

MERRY CHRISTMAS. To all of you from Jan and me. Howard Hensleigh

____________________________________________________________

Bob Christie

__-The Thunderbolt has finally made it to the Printer.I didn't get everything in that I wanted,however I have plenty of material for the next issue in March. Chris,I never did see the picture with your husband Rick. I hope that was your grandson in a couple of pictures. "A" Company made it and Hq.2nd is well represented.I have most of what I wanted to include. We have 40 pages,however the print is a little larger than before. I'm hoping we can get some of the other units involved. Sorry I'm late, but will do better next time.I hope it meets with your approval. Airborne all the Way, Bob

____________________________________________________________

Chris Lindner

Hi Ben and all of the 517^th Members:

I want to tell everyone in the 517^th Family to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR.

Ben I received this forward today and I am not sure you have room to put it in “Mail Call” but it does prove the difference the way people and actors were much more patriotic when WWII was going on. In addition to all the hoers of the 517^th PRCT many of the actors joined the military unlike the actors of today speaking out against our troops being at war. I think many of the actor and actress should just keep there mouths shut because they are no on special that we need to listen to.

Scroll all the way down this, I thought it was interesting.

also; HAPPY NEW YEAR

Chris Lindner

Nate Rubenstein’s Daughter

____________________________________________________________

___-EVERYONE; I HAVE CHANGED MY E-MAIL ADDRESS. CAN'T STAND ALL THAT
SPAM. HERE IT IS;

BUNTY@KOALAS.COM

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

_________________________________________________________________

Dorothy Mackenzie

Hi Ben........Just wish to add my Best Wishes to all the 517 Family for a healthy and happy new year. What would we do without you? I can't imagime!!! Do you have any idea where I can buy a copy of "The Paratroopers Odyssey?" It will be a gift to Pat, Jim's son and grandson, Shane. Thanks.....Dorothy

___________________________________________________________________________________

Bob Christie
Just received a message from John Allen,after I sort of complained to him about the elevator. I told him I was between a rock and a hard place because I was afraid the lower hospitality room would be too small for us, but we had people who had trouble climbing stairs to get to the "upper room". He said that our whole area where our rooms are has been remodeled and redecorated and the elevator has been rebuilt. So far we have 27 going to Medieval Times. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night, and may your landings be soft. Bob

_________________________________________________________________

Entry of Dec 23, 2003 at 16:09 [EST]
Name: Diane Haverin
Unit: My dad was 517th B Company
EMail: dhaverin@yahoo.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: Dear Mr. Barrett (Ben and Bob), I had visited w/ you back in July. I want to again thank you for putting me on the right track in recovering info

on my Dad, William M. Branch. Our State Senator is trying to help with the medal replacement and I have purchased "Battling Buzzards" as well as "Paratroopers Odyssey". I want to wish you two as well as all the 517th friends and family a wonderful holiday season. Sincerely, Diane Haverin

Richard Barsamian

Dear Ben,

Merry Christmas, God Bless you and all of the 517. I was in Co "I" 3rd
Plt. 3rd Battalion. One of these days before I pass on I'll tell you more
about me. I was in the 517 from the begining and to the end. ( Mar. 26,1043
thru Nov. 2. 1945 ) I'm begining to come out of my shell now.
   I was a T-5 when I got discharged.

My Name is Richard N, Barsamian. My OLD Email was ( acis@att.net )   My
NEW Email is
acis4@hotmail.com   Please make the proper changes so I will contiue
to get the 517 Email.

Once a Trooper, Always a Trooper.

   Dick

_________________________________________________________________

Joe Spencer

To you, Ben, and to all the "Young men" of the 517,
my very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and
a very healthy and peaceful '04.
Joe Spencer 460th HQ