From: Ben517@aol.com
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 7:18 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 632 517TH PRCT--February 2, ,2004
Hello,
 
 
Website                                  www.517prct.org
Mail Call                                  Ben517@aol.com
Mail Call Archives                www.517prct.org/archives
Roster                                     www.517prct.org/roster.pdf


2004 West Coast Party
April 19-22, 2004
Palm Springs, CA

We have had requests for listing of past reunion location.-Ben
 
Bismarck, ND--2001                           Oklahoma City,OK- 2003
Gene Brissey
Howard, I think you are kidding us about the taking of Manhay on or about Dec. 27 and we (2nd Bn) helping to take St. Vith a year later. As I remember St. Vith was taken on Jan. 27 '45. By the way Dick Seitz has a clear picture, in written form, in the recent Thunderbolt. He lead us with great strategy through the snow forests and more snow as we charged St. Vith before veering off and going to Stavolet for four days or so of rest. Dick has left us hanging but evidently will let us hear the rest of the story in the next Thunderbolt.  As for Manhay, I think that was the most important battle in blunting the bulge and getting us started in the liberation of Belgium. Gene Brissey
Louis Walsh 111
 
>>As another descendant of the 517th I would like to help Rick Vasquez defray costs associated with making t-shirts and other items for the paratroopers going on the European trip and 2005 reunion.  Novelty items like this are a fun and inexpensive way to make memories of important events...and they can be stored in a closet or drawer to be pulled out when needed for a quick de'-ja vu...!...and for some they may hopefully be worn or used everyday just like the freedom we all enjoy due to these fine fighting men.  I might suggest, particularly for the folks going to Europe, that we might make a run of quality sweatshirts to ward off the chilly air on their trip...?  And as a 517th descendant I know I would proudly wear such a garment in memory of my Dad.  Thoughts...?...TW<<

Trooper Walsh
Son of Major General Lou Walsh Jr.
Dorothy MacKenzie
 
  Hi Ben...Just printed off the last Mail Call.  I keep them to reread at my leisure.  Had a thought...One day could you print all the names of the Presidents of the Association , and their designations, from the time this group started?  I think it would be very interesting to the members, and their children.  What do you think??           Dorothy     CAMROD, that is
President in Memoriam: Colonel Rupert Davidson Graves
Past Presidents
2002-2003 Allan Goodman
1999-2001 Merle W. McMorrow
1997-1999 J.K. Horne, Jr.
1995-1997 Fred Brown
1993-1995 Bob Dalrymple
1991-1993 Joe Miller
1989-1991 Roy Landreth
1987-1989 Tom Cross
1985-1987 Frank Grbinich
1981-1983 Clinton "Tex" Lowe
1983-1985 Charles Pugh
1979-1981 Cameron Gauthier
1977-1979 Gene Camplin
1975-1977 Erle E. Ehly
1973-1975 James Mackenzie
1970-1973 William J. Boyle

Entry of Feb 01, 2004 at 18:49 [EST]
Name: Jean Loup
Unit:
EMail: schyzowolf@yahoo.fr
How I found the 517th page: unknown
Comments: I live in southern France and have a paratrooper helmet from the 517th with the name Moles written on it. Apparently this would be the helmet of PFC MARVIN O. MOLES . If any body has any information whatsoever about this person, please inform me! I would love to hear from you. Jean Loup


Bob Barrett

RE:  The recent letter in the 517 Guestbook from Jean Loup:

Marvin D. Moles is listed in the 44 Christmas Roster as part of I Company.  Jean Loup picked up the name "PFC Marvin O. Moles".  I figure that the only way he would know that is that he found Moles listed with exactly that spelling in the Decorations page.  Moles received a Silver Star.

I will fix the spelling on the Decorations page -- It should be Marvin D. Moles.

Bob

Lory Curtis,

I’ll let my Dad know you are coming. A quick question for you that my dad asked me last night.  He was reading the Thunderbolt newspaper and someone had reported that the challenge and pass was: Challenge – Democracy, password – Roosevelt for the jump into Southern France.  My Dad remembers the password as Lafayette not Roosevelt.  My dad wanted someone to confirm it was Democracy and Lafayette.  He also said if soldiers forgot the challenge and password they were to suppose to say Billy-the-Kid.  Do you remember any of that???

Lory

Howard Hensleigh
 
Dear Ben:

The password for the airborne invasion of Southern France was a toy cricket. Everyone was issued one. I know what it was. That’s what we called it. But does that describe it in a way anyone else will understand? As I recall the sign was two clicks on the cricket. The countersign was one. We had some French paratroopers who jumped in with us. Possibly they wanted a recognition symbol without a language or an accent.  Even Chico's squad in the mortar platoon could use it.     Howard Hensleigh