From: Ben517@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2004 1:14 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: MAIL CALL NO . 659 517TH PRCT--MARCH 18, 2004
Hello,
 
Our deepest sympathy to Gene Frice and his family.
 
Ben
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
Gene Frice
 
Dear 517 troopers and so many friends,
     I am sorry to report that Margaret completed her journey to a better world at 9:15 AM, on Saint Patrick's Day. We had four of our five children and a number of grandchildren with her when she died. She passed in her sleep after a life of commitment as a loving companion to so many children from many families, and to many in law enforcement and the military.
     We Frice's wish to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers for "Maggie." Our last family comments were, "See ya later alligator," and her response "after a while crocodile."
     Our love to you all.
          Gene Frice and family
            
________________________________________________________________
Ray Hess
 
GENE & FAMILY:POLLY & MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU> BEST REGARDS TO ALL OF YOU. RAY HESS
 
Darrell Egner
Ben
 
I don't have an E-mail address for Gene Frice but this will do.
 
Gene, I am so sorry to hear about Margaret.  I am sure the entire 517 will be praying for her including myself.  We are over 3000 miles apart but if there is anything I can do please let me know.
 
Darrell Egner
Hq 2nd Bn
Bill Boyle,
 
Of course, i will pray. I am sure others will too.                    
                                                                  Bill Boyle
Randolph Coleman
 
Hello Ben.. I am sending this through you as my address for Gene Frice is in California, and he refers to his home in Oregon. Re: your mail of the 17th, I want Gene and his family to know he has an old F Co. friend who is praying for his wife and family. Bless you all out there in Oregon. Randolph Coleman 
Richard Seitz
 
Gene, Giny and I were so sorry to learn of your wonderful Margaret's
condition.  Margaret has always occupied a special place in our hearts
and memories.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you during time of
great sorrow. Glod bless you.  Ginny and Dick Seitz.
Entry of Mar 14, 2004 at 17:10 [EST]
Name: terry birder casey
Unit: n/a
EMail: casey@ties2.net
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: I was searching Google using my brother's name, James Patrick Birder. He served with the 517th during WWII. The first google hit sent me to a picture of him. I would appreciate an email from anyone who may have information regarding him. I'd also appreciate an email from whoever is in possession of the photo of him on this website because I am wondering if you knew Jim.
Terry Birder Casey
 
>Ben,
I want to thank you so much for the information you have sent. I have been buried
in it for all of two days now, especially the Paratrooper Odyssey. I was only 9 when
Jim was killed and so had very little knowledge of any of the war stuff surrounding
his life. I am deeply indebted to you and appreciate your kind invitation to write if I
have any further questions. You and your son are to be congratulated on the
tremendous work you have done and are still doing in keeping the 517th alive in
the minds of all of us who had loved ones make the ultimate sacrifice so that we
may continue to live and make for peace in our world. I have a few photos and
clippings Jim sent my parents in a trunk in our basement. If you think any of this
would help you in collecting information, please just let me know and I shall
rummage through his footlocker which was sent home. Thank
you again.
Terry Birder Casey
casey@ties2.net
Mike Kane Jr
 
Hi Ben.

Hate to bother you but I changed ISP's and switched to cable access.   My new email address is

mjkanejd@comcast.net

I enjoy each of the mail call's very much.

Thanks,
Mike Kane Jr.
 
Hi Ben.

Its St. Patrick's Day and I saw the list of Irish Surnames represented in the 517th PRCT that Clark Archer assembled.  If you'll indulge me a bit, I thought I would follow that up with a note that my dad, Mike Kane, was still a citizen of Ireland during his time with the combat team.  I don't know but perhaps he was the only one with that claim in the Combat Team. 

He was born in County Mayo, Ireland and came to the US when he was nine years old with his mother and sister. His father had died when he was 2.  He always joked that he wondered if the German who wounded him in the Bulge knew that he was aiming at a citizen of a neutral country.  Though he was not eligible for the draft because Ireland was a officially neutral during the war (though many Irish Nationals served in the US and British Armies), he was grateful for all that America had given to him and proud to volunteer to serve in the US Army and especially the paratroopers.  He became an American citizen in 1946. 

I had the honor of seeing him sworn in as a citizen again in 1969 when he applied for a US passport and the State Department couldn't locate his naturalization papers. 

Mike Kane, Jr.