Last night I talked to Virginia Terrill. John Terrill passed away yesterday morning. He was a F Co trooper. He has been ill for over 2 years but he is now with his God. Final arrangements are not complete.

I will inform you when I hear more-Please put this in Mailcall.

Marie Rommel for Walter Rommel-F Co

Matthew Braud

Ben,

Thank you very much, and thank you for the letter you sent as well.

-Matthew

************

Cecil, Bob and Andrew- Can you help Matthew find information about his father who served with us in "H" Company? -Ben

Bill Elliot

Ben Please note my new e-mail address is trimble@snip.net
   WILLIAM Elliott B company

Chris Liddell

Dear Mr. Barrett,
      I just wanted to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for posting my message to Mr. Gene Frice in my show of respect and my sadness for the passing of his wife, and also for the very kind words that you at the beginning of the "mail call". Also, for being such a great friend over the last several years and helping me look for information on my grandfather. I truly value our friendship more than you will know and I regard it as an honor to be able to call myself your friend, as well as the honor of the other members of the 517th considering me as, sort of a "grandson of the 517th". Of course, I have also met some really great, brave men (the bravery means even more since you guys were, in actuality, only kids back then) through the 517th & also because you have always treated me with such respect, even though the respect should be given to you and your fellow brothers. (soldiers) You guys are the true heroes along with my grandfathers. My contribution to this country, as just a regular small business owner, is so insignificant compared to the mind numbing, bloody, terrifying, exhausting, heated combat that you guys had to go through in ww2, giving the rest of us the biggest gift that could ever be given, freedom. I have never taken my freedom lightly, although, I didn't give it the due attn. That it deserves, before you and I began looking for information on my grandfather which resulted in meeting many other veterans, hearing their stories from the war, and, reading documents and books from world war 11 and the 517th / 82nd parachute infantry/ the battle of the bulge / and the attack on pearl harbor as well as the attack from the Ardennes forest resulting in the battle of the bulge where my grandfather fought along with his brothers (many of you). Unfortunately, so many Americans take their freedom for granted and I hope that the (spineless) attack on our mainland soil on September the 11th opened some eyes. After 9-11, I talked it over with my wife, and, after a few days of doing a whole lot of thinking and praying, I decided to visit the recruiter's office and try to convince them to allow me to join either the "82nd airborne" or the ground infantry and my wife was going to quit her job and run my business. Guaranteed infantry was my only "demand" in joining. Although this really worried my wife because we spend so much time together as best friends and a couple that loves each other more now, after 11+ years, than we did in the beginning of our marriage, she still knew that this was something that was very important to me and she knows how much I love my country. Anyway, the army recruiter unfortunately turned me away since I’m 31, 20 #. Heavier than the "ideal weight" (which would require a dang anorexic) , and i have mitral valve prolapse and a history of anxiety attacks (caused by an imbalance of a brain fluid called ceritonin). I really wanted to fight for my country and, dead or alive, (preferably the latter) know that I’ve participated in a mission of freedom for countries that are ruled by an iron fist and terror, and, most important, putting all of my cards on the table to protect our county from some evil and ruthless leaders, giving me the opportunity to pay you guys back by protecting you for a change. Although I wanted to join the marines in '91, I (regretfully) made the choice to go with advice that I received. (from people who had negative experiences in the military - there's only certain types of people who are actually like the order, the clean lifestyle, (in today's military), the growing experience, the discipline, the physical benefits, the debt paid back to our veterans and the honor. (I’m one of those people and I’ve always been very attracted to that way of life. I guess that type of feelings skip a generation but I have always wanted to be a soldier or a police officer.)
      I guess I better get back to work.
      Thanks again Mr. Barrett. That 'mail call' really meant a lot to me.
   Your friend,
   Chris Liddell