______________________________________________________
General Richard Seitz

Ben, this for Jesse Darden.    My thoughts are with you during this time
of your serious operation.  All good wishes for a quick recovery.
Airborne all the way.  Dick Seitz.
______________________________________________________
Darrell Egner

Dear Lou & Jesse:
 
I was on my computer for hours today and I don't know what prompted me to come up and turn it on at almost 11 PM.  I read mail call and received the alarming news about Jesse.
 
Pleas know I and all the 517 will be praying for Jesse's quick recovery.  If there is any thing I can do please let me know.
 
Love,
 
Darrell Egner
Hq. 2nd Bn.
______________________________________________________
Joseph Martel
I don't understand all this talk of what we earned. I seem to remember
very clearly that all of us knew exactly what we were getting. At least
us buck privates. We got $50 for buck private, $50 jump pay, $10 overseas
pay and $10 for the Combat pay. The only deduction we had was for the
insurance. less than $7. Wasn't it all the same for everyone?
Joseph Martel, E Company
______________________________________________________________________
Chris Liddell
Subj: A REALLY GR8 Quote for "mail call" 


       Good morning Mr. Barrett.
       I assume that you are probably getting ready to leave for California or either you are on your way.  If you get this before you leave, then "Godspeed" to ya.  (Have a safe and prosperous journey.. :-))
       I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I've been keeping a "Chris' Book of Wise and Cool Quotes" (I came up with the title when I was in my teens.. :-)) for quite a few years.  This quote has always been one of my favorites and it can come in handy in MANY different circumstances. (ie; I keep it in the back of my mind when business slows down) Also, the main reason that I thought to pass this on to you and the other veterans from the 517th,  this is the first thing that always comes to my mind when I think of the battles that you guys fought, along with the rest of the United States Veterans, Also, it's these same words that I always think of when I turn on the TV and, on CNN, the liberal "Bush Bashers" start kicking our president for choosing to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences, by fighting the "War on Terror".  As you can tell, this quote can be an inspiration in MANY completely different circumstances.  Also, the author of the quote, has always been a true role model to me, Not only as one of the greatest presidents in history, but also as a great outdoorsman, (a hunter as well as a man who respected the game that he hunted as well as the outdoors in which he hunted them in.)  although he wasn't around even close to my generation, but, the role models that we had to choose from were not exactly a "long list of people and the list even fell shorter in category of quality.":-)  (with the exception of "Stormin' Norman", one of the few choices of good role models from my generation- I graduated from H.S. in '91, right after the Gulf War ended)  It's really sad that today's youth look towards people like Rosie O'donnel (sp?) and Bill Clinton (one of the biggest disgraces that this country has ever had) as role models.  Using another wise quote that came from the character played by Jack Nicholson in Batman 1, "This town needs an enema." :-)  JK
Anyway, I thought you might like to add this quote to a "mail call" if you like it as much as I do. 

         "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
                                                     ~Teddy Roosevelt

      Have a great trip to your daughter's.
      Your friend,
      Chris Liddell
      (an official, card carrying member of the "517th Grandsons" :-))
______________________________________________________
Jim Royer


Ben, I received mail call #670, and was able to read the e-mail from
Eric Renox from LeMuy, but none of the others. I am trying to get a
reply from my MSN Service Center. Will keep you informed.
  Jus a little side note: I have been appointed Assistant Chaplain of
the Kelly-Timonium American Legion Post #l74, of which I have been a
member for 5l years.
   Keep in touch.              
                                   Jim Royer, Hq3rd
______________________________________________________________________
Subj: 517th Memorial 
Date: 04/14/2004 8:18:04 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From: raymond.draper@us.army.mil
To: mailcall@517prct.org

To all concerned; My name is SSG Andrew Wilson and I am currently stationed with C Co. 1/507th PIR at Ft. Benning, Ga.  Our former company commander, CPT Dennis Terry, has given me and SSG James Holliday the honor of designing and constructing a series of memorial display cases to be used as a home for the Battling Buzzards of the 517th PRCT.            

This is an amazing honor for both of us.  We feel an obligation to the men of the 517th to give them a place where their accomplishments and sacrifices can be told, and their stories of valor can become ingrained in the hearts and minds of all who pass into the hallowed ranks of United States Paratroopers.  We are putting these cases in their own area of C Co. where they will be seen by the approximately 5000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that are trained in this company alone yearly.            

We ask only that if any of you have memorabilia that you would be willing to donate to this project, please feel free to contact us at: WilsonAS@benning.army.mil .  Any items that we are unable to place in these cases will be displayed in the Airborne Museum located at the base of the Controlled Descent Training Tower here at the U.S. Army Airborne School.  If you do not wish to have your extra items displayed there, we will gladly send them back to you.            

The history of the U.S. Paratrooper is one of great achievements and great sacrifice, this is due to the fact that uncommon valor was common among men of your caliber. The paratroopers of today are better trained because of the lessons learned and the experiences you faced.  We in the Airborne community owe you a debt of gratitude.  "HUNTERS FROM THE SKY" 

Respectfully, SSG Andrew S. WilsonC Co. 1/507th (ABN)Ft. Benning, Ga.(706) 545-3116