From: Ben517@aol.com
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 4:25 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: MAIL CALL NO . 678(?) 517TH PRCT APRIL 23 , 2004
Hello
A quick Mail Call. Just arrived back to San Francisco from the Palm Springs reunion  I want to send out the latest news about Joe Miller and Jesse Darden and also so that Bill Brannan can read this when he gets home. News about the reunion later.

Ben
______________________________________________________
Joe Miller

Joe Miller is now out of the hospital after a rough session there.  He is in a rehab facility to strengthen his arms and legs and should be able to return home before too long.  It has been a long siege but he will overcome and be back at home in time to attend a Hospital Endowment dinner where he will be an honored guest for his many years of service to the Community and the Medical Field--the good Lord willing!!
_____________________________________________________
Jesse Darden


Wednesday, April 21, Hello to all.  Jesse is not
feeling up to sitting at the computer at this time.
But he asked me to print all mail calls since the last
one that he had read. So I have printed mail calls
from Wed. Apr 14 to date.  I think the last thing he
did before leaving the house for OK City & the surgery
was to read the latest mail call.  He thinks of you
all constantly.  Any one that has been to the reunions
knows what a close relationship that all troopers have
with each other, whether you were in the same unit or
not.  I can not thank you enough for all your prayers
and thought through this troubling time.  I also feel
a closeness with all troopers and their families.
Jesse is strong in spirit if not in body right now.
But i am sure we will see you all in Savanna.  He
talks about it all the time.  I want to apologize
about not putting something out sooner about how he
was doing.  I did not leave his side except for one
night.  We had wonderful care in the hospital.  It is
a new heart hospital. I had a procedure there last
year in April & they were still building it at that
time.  All of the personnel are trained to take care
of the heart. Food was good even though Jesse did not
want to eat.  We are still having a problem with that.
In the hospital he wanted a grilled cheese sandwich,
which was not on the menu, but Kristie told him she
would cook him as many as he wanted when he got home.
(Has not asked for one Yet.)  Again keep us in your
prayers. Hope Joe is doing as well as Jesse.  Until
next time.  Love, Jesse, Lou & Family
 

_______________________________________________
June Huffman


Thanks for the up dates on Jessie and  Joe.  Please let them know they
are in my prayers for a full recovery.   Glad to know that Jessie's
daughter is with them.  She was such a delight at the reunion.  I know
she will be a great help and comfort for her Mom.  Thank you for passing
this on for me.   (We have proof every day those BAPTIST prayers are
answered!! ) (:-)                  June

______________________________________________________
George Arredondo


Thanks Ben.  I recently bought the "Battling Buzzards"
by Gerald Astor.  I am already half-way through
reading it.  Thanks for the tip on this book. It has
really help paint a better mental picture of my
grandfather's experience.  I have one question.  Do
you know where I may find a list of the names of the
paratroopers of the 517th?  As a Hispanic I would like
to see if my grandfather was comrades with other
Hispanics troopers.  Perhaps you would know.  Were
there any presence of Hispanic paratroopers in the
517th?  Thank you.

George Arredondo Jr.
______________________________________________________
Randy  Coleman


Ben-  My father is Randolph Coleman of F Co. I have just finished reading Battling Buzzards and have become a "Sponge" to learn more of the the incredible 517 and their experiences. It is still hard for me to comprehend that after so many years, I'm just now finding out that my father was part of an elite and unique band of true heroes.  Please include me in your mail call. Thanks-  Randy Coleman