Website www.517prct.org

Mail Call Ben517@aol.com

Mail Call Archives www.517prct.org/archives

Roster www.517prct.org/roster.pdf

John Alicki
                                              Memorial Day

                                   A day of tender memory,
                                      A day of sacred hours,
                                   Of little bands of marching men,
                                      Of drums and flags and flowers.

                                   A day when a great nation halts
                                      Its mighty, throbbing pace,
                                   It pays its need of gratitude
                                      And love with willing grace.

                                   A day when battles are retold,
                                      And eulogies said,
                                   When dirges sound, and chaplains read
                                      The office for the dead.

                                   A day fairest, sweetest blooms
                                       Are laid upon each grave,
                                   And wreaths are hung on monuments,
                                       And banners, half-mast, wave.

                                   A day to keep from year to year
                                       In memory of the dead;
                                   Let music sound, and flowers be laid
                                       Upon each resting-bed.
                                                                                     Emma A. Lent

Andrew Wilson

We  are hoping to gather any photos, memorabilia, or support of any kind from the veterans or family members of the 517^th for a series of display cases to be erected at the US ARMY AIRBORNE SCHOOL, at Ft Benning, GA. Please contact us at WilsonAS@benning.army.mil . Thank you,

SSG Andrew S. Wilson

Claire Giblin

Hi, Ben -

Well, I just saw this message from SSG Draper and SSG Holliday, at least for the third time, requesting 517 memorabilia, so I called and spoke with SSG Holliday on the spur of the moment. He is very nice and told me he's received ONE book from a former trooper, and that's it. We should really, for now, not pay any attention to that sentence he puts in about "items not being used can be returned." He's not anywhere near that right now. Picture a display case for the 517 with only one book in it.

Gentlemen, I implore you to send these gentlemen some of your unit's history. These good men are practically begging you. When I take my children to Fort Benning, I'd like to point to a case and remind the kids that this is their grandfather's unit. Here are the pictures of the men they have met at reunions.

Are there any photos, pins, uniforms, correspondence - anything that can be sent? Copies of anything? This could be a great place to send pictures where the troopers can't be identified anymore. I intend to hound my father personally, but consider this a long-distance plea to help out SSGs Draper and Holliday with the Benning exhibit. From what I read here and there, this association nearly met its demise once. Please do this today or tomorrow to preserve your unit's history. Any mailing materials you might need are right at the post office - boxes, envelopes, tape, whatever. Just take your stuff, the address

517 Memorial

c/o SSG James Holliday

C. Co. 1/507th PIR

Ft. Benning, GA 31905

and go.

Thank you, on behalf of the second and third generations.

Claire Johnson Giblin

Daughter of Allan Johnson, 596

Judith Eugene

Thanks to Mr. Hensleigh for his story - its good to be able to put together the pieces. I only wish I would have listened better (and taken notes) while my Dad was still alive. But heck, I though for sure he'd live forever. A good lesson to appreciate the short time we have with people, and not take it for granted, I guess. Your story is similar to one Ive heard from others my Dad served with. Thanks for your version.

Thanks also to Mr. McAvoy and Mr. Frantel for talking to me by phone last week and relating their stories and memories. I received a list of names and numbers of other men in the unit from Mr. Frantel. Will be calling them this week. I also sure appreciated the email from Sarge - gosh its great to hear from all of you.

Will be thinking of you all this weekend at the WWII memorial dedication. Hats off to you.

Walter Smith

Since I do not have Lory's email address handy, I'll just write thru Ben Barrett's MAILCALL. I wholeheartedly agree as to Wild Bill Boyle's status as an 'up front commander'. Shortly after Col. Boyle's getting severely wounded, I was in the building where I was stationed with a radio and into which Bob Steele brought Colonel Boyle and Boyle seemed in severe pain. Bob Steele was keeping up chiding his injured charge in a supporting manner and not derisively, just trying to get Col. Boyle's mind off his pain. My memory is not clear as to whether the location was a company Hq. or Bn. HQ.
       When, in 1984, we were in France with the 517th trip, we had a stop at Chateau Roseline where we had a champagne welcoming by the thankful French. In the course of the evening, I had some conversation with Col. Boyle and asked if he knew where Bob Steele was at that time. Col. Boyle's answer at that time was that he had tried to locate him to no avail. He further said, "I owe my life to that man." No, we do not forget those 'Brothers' who give their all!
       Now Lory, if you haven't been to the Roster of 517ers and friends where on page 8 of the Roster is Don Fraser who's address is :
Don Fraser, 15936 Zera Ct., Oak Forest, IL 60452. Phone 708 687-8437.
There you have it, Lory. Walter W. Smith.

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

Don Fraser is now living in Florida. He can be reached by contacting his grandson, Jay Littlefield at sirjj2001@hotmail.com -Ben