From: Ben517@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2004 6:49 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 701 517TH PRCT.--MAY 29,2004
Hello,
We have added to "Recollections" on the website stories sent to us by Lory Curtis about Col. Boyle and Major Fraser .
 
Ben
Website                      www.517prct.org
Mail Call                     Ben517@aol.com
Mail Call Archives   www.517prct.org/archives
Roster                        www.517prct.org/roster.pdf

 
_____________________________________________________________
Hi Ben:

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE 517TH PRCT AND ALSO ANYONE THAT HAS SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES!

This is a special weekend dedicated to all of you that have served for the United States and it is a well deserving Holiday.  

I would like to tell you all THANK YOU for sharing your memories with me and so many other people.  This has been a wonderful feeling for me to be a part of such a remarkable group of people as the 517th Family has become to me.

Chris Lindner

Nate Rubentein’s daughter


Merle McMorrow
 
Dear Ben:
 
Here is something else I ran across in periodically erasing old files.  It is my memorial given at the cemetery in Belgium in October 1999.  Bill Lewis said you will be making a presentation at the next cemetery.  I scribbled something down on an envelope and then typed it up when I got home.  It is not a "Gettysburg Address" but I know I had tears in my eyes before finishing it.
 
HENRI-CHAPELLE AMERICAN CEMETERY
 
In this quiet and peaceful setting lie the remains of men who stormed the beaches of Normandy and endured the storms in the Ardennes.  These men were never given the opportunity, as we standing here today, to return to loved ones and continue their lives that had been interrupted by strife and turmoil.
 
Beneath these markers lie some of our country's best, who when our country was confronted by mortal threats, accepted their duty and performed modestly and heroically.
 
We honor them today, as do all the peoples of Europe, for their unselfish and supreme sacrifice.  A debt of gratitude is owed to them for making it possible for so many others to live in peace and freedom.
 
May God help us continue to show our appreciation for their deeds and sacrifice.
Hal and Helen Beddow
 
~~Mark Your Calendars~~
 
517th PRCT Reunion  -  2005
August 15 - 19
Savannah, Georgia
 
Plans are being made for the 517th PRCT Reunion in August 2005.  The Reunion will be held at the DeSoto Hilton Hotel in the Historic District of Savannah.  Being a southern city of hospitality, you will find many things to see and do within walking distance of the hotel.   The Atlantic Ocean and the beach are about 20 minutes from the hotel.
 
Registration will start on Monday, August 15.  The
Reunion will end with a Banquet on Friday, August 19.  More details will follow in the weeks ahead.  
 
Bring your children and grandchildren……bring a friend!!  Let's make this a wonderful event for our "517th Family". 

Howard Hensleigh
Dear Yvon and Catherine,

Merle McMorrow and Bob Dalrymple have been in touch with me regarding your splendid idea of erecting a liberation monument in Southern France. The second invasion of France is frequently overlooked by historians and the general public. It is appropriate to erect something there as a reminder to those who didn’t know; it would also serve as a tribute to those who who did the liberating as well as those who lived through and remember the occupation all too well. Bob’s and Merle’s thought was that the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team Association could play a part in supporting this idea. Since we were the largest element of General Frederick’s First Airborne Task Force, their suggestion certainly makes sense. The fact that Yvon was with us as a Third Battalion liaison with the French forces is another factor supporting this idea. His services to Lt. Col. Paxton and the rest of the outfit were well received and appreciated. The US/ French cooperation that flourished during our Revolutionary War and World War II might be useful in solving some of today’s problems.  Perhaps the monument in Southern France might stimulate some thought along those lines.

We have a number of ways of being in touch with our members, The Thunderbolt, Mail Call and reunions. When you have the details and need the support, we will be able to call on our members for their contributions to the project. Let us know when you think you are ready to give them the specifics. We will do this enthusiastically. All of us have fond recollections of the picturesque landscape and wonderful people there who assisted us in routing le Bosch (sp?).

We look forward to hearing from you. Howard Hensleigh


 
John Alicki

Thought the following excerpt from a newspaper article sent to me by our own Jesse K. Davis from Las Vegas, NV  would remind us of Operation Dragoon and our Parachute jump mission into Southern France.

"In all, 250,000 Allied soldiers stormed France's Mediterranean shores on August 15, 1944, 70 days after D-Day landings at Normandy catching German troops in a pincer so tight that Hitler muttered to aides, "This is the darkest day of my life."

"At the Rhone American Cemetery north of St. Tropez, in the little city of Draguignan, 861 graves are marked with crosses  or Star of David.  The bodies of 1,600 other Americans were repatriated.  Headstones among old olive trees and cedars identify brothers, a general, a rare woman soldier-nurse.   Above them all, a stone wall is inscribed: "We who lie here died that future generations might live in peace."

"A large bronze relief map shows the events of Aug 15 and what happened afterward.  Allied units knifed northward meeting up with Normandy troops coming from the West."

 The rest is history......."History is a voice forever sounding across the centuries the laws of right and wrong.  Opinions alter, manners change, creeds rise and fall, but the moral law is written on the tablets of eternity."----Foude
Neal McAfee
 
Hello,
 
My name is Neal McAfee. My Grandmothers Brother (my Great Uncle) was in the 517th. His name was Cleo Nelson Browning. He was Killed in action, I believe in 1945. I'm starting to do some research about him. I always heard about him and I never really knew what happened.
 
I was happy to see him mentioned in one of the stories. Fred Beyer mentioned him on 10/13/2001.
 
I would appreciate any information about him or anyone that knew him.
 
Thank you,
 
Neal McAfee Jr.

Josh Brooks
My name is Josh Brooks.  My grandfather was a member of the 517th and I am trying to find out which company he was in.   Is there anyway to access this information?  His name was Riley Graham Watts from Laurel, MS.  He went by Graham, but was called "Breezer" by his buddies.  Thanks for your attention to this matter.     

                                                         Thanks,
                                                             Josh
Riley G. Watts was a member of Service Company. - Ben
 

Bob Barrett
Also found this recent article about John Grant. 
-------------------------------

Josh Brooks
 
Thank you so much your reply.  Can you tell me what service company was and did?  Also, what does a technican 4th grade do?  My grandfather left a wonderful scrapbook filled with pictures and notes from his campaign throughout Europe.  I know from that he fought in Italy, Southern France, and Belgium.  He also left a booklet published by the 517th that illustrates their role and missions throughout Europe.  In the back it is signed by his Sergeant and many of the men listed in the Christmas roster.  There are also pictures of these men in the scrapbook.  I want to thank you for supporting this website and letting so many of us learn about our loved ones.  I know that my grandfather always thought of his "buddies" as brothers.  Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated.

                                                                    Thanks,
                                                                        Josh Brooks