If you can, please forward the following to Josh Brooks. His e-mail address wasn't in the mail call. You can put this in the mail call if you want to, but DO NOT put it in the newsletter 'cause my father wouldn't be happy to see his name in print, and he would probably quit telling me his stories. Thank you.
Dear Josh,
My father, Robert Jacobsen was a staff sergeant in the Service Company. He says he remembers your grandfather in the packing sheds packing parachutes. My father also received a purple heart, but all he'll tell me about it is that it was "just a scratch and he wouldn't even have gone to the medics but an officer made him". I know he fought on Anzio beach and I know he jumped into some battle somewhere, but he won't talk about anything that has to do with combat. What little bit I know about service company....they had to pitch tents like everyone else, but then Dad would sleep in the back of the company's 6x6 trucks instead of sleeping on the ground. They packed parachutes, took care of supplies, and cooked. They had it really good in Rome. The rest of the 517th camped outside of town, but service company got to stay in the buildings that Mussolini (sp?) built on the outskirts of the city. I think the area was called Ur. The buildings are so big that they put plywood on the stairs and could drive the trucks into the buildings and up to the second floor where they packed chutes. They had a lot of down time in Rome, and spent time drinking and shooting craps with the English guys who were staying there. That's all I can think of right now.
Vicki Jacobsen
I was sorry to here about Clark Archer but was glad to hear that he came home. Clark Archer is a wonderful person and has been a huge help to me with his knowledge of the 517th. I truly hope he improves each day and is able to take your phone calls soon. When you are able to talk to him please tell him “Hello” and “I hope he will be feeling better real soon”. I appreciate it.
Thank you.
Chris Lindner
Nate Rubenstein’s daughter
Joseph Martel
I am sorry to have to inform you
that going over all this is beginning to
have a depressing effect on me. My
experience in combat, (no purple
heart) was traumatic and I thought I was
pretty well over it. Went to the
VA (bad heart) today, and they advised me
that it would be better if I
did not get anymore Mail Call. Perhaps it would
be enough with the
Thunderbolt. I do wish all you guys the very
best.
Joseph Martel, E
company
***************
????????????? - Ben
Bucky Simmons
The Toccoa/Stephens County Historical Society would like to invite you, or your group to attend our third annual Camp Toccoa Reunion and Reenactments. Camp Toccoa now made famous by "Band of Brothers" was the birthplace of the 501st, 506th, 511th, and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments. We usually have Veterans from all four regiments attend every year, along with Veterans of all conflicts since WWII. The 506th and 501st Vietnam - present day will also have men attend, as well as all 101st, 82nd, Rangers, and most other units of the U.S. Army.
This year we are expanding the focus for our reunion and reenactments to include all WWII units. Allied, and Axis. We are having great response throughout the U.S. and Europe. There will be onsite camping and display areas for reenactment groups. The number of battle reenactments will be determined by the diversity and number of groups attending, we have 9+ hours for battles. Every group that attends are invited to take part in the battles. We hope to have several hundred re-enactors take part along with several different military vehicle associations.
There will also be displays, and aircraft from today's military. The event will take place at the Toccoa Airport, October 7-10, 2004. We also invite re-enactors and veterans to visit our local schools on Friday. If you ,or someone you know that might be interested please invite them, along with Veterans of all wars. For more info and agenda of events, contact me at: Bucky@camptoccoareunion.com or (706)-282-0507.
Thank You,
Bucky Simmons
Toccoa/Stephens County Historical Society
Toccoa, Georgia. United States
Savannah, GA
