Dear Ben:
On The Day of Assumption,
the 60th anniversary of the Southern France jump,
the 56th anniversary of our marriage,
the 59th anniversary of the ending of the war with Japan, and
the 109th anniversary of the birth of Jan’s mother,
Jan and I celebrated by packing and disposing of our junk accumulated over a lifetime. This will give us a lightened load for the move to Atlantic Beach. In the downsizing, some went to kids, some was given away, some was sold, some went to the dump. We have found that when we get rid of something we need it the next week. With this precaution in mind, we are taking too much. We have our fingers crossed. Opening the boxes may be like Christmas and bring some surprises. We trust that you and your family, in making your move, will do a better job than we did.
Tom Cross called to help us celebrate the day. Tom commanded a battalion that seemed to be a collecting point for 517th Combat Team members who continued their careers in the Army following The War. It was good to hear about old friends. We are looking forward to joining Tom and Bettye in a couple of days.
Meanwhile, Ben, we trust you can make the move, keep your sanity, and keep Mail Call going, all at the same time. It provides a lot of the cement that holds the Band of Brothers together. Highest regards, Howard Hensleigh
Tom Cross
Name: joepettit
Unit: 92nd ncb, att 4th marine div
EMail:
How I
found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: Att: Ben Barrett; Ben,
on 6/2 you advised me that you would contact Cecil Doty to see if he knew my
late Bro-in-Law, Sgt Bernard Donohoe. Have you any news? Thank you ! Joe
Pettit
Name: Leanne Hostetter Voelkel
Unit:
EMail: BLBD.Voelkel@juno.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: I am looking
for military information on my father, Ralph S. Hostetter, who is deceased. His
discharge papers are the only source of my information. He was a technician
third grade 517th Parachute Combat Team. He arrived in southern France on
11-9-44. The papers listed Northern France, Ardennes and the Rhineland as
battles/campaigns he served in. The papers list him as a surgical tech 7861.
National Archives in St. Louis has told me that records were destroyed in a fire
in 1973. Would anyone know of him and or what he may done while in Europe. Thank
you and may God bless all you veterans for you have served us
well!
Can anyone help Joe and Leanne find the information that they are seeking? - Ben