I don't think we have a problem with the 517 going away.  (Reference Mail Call # 775)  As long as we have people like you and your son Bob, Bob Christie and Helen and Hal Beddow to keep us going I feel good about the 517 always being here.

 

One of the main reasons I feel optimistic is that there are so many wife's, children, grand children and just friends that have stepped up and are actively involved.  I get the impression this group probably out numbers those of us that are still around.  This seems to be the case as I read Mail Call and see all of the above writing in.  Come on you old troopers send Ben some material, he said he is not working hard enough.

 

I can't quit until I encourage all of you to me at the Florida Mini in January and in Savanna in August of 2005.  Once again HQ Company, 2nd Batt. will take the attendance prize.  How can  20 plus people share one trophy?  See you there!

 

Darrell Egner

HQ. 2nd Batt.

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I certainly have to apologize to you Terry,  I thought sure I could raise
some memories from our guys about him.  But it seems like a stone wall.  
The only reason I can give you is the age of these guys, and the time that
has gone by since WW-II - and I do not feel that that is a valid excuse
either,  Arlton was such a  very nice guy, easy going, always a smile on
his face. I really liked him and counted him as a good friend.   So Sorry,
Do you plan to attend the 517 reunion in Savannah next Aug.15 .  ? I hope
to but am  having a lot of hip problems (pain)  in walking, So must take
it one day at a time.   My wife likes to go with me (to keep an eye on me
at my age),  She just had a arthroscopic knee surgery last Thursday, but
it was what they call keyhole type --  a small incision on both sides of
the knee and they take out the torn meniscus,  I had it done 40 years ago
and was off work from it a whole year.   But I was a Locomotive Engineer
at the time, and had to be in good enough shape to get on and off a
moving Locomotive.   My incision was about 9 inches long, great
improvement in the last 40 years. Your Friend Tom McAvoy

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Arlto Beardon was KIA in Italy, Ben  We were in Regt. HDQ Co. in Toccoa
Ga.   together.   in 1943   I swear he was in Demolition Platoon.  , but,  I
found a request from Terry Beardon to anyone that had known him in mail
call 6-8 months ago.   Boom  Boom claims he couldnot remember him?,  He
was transferrd to I company, and I was transferred to H co. for our trip
to combat in Italy,  I have a picture of him if you would like for me to
send it.  Yes put the letter of apology I sent to him (Terry Beardon) in
Mail Call Thanks  Tom McAvoy

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I received that this morning and forwarded it to some of our members. By the way, the Thunderbolt is going to the Printer today. The next one
after this will be our Christmas issue. We'll be having two issues coming out close to a month apart, but I told them I wanted to get the Christmas issue out on time. Maybe now I can stay on schedule. Donna is having open heart surgery and needs to be in our prayers.  Maybe she will recover in time for the Kissimmee reunion. I will keep you posted as soon as I hear the latest updates on her progress. Bob
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