From: Ben517@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 7:18 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 779 517TH PRCT.--OCTOBER 20, 2004
Hello,

Website                      www.517prct.org
Mail Call                      Ben517@aol.com
Mail Call Archives      www.517prct.org/archives
Roster                         www.517prct.org/roster.pdf
Florida Mini-Reunion 2005
January 23-27, 2005
Kissimmee, FL

2005 Biannual Reunion
August 15-19, 2005
Savannah, Ga.


Howard Hensleigh

Dear Ben:

After al these years we are gratified to learn of Joe Largan, his wife, his six pack of daughters, his son (king John the First) and his grandson who made the contact with Mail call, Joe Bisch. It is not surprising to learn that Joe Largan was the same type of father as he was a platoon leader. The manifest for the August 15, 1944 jump Joe Bisch found in his foot locker contained notations for each man on the list. Joe kept track of each one. Unfortunately some of the names were marked with the note "KIA" but Joe did his best to prevent that notation.

We appreciate the details provided by his daughters, Anne and Dorothy, and the list of items in the foot locker provided by Joe. If John can dig out some of those pictures, we will be glad to see them.

You should know that you are part of a large family of 517th members, wives, widows, descendants, nieces and nephews who have vowed to keep an organization going even after many of us have "hit the final drop zone". We have picked up the Navy therm, "Welcome aboard", which means the red carpet is rolled out for you. One of the main purposes of our Association is to perpetuate and honor the names of the Combat Team members, as well as the Combat Team’s WWII accomplishments.

Please keep in touch and enjoy being part of the 517th Family. Howard Hensleigh


Darrell Egner

Ben

I was shocked to read Bob Christie's mail call regarding Donna Hillard.  At the Florida Mini this year she took charge and offered to take on several large projects which were successfully completed.  From what I understand she also partakes in many daring activities in her personal life such as jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, etc.
 
The best of luck to you Donna for a quick recovery.  See you at the Florida Mini in January of 2005.
 
Darrell Egner
HQ. 2nd Batt.
Michael  Arterburn
 
Hello 517th,
     Was just thinking about my Dad and wondered if any of the 517th men could answer a question I never got to ask my father before he passed away.
      I recall that he had said that he was an instructor at a demolition school and that the reason he volunteered for the 517th was because he figured he would rather die fighting overseas than be killed teaching men about pyrotechnics.    I seem to remember him talking about several instructors being injured from an explosive that was like a putty substance that you could wrap around the trunk of a small tree and sever the tree.   Reminded me of primer cord we used when I was in the service in the 60's.    Does anyone remember whether I am just imagining this demolition weapon or was there such a thing in the 40's? 
I suppose it would have been used to clear trees, blow up bridge supports, etc.   
Michael N. Arterburn
Son of SSgt Nello R. Arterburn, 3rd Bat., G Co.
Capt Mike

Shirley Mccarey

 Army soldier in Iraq with his tiny "plot" of grass

in front of his tent. 

 It's heartwarming! 

Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq, in a big sand box.

He asked his wife to send him dirt, fertilizer and some

 grass seeds so he can have the sweet aroma and feel

 the grass grow beneath his feet.

If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair

of  scissors.

Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop

and think about the little things that we take for granted.

 Upon receiving this, please say a prayer for our soldiers

that give (and give up) so unselfishly for us.

 You don't have to send this on, but who wouldn't...?