PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The Internal Revenue Service informed us, by letter dated November 8, 2004, that the Association is exempt from federal taxation under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c) (19). (This is the same provision covering the American Legion etc.) I have sent copies of that letter with its enclosures to our treasurer, Bob Christie, our assistant Treasurer, Dick Miller, our Massachusetts clerk, Ben Barrett, and our Odyssey re-publisher, Thunderbolt publication assistant and general second generation facilitator, Donna Hilliard. Bob and Dick need the letter for future reference in dealing with the IRS; Donna needs it to convince the Florida tax authorities not charge sales tax on distribution of the reprinted Odyssey; Ben needs it for his files.

In addition to solving the Association’s problems, this means that your contributions to the Association are deductible on your federal and state income tax returns.

Before closing the book on this chapter of our legal history, I will leave a record of pertinent facts for future use of the Association members, officers, and directors.

We learned that our Florida corporation had been dissolved by the State of Florida on August 26, 1994, for failure to file annual reports. To solve this problem, we took the following steps:

1. We re-incorporated the Association in Massachusetts, without cost to the Association. This was completed on August 29, 2002.

2. We attempted to get the IRS to recognize us as an exempt nonprofit corporation since we had been filing tax returns as such all along. No dice. They took the sticky, but technically defensible position, that we were a brand new organization, requiring re-filing for exempt status.

3. We filed and regained tax exempt status. This sounds simple, but my file is an inch thick. The last submission was a copy of the Thunderbolt with Dick Seitz picture on the front page. This wound it up resulting in the IRS letter of November 8, 2004 mentioned above..

Prior to my move to Florida I served as clerk of the Massachusetts nonprofit corporation. With my move, we had two choices: hire a resident agent ($$), or obtain the services of another Massachusetts resident. Ben Barrett was kind enough to take on this additional responsibility. Leo Dean is our Secretary. There may be some overlap in the duties of the secretary and clerk, but I am sure Leo and Ben will be able to work that out as Leo and I did.

Respectfully submitted, Howard Hensleigh

Dorothy Errair

Hello I saw a notice in Daily Commercial { Leesburg} few months ago. You wrote to me. I am aWW 2 Veteran Flight Nurse Served in No Africa Sicily Italy and Southern France. My outfit 807 th Medical Air Evacuation Squadron. We picked up wounded at or near the front Flying the American British Polish German patients to Hospitals in the rear. I am President of the WW 2 Flight Nurse Assoc. We are included with the Air Force Nurses. I know I have picked up many of the Airborne Troops. I enjoy reading many of your stories. We must continue to tell our stories so the younger people can learn. I have had many of my stories in the Daily Commercial and one out soon in the Orlando Sentinel. Last Sept we had a Reunion in Chicago. Next Sept in Wash DC. Just another Veteran swapping tales. Good Luck to everyone. Dorothy C Errair Tavares Fl

Entry of Nov 15, 2004 at 20:54 [EST]
Name: Robby Scruggs
Unit:
EMail: burtscr@aol.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine

Comments: My father Raymond Scruggs passed away in 1994. He did not talk often about his role in WWII but to say he served his country. He and my Mom tried to attend as many reunions as possible before he passed, I do have bits and pieces and have found some mentions on him. My Mom is still alive (76) and was very proud of him, as we all were but she also doesn't mention a lot of what he did except for relative items. Any additional info on my Dad would be greatly appreciated. We still miss him and are very proud of his accomplishments. I wish I was half the man he was..... Thank You Robert Scruggs

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Raymond Scruggs was in G company and was awarded the Bronze Star with Clusters-Ben

Bill Boyle

For jeffrey Van Ness. while the517 was initially in the 17th

abn. div we were sent overseas as a separate combat team

and were not in combat with them so your grandfather would

not likely be mentioned in their records. However he should

be found in ours . We fought as a separate combat team

I RECALL HIS NAME BUT NOT THE EVENT. Perhaps someone in his platoon will see your note and answer.

Bill Boyle

Margaret LaVelle

Ben, Thank you so much for sending me these emails. I enjoy reading them. It makes me feel so proud. There are so many children and grandchildren that want to know of the heritage of their family. I wish my dad was still here to share in the joy of these messages. I will be sending photos soon and would love to have my dad included in on the pictures of the 517^th. He may already be and I don’t Identify his pictures. Thank you for all you do for these great men that served our country. Margaret Bales LaVelle

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Margaret is the daughter of Thomas Bales Hq.--Ben