From: Ben517
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 6:40 AM
To: PRCT517
Subject: MailCall 799
Hello,
We just receive on our guestbook notification of the death of Raymond Gearon "I" Co.
 
Ben

____________________________________________________________
Website                       
www.517prct.org
Mail Call                      
Ben517@aol.com
Mail Call Archives     www.517prct.org/archives
Roster                         www.517prct.org/roster.pdf
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Florida Mini-Reunion 2005
January 23-27, 2005
Kissimmee, FL
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2005 Biannual Reunion
August 15-19, 2005
Savannah, Ga.
 
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Entry of Nov 19, 2004 at 16:34 [EST]
Name: Bill Gearon
Unit:
EMail:
ebgearon@charter.net
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: My Uncle, Lt. Raymond D. Gearon, a member of your unit, Co. I, passed away yesterday after a short illness at age 88.
Jean Loup
 
Hi Ben
 
This is Jean Loup, the guy who found Marvin Moles's
helmet and who asked if any pics of La Roquette
existed. I saw that in mail call 797 you said I am a
french citizen. This is only half true, for I also
have Canadian nationality, can speak english and used
to live in Canada.
I am saying this because I know France isn't
necessarily very popular in the US...
 
Jean Loup
                                                             *************
The 517 has many French friends. - Ben
 
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Bob Christie
 
Ben, One or two days ago, someone called me about Dan Harris in South Wales UK. He said Dan wasn't getting the Thunderbolt. Evidently, we don't have his correct address. I was about to send two issues to him, but didn't want to waste them and the postage until we could con firm the address. To whoever called me, this old memory ain't what it used to be, just like the old gray mare. Please call again, or it may be that you don't have a computer.  Bob Ben, That address I gave you for Bill Christian didn't work. Right now, I have two turkeys in the oven, one at home and one at our church. Ya'll come down Sunday!!!
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Lory Curtis
Thanks so much for the information about the picture I sent you of an unknown trooper that my Dad knew.  I just called him and when I told him it might be Ed Easterly, he said yes.  It brought back his memory of the picture.  Please thank the person who identified him for me.   Also, any information about the group picture of the 1st Battalion?  I was hoping it would be posted to the web site or put on mail call. 
 
Lory Curtis
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 Lory Curtis
 
Ben,
 
            I want to publicly thank Bob Christie and all those who help him put together the “Thunderbolt”.  He does such a great job! Also on pages 9 and 10 of the Thunderbolt there is a letter written to a mother on September 2, 1943 about his first jump.  The editor’s note says they didn’t know who Bud is because the full name was not attached to the email sent in to mail call.  Well, I am the guilty culprit.  In my rush to submit his letter to mail call I must have forgotten to acknowledge the full name.  It is my Dad, Harland “Bud” Curtis, I believe he was in Regimental Headquarters at the time.  Later transferred to Hq, 1st Bn.  Sorry for the mix up. 
 
 Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis
                                                             **************
Lory, the mix-up is nothing. Claire Giblin thinks Lory is a she. - Ben
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Lory Curtis
 
Ben,
 
            Thanks so much for putting the picture of the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion on mail call and the web site.  It is hard to tell where my Dad might be in the photo, but I know he is there, and it is so wonderful to now have this picture.  Please extend my sincerest appreciation to Mr. T. Cotton Nelson for sending this in.   Is there any chance Mr. Nelson could reproduce this photo in its original size?  I would be more than happy to pay for any costs associated with getting a duplicate copy?
 
 Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ, 1st Bn.
 
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Jeffrey Van Ness
 
Sir,
 
I spoke with Tiger, the wife of Clark Archer (B Co) and got a few details about my grandfather Joe Van Ness. She hooked me up with Dog Jordan who in turn gave me a few more.
 
I appreciate all the help you guys have been and hope to find out more as I make contact with other 517th soldiers.
 
I see from this last mail call that some folks are sending in pictures. I only have a few and if that is something you are taking I can get one of my grandfather in his uniform scanned and submit it.
 
I appreciate all you do and look forward to each new "Mail Call".
 
JV+
CH (CPT) Jeffrey T. Van Ness
Battalion Chaplain, 1/50th IN
Ft. Benning, GA 31905
Wk: (706) 544-0102
 
You can judge the character of a man by the way he treats those who can do him absolutely no good.

Entry of Nov 20, 2004 at 04:26 [EST]
Name: Leti Baar
Unit:

EMail: lbaar@qwest.net
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: Am interested in hearing from anyone who remembers my Uncle Fred Zavattero and his exploits during training and the war. Through diligent searching I find he served in the 596th PCEC. Thanks - Leti

We have Lieut. Frederick Zavattero on our 1944 Christmas roster.-Ben