Jan and I send all the troopers, their families and the 517^th friends Thanksgiving greetings. For the first time in many years Jan will miss being surrounded by children and grandchildren. Nevertheless, we all give thanks for all our blessings. Our living through the perils of sixty years ago is only one of them. It is a good time to reflect back on a lifetime of associations and accomplishments, to take inventory of the good things we enjoy in our lives today, and look forward to a future in a country that stands for something worth fighting for. Lets say a prayer for out troops in the field and hope that their turkey tastes as good as it would if they were eating it at home. A big hope!!

. Jack Castiglione will undergo a cancer operation in the stomach-esophagus area December l, 2004. He will enter the VA Hospital on November 30 for overnight preparations. We wish him and his family the very best for the Thanksgiving season and successful surgery. Your thoughts and prayers will be appreciated. Jack was a member of the 3^rd Bn. S-2 section.

Here is a letter from Dan Chapin, 7829 Rosewood Dr., Prairie Village, KS 66208-4449:

"Dear Howard:

"I read your letter with interest in the Thunderbolt listing your ten men. Enclosed are pictures you might enjoy. John Gaunce was my shelter half partner. His last words were ‘Follow me men’. After the war I visited with his parents in KC, KS and told them about the beautiful cemetery in France where their son was buried. I knew both Freeman and Thomas. The pictures of Col de Braus will bring back memories. In 1989, Bill Lewis gave the proprietor an engraved plaque honoring the 517^th. We had a drink and then went outside, searched and found our old areas still littered with shrapnel.

Best regards, Dan Chapin Co. H"

John Gaunce was H Co. first sergeant. He uttered his last words as he started across the tracks south and east of Les Arcs. I will send these pictures to Ben and Bob Christie. Other than the pictures of Col de Braus, there are pictures of the cemetery with troopers taken at the grave sites of Sgt. Gaunce and Lt. Freeman, both KIA at Les Arcs. One is of the inscription in stone (probably at the entrance of the cemetery) reading,

"We who lie here died that future generations might live in peace."

Our highest regards to all and a wish for a Happy Thanksgiving. Howard Hensleigh

Prayer of Les Quatre-Bras

Click here for more info on the battle for the Crossroads of Les Quatre-Bras
(from the CRIBA web site)