517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team

Would you like to hear regularly from other members of the 517th?

Ben Barrett has organized an email-based mailing list for 517th members and families and friends who are interested in hearing regular updates from other 517th members. These "Mail Calls" are sent out periodically, generally about once or twice per week, as news is received. Each Mail Call message includes a collection of other notes received from those on the mailing lists. Notes are mostly just news about personal events or items that may be of interest to others. Nothing fancy, just a way to keep in touch.

If you would like to be added to the Mail Call list and receive these mailings, just send a note to Ben Barrett at mailcall@517prct.org.or Ben517@aol.com Include your email address, as well as any personal news that you would like to share with the others.

Note that the WACs on the left are sorting mail for Units 504-598.
There is probably plenty of mail for the 517th soldiers in this picture.

Helen Beddow

The 517^th Reunion – Savannah 2005 is now on the website. The Reunion Registration consists of two pages of registration and two pages of the Event Details. I have had some response that people were unable to download the information on their computer. If that is the case, please email me, and I will get the Registration Forms to you. These forms will also appear in the Thunderbolt publication.

The Hotel Registration form is also on the website. For that, you will contact the hotel directly. Be sure to mention that you are with the 517^th.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Savannah!!

Helen Beddow

Chris Lindner

Hi All:

Let’s just say that since I have lived in Texas several times I do like the cowboys a lot more!!!!!!! This is a good one

Chris

http://oldbluejacket.com/cowboys.htm

Bill Christian

Ben I dont know where I left off regarding reunion sign-ups but here are some of the latest...Gene Frice and two daughters, Ralph/Lois Call, Bob /Nancy Lecklider, Vera Anderson, John/Deanne Jonientz, Bill/ Marian Brannan and Maxine Smothers. I believe I read in one of your daily briefings that the Duran Family is expected to attend.

. I will try to keep to keep you informed as the day gets closer. Bill

Morris McDowell

Ben,

This is in response to Ed Athey. I have a cap from the 1996 reunion at Ft. Benning I would give to him, but he must come to The Savanna reunion to get it. Morris McDowell, Cousin of Layton Pippin, 'H' company.

Dorothy Errair

Ben Just received this from a friend in Holland. Maybe some of your Group were involved. Dorothy Errair

Ben Just received this from a friend in Holland. Maybe some of your Group were involved. Dorothy Errair
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Subject: operation Varsity

Dear friends,

Today it is 24 March. That day marks D-Day operation Varsity, the Rhine River crossing near Wesel. It is the 60th anniversary of that operation. In 1945 thousands of men were involved in the last major airborne operation. From airfields in both England and France C-47s and C-46s started their engines to drop paratroopers of the 17th Airborne Division. It was an operation where CG-4A's were towed in double tow. Also the British 6th Airborne Division was involved in this mission.

Especially the 313rd Troop Carrier Group was equipped with the new and larger C-46s Curtis Commander, they could handle more troopers who jumped from the both doors, one in each side of the fuselage. Many of these planes were hit by all kind of fire, even small caliber fire, that caused many planes to crash, with a great number of loss in lives of air-crewmembers and paratroopers. Both the Troop Carriers and 17th Airbornes sustained many casualties.

yesterday, on the 23rd there was a ceremony held by the Germans, I had to work and could not attend. On the 24th a ceremony will be held on the Canadian Cemetery in Groesbeek. Many Canadians killed in the Varsity mission were buried in this cemetery.

I think that there will two more 60th anniversaries: VE and VJ-Day's.

I do not know if you participated in Varsity, but no doubt you remember this day, sixty years ago. if you have any documentation or pictures of this mission, would like to ask you if you are willing to share this with me.

all the best from a sunny Holland, have a nice day

Jan Bos