From: Ben517
Sent: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 1:00:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 880 517TH PRCT--APRIL17,2005

Hello,
 
I got back from California last night and just trying to catch up on Mail Call. Will have more to say about reunion later and also hope others that were there will send in reports. Just want to say that Bill Christian put on another great reunion.
 
Ben

 
Website                                  www.517prct.org
Mail Call                                  Ben517@aol.com
Mail Call Archives                 www.517prct.org/archives
Roster                                     www.517prct.org/roster.pdf

2005 Biannual Reunion
August 15-19, 2005
Savannah, GA
Registration due before July 10, 2005!

Registration Form
Print and complete this form and return to Hal Beddow:
Registration Form (pdf format)
Registration Form (Word format)
Registration must be received by July 10, 2005

Scott Williams
 
Also posted on the Guestbook:
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott S. Williams [mailto:scott@southways.net]
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 8:47 AM
To: webmaster@517prct.org
Subject: LT. Col. Charles "Whitey" Hillsdale
Importance: High

To All Members of the 517th Parachute Regimental Company;
 
 
    It is with great sadness that I report the recent passing of "Whitey" Hillsdale. He passed away in the morning of Thursday, March 31st at the Hospice Center of West Palm Beach, FL. He is survived by his wife, Gina, daughter, Carol, and grandchildren Eliza (12) and Brooke (7). Military burial and ceremony will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at 0845 on May 18.
 
    If there are any of you who would like to include comments, memories, or tributes to Whitey for inclusion in the eulogy I am writing please forward to either his daughter, Carol, at carol@southways.net or myself, Scott Williams (son-in-law) at scott@southways.net.
 
    Thank You,
 
    Scott Williams

Dot Lubic
 
We can't begin to thank all of you enough for your prayers and good wishes.  It seems they are working for Andrew. 

His primary physician told us today that we can be cautiously optimistic about his recovery.  The ventilator numbers were turned down a little today.  The vent breathes 10 breaths per minute for him.......down from 14 yesterday.  The oxygen rate was turned down to 35 from 40%.  We all breath 23% so they want to get him down close to the 23% mark.  He is breathing anywhere from 16 to 25 times a minute on his own depending on the activity at the moment.........nurses giving meds, us talking to him, etc.  A catheter going into his heart was removed because the pressure has subsided to a more normal level.  This is all good news.  It means Andrews lungs are beginning to heal some.  They are planning to continue weaning him from the ventilator and possibly remove it toward the end of the week.  He will continue on dialysis about 3 times a week. 

My 2 daughters, Lee and Cindy, returned home today with their families but will come back as soon as I call should the need arise.  Cindy will probably come back one day this week and Lee in a couple of weeks depending on how thing develop.  They have been so helpful......being at the hospital early and late, shopping, cooking, etc., but most important, spending time with Andrew and talking with him even though we are not sure he understands much of what we are saying due to the drugs he is on. 

The doctors, his primary physician, lung specialist, kidney specialist, and heart specialist, are amazed at his stamina but I told them he is a tough old soldier.  After all, he was with the 517th.

One light note........my 11 year old granddaughter played her first ever softball game Saturday morning and came to see her Poppy Saturday afternoon still in her bright red, dirty, sweaty uniform.  She stood close to him and told him all about the run she made and that her team won the game.  Even in his drug-induced lethargy, he opened his eyes, looked at her and smiled really big.  We all stood there in amazement and with tears in our eyes. 

Thanks to all for your concern.  Andrew knows he is surrounded by love............

Dot and Cathy

Dot Lubic
 
Enjoy the reunion and say hello to all our friends.  If Andrew can travel okay, we will be in Savannah.  I hope this can happen.  Dot
Bob Dalrymple
 
Dear Fellow Troopers, Again , I respectfully submit that ,in my opinion
, we should invite our old friends first, i.e., Maria Gaspar , Arnold
and Ime Targnion , Aime Leocard, the two Le Muy Museum conservators and
their wives . Warmest Regards . Bob Dalrymple

Jim Royer
 
Ben, Received registration form via the Thunderbolt.  Will send it in
this week.
However, we are not having a Biannual reunion. We are having a Biennial
reunion.
The prefix, bi, means twice or two. Thus, biannual means twice or two
each year, or semi-annual.
Biennial , per definition, means once every two years. The dictionary
states, "Biannual should not be used in place of  biennial to mean once
every two years."
                                    Jim Royer, Hq.3rd

Roger Ervine
Garrett Frice,
My grandpa lived for quite some time in San Luis Obispo County.  Small World I guess.
Roger Ervine

Boom Boom Alicki
"This is probably the best historical Christian and most patriotic
presentation I have ever seen.  It should be read by every American,
especially our children and grandchildren.  Please read it and then pass it
along to all who love our wonderful country.

I recommend printing this out and saving for our children and grandchildren
since I am afraid that they will not see this in our public schools.

http://www.wtv-zone.com/Mary/forsakenroots.html 

While viewing the presentation, please note when each infringement upon our religious freedoms took place.

Lou Darden
    Ben, Jesse would like to have the attachments put on the web site. If I
need to send them somewhere else let me know. I have tried to send through
yahoo mail, but could not get it done. So I am using my mail box. We will
continue to use yahoo mail for mail call. LOU
                                          *********
Photos are now on the website--Ben

Entry of Apr 11, 2005 at 08:25 [EST]
Name: ROGER W.WILLIAMS
Unit:
EMail: ROGER.WILLIAMS@CELANESEACETATE.COM
How I found the 517th page: unknown
Comments: DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHERE CAPT. JOSEPH T. MCGEEVER WAS BURIED AT?  MY DAD WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. HE IS 84 YEARS OLD AND MCGEEVER WAS HIS CAPT. DAD WAS WOUNDED IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

Entry of Apr 12, 2005 at 22:31 [EST]
Name: BILL KRANYAK
Unit: 67th Inf. HHC 173d Airborne Bde. [SEP.]
EMail: bkranyak@yahoo.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: I'm Commander of DAV Chapter 88 Aston Pa. While conducting our annual " Forget-Me -Not" drive I was talking with an old neighbor.  He asked how to find out about his deceased brothers unit.  Although I served in Viet Nam in 66-67, we can't forget the men that went before us. I was a point man in Nam, now I'm the first here.  We need stories from our men that are walking pieces of History.  Come on follow Me---- BILL KRANYAK Commander / Certified Service Officer DAV Chapter 88 Aston, Pa.