From: Ben517
Sent: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 3:42:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Subject: MAIL CALL N0. 882 517TH PRCT--APRIL 19, 2005
 
Hello,
 
We added to new members to our Mail Call roster while at Palm Springs. Ralph Call and Bob Lecklider of "A" Co.
 
Ben
 
      
2005 Biennial 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
Gene Frice
 
Ben,

     Palm Springs-517th Report

     The April 10-16, 2005; the 517th Eighteenth, Palm Springs gathering is history. A good time was had by all. It was good to see a number of troopers from other parts of the country, including our esteemed publisher  Web Master, Ben Barrett. Unfortunately, Fran was not able to attend.

     As in the past, outstanding work by the Christian’s, and all of Bill’s assistants, made for a successful and enjoyable visit. Bill is a great organizer. He was even able to program excellent weather. Of course the weather did rise into the 90’s, but you must remember that the Palm Springs climatic event is a “dry heat.” My two daughters and I did managed to ride our bicycles some 20-30 miles a day. It is necessary to remind our visitors from distant lands how comfortable one may find the “dry heat.” However, it is difficult to explain why their feet are sticking in the asphalt. Actually, the weather was good, but don’t hang around Palm Springs much later in the year-how does 100 to 120+ degrees sound? Also, we did not have an earthquake until two days later (About 100 miles away in Bakersfield-not Palm Springs).

     Bill reported that there were approximately 60 individuals in attendance.  This year I found the evening dinner meal quite good. The Thursday BBQ held for the members and the ladies was excellent. We also found the hotel staff to be cooperative-however, as Bill pointed out-after all these years the hotel is having difficulty keeping up with the maintenance that is necessary. The hotel assisted in providing rooms at $ 61.00, rather than $120.00. Palm Springs is a definite Destination Tourist attraction-that's great. I stayed over for a day as my daughters were not leaving until Saturday -check beforehand. I paid the
$ 120.00, rate for that day.

     I found that most of those in attendance have plans to attend the August 15, gathering in Savannah. If one is to attend they need to forward their intentions to Harold and Helen Beddow immediately. Savannah, and the outstanding program that is scheduled will be an excellent way to celebrate our day of “history”-August 15. Just check the asphalt before stepping into the street.

     Gene Frice, F Company 
      
Dot Lubic
 
Andrew came off the respirator today and is breathing with an oxygen mask.  He has been unable to talk due to very sore throat from the tube being in but he did manage to whisper a few words, very raspy voice.  We encouraged him not to talk.  He was able to handle a few ice chips and tomorrow he will be offered some sherbet or pudding. 

He may have suspected yesterday that he was coming off the tube today because when I walked into his room, he winked at me.  I thought it might have been an eye twitch so I asked him to wink at me again and he did..........nearly every time we made eye contact.

The nurses gave him a large smiley pillow to hold against his chest when he coughs.  It is an autograph pillow also. They let us hang a smiley mobile from the ceiling so he can see it moving when he is awake. 

We are a long way from being out of the woods but every little improvement is a step forward and we are with him every step of the way with encouragement and love.  We are taking one day at the time.

Thanks for all the good wishes and especially the prayers.  They are greatly appreciated.

Dot and Cathy
Marie-Louise and Joe Spencer
 
Hi, Ben!
It was a great pleasure to share a dinner and spend some time
with you.

Going to the yearly reunion in Palm Springs

is like going to a family reunion and we miss dearly the ones
who are not there.
Please, stay well. We appreciate you immensely.
Fondly,
Marie-Louise (and Joe too)
Lory Curtis
 
Ben,
            Dad and I both got our copies of the Thunderbolt.  Please extend our heartfelt thanks to Bob Christie for a job WELL DONE!  It is an excellent issue, (as always).  As I opened my mail box, I saw the Thunderbolt there.  I can not tell the excitement that came over me.  I quickly went into the house and began to read it.  I couldn’t put it down.  My wife would say something, but I didn’t hear her.  I was too involved in reading Thunderbolt.  It really is great.  Thanks to Bob and everyone who contributes to the issues.  I especially enjoyed reading about the 517th arrival in Italy.  Also someone mentioned that if you get a chance to visit the Museum in Le Muy do it.  I can testify to that.  Dad, my brother and I visited there last June.  Michael Soldi gave us the royal treatment and showed us everything there.  He also drove us around town and showed the areas where the different Battalions landed that day on Aug 15th.  He truly is a wonderful man.  Hope he can get over here for the reunion in August. 
Best to all.
Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ, 1st BN.
Howard Hensleigh
ADear John:  Tommy Priest, communications plt leader,  is still with us.  Bob Reber, mortar, and Joe Largan, machine gun, have both passed on.  The loss of Joe McGeever was felt in the whole battalion   I was Joe Largan's assistant platoon leader and then after the jump into S. France became S-2.  I undoubtedly knew your father, but the memory does fade after so many years.  What platoon was he in?  Thanks for your interest and in your father's.  Howard H.
----- Original Message -----
From:
Sent: 4/18/2005 3:57:51 PM
Subject: Roger Williams

Thanks for your reply. I called my dad when i received the e-mail.  His name is John C. Williams Jr.   Thanks a lot.
Richard Wheeler
 
ONE OF THE BEST EMAILS I HAVE EVER RECEIVED!!  United States  ~ Air Force, Army,  Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, &  Navy!!!!!   Thank you all!!

Merle McMorrow
 
 
Dear Old-Timers
 
As I indicated in an earlier e-mail, Erma & Arnold T. have their tickets and prior to arriving in Savannah will stop in Minneapolis for a few days to visit John Krumm and then come to Fargo to visit us.  We will all leave for Savannah on August 15th.
 
My recommendation is that we take the Donation Fund and divide it by the number of visiting guests and give each one a lump sum.  I would believe the registration charge might have enough surplus in the kitty to provide the guests with complimentary tickets to the events scheduled.  The guests from Belgium were able to get tickets for about $384.  There is a "Visit USA Booklet" that allows for stops a various places.  It would not be fair if we tried to distribute the funds by reimbursing for airline tickets.
 
We still need to determine the interest of those in Le Muy and I don't have their e-mail address.  I don't think we should try to handle it by snail mail.  Howard, you probably can  call Michael and Eric to determine their interest.  Their number is 011 33 494 4512 79.  Bill Bob Christie for the call; he has lots of money.
 
Someone suggested earlier that we invite the mayors of various towns. However, the mayors change from time to time and I believe our allegiance should be to the long time supporters of our Unit
 
As I said earlier, neither Marie Gaspar or Aime Leocard are able to travel any longer.
 
                                                    Merle