Ben: 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

SAVANNAH REUNION

Helen and Hal Beddow have arranged an exciting program of activities in the historic center of Savannah, GA. Look over the list and enjoy the activities of your choice.

Dick Seitz will be our banquet speaker. Dick usually signs off "Airborne all the way". It fits Dick like a glove. He has been airborne all the way. He spent his entire Army career in airborne commands, earning his third star as commander of the 18^th Airborne Corps. We were 18^th Airborne Corps troops during and after the Battle of the Bulge. Then it was commanded by General Ridgeway who later turned defeat into victory in Korea, just like we did in the Bulge. Throughout his entire career Dick has been an inspiring leader, beginning for us as CO of the 2^nd Bn. We know he likes short speeches, but he packs a lot into a few minutes. Be on deck to hear him.

You will be able to meet our guests from Southern France and Belgium at a reception. They will make a presentation on what they are doing to perpetuate the memory of the Combat Team in achieving the liberation of their homeland. This will be your opportunity to become acquainted with them. You may also learn of their activities without making an expensive trip to Europe.

The Auxiliary amendment to the bylaws of the Association will be enacted at the Reunion business meeting. Immediately following the vote on the amendment, the Association Auxiliary will be formed. The purpose of the Auxiliary is to continue the goals of of the Association, even after our membership rolls have thinned. It will be composed of 517^th family members, male and female. We envision that the Auxiliary will elect its own officers and board of directors and that they will assist their opposite numbers, the officers and directors of the Association in achieving the objectives of the Association. At the end of the Reunion, the Auxiliary should be up and running. If you wish to participate in this new adventure, be there to help it lift off and become airborne.

 

FINANCES

Now a word about finances. Many times we have discussed and rejected levying dues on members. We like cheerful givers and have been a band of volunteers. We have made out over the years by the generosity of our members. There is a perception that we are sitting on huge piles of cash that will be given to some unknown organization when we dissolve. On two counts, this is not so. We do not have hoards of cash. And when we are through what is left is to be used to continue with our goals of keeping alive the memory of the Combat Team, its members, and its battlefield and training accomplishments. Mail Call and the Website will be carried as far into the future as eye can see. I have asked our treasurer, Bob Christie, to include an accounting in this Thunderbolt so you can see the exact numbers. It costs us about ten dollars a year to send you the Thunderbolt. Your contribution of at least this amount will tell us you appreciate receiving it. We know you will continue to do your part.

 

PARATROOPERS’ ODYSSEY

Donna Hilliard and the other members of the Silas Brown family will have copies of the Paratroopers’ Odyssey available for purchase at Savannah. This is the official history of the Combat Team, written by its members. We ran out of the original and had it reprinted. If you or your family members should have one, buy it at Savannah.

 

A BAND OF BROTHERS

Serving as your president for the past two years has been a labor of love. A love shared with all of you and brought into clearer focus by Ben Barrett, his Mail Call and Website. You have enabled me to refresh my

faith in the Combat Team and its members. You earned my respect in the heat of battle. By the way you lived your lives after we parted, you exceeded all expectations. We are truly a band of brothers. Howard Hensleigh

Entry of May 06, 2005 at 11:47 [EST]
Name: Jay Sutcliffe
Unit:
EMail: jay.j.sutcliffe
How I found the 517th page: unknown
Comments: My father James Sutcliffe was in H company, and although he was extremely proud of the 517, he rarely mention his experiences with the troopers. He past away three years ago and I think of him often. Only during his last few months did he share some of his experiences, and for the first time I could sense his pride of being apart of something as extraordinary as the PRCT. I had asked my mom the combat team he was assigned to and she thought it might be the 517, only because this was his lucky number that he played. This might give an indication as to how much we new, and the amount he shared with us. Doing a search I found your website. I wish my father was alive to see this. I had no idea of the experiences that the brave men of the 517 endured. I was familiar with the Battle of the Bulge through high school history classes, but again I had no idea what was accomplished and the amount of bravery that was put forward by the men who fought this battle. I’ve always been extremely proud of my dad but after reading through the website (I think I’ve read the entire site at this point) it only adds to the admiration. Thanks so much to the people who have put their time into this site, so that the excitement, gallantry, heroics, and patriotism that the paratroopers put out can be view by many, and captured for posterity. My father was buried with his most prized possession, his paratrooper bracelet. I wish I would have kept it, my sister has his purple heart, I saw it for the first time after he had passed away. Thanks to all of the brave men of 517 and God bless you. One Proud Son Jay Sutcliffe

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Jay , If you read this send me your complete email address. Ben

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Gene Frice