From: Ben517
Sent: Sat, 14 May 2005 5:47:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 899 517TH PRCT- MAY 14, 2005

Hello,
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!
Tom Chaney
 
Ben, haven't connected with the group in a while but enjoy the Mail Call.  Exchange emails with Floyd Polk and Bob Cooper, who served with my dad, on occasions. Been trying to make it to a Florida mini for 3 years; but something always seems to come up. Dad and his old best bud Polack, aka Raymond Levandowski always talked about their 517 exploits!  I knew Dad had served in North Africa before going to Europe; but until I found this group, I didn't  know that he was a replacement.  Any one else out there remember Bill Chaney from D company, or transferred in from North Africa before the big push. I know Dad was in the 517 early because he went through Anzio. He never said to much about the Battle of the Bulge, other than he was wounded twice. Any info appreciated; Grand children want to know. Only thing I really remember about his N Africa tour was that there was Captain C.C. Delmonico of the Delmonico restaurant fame, who had apparently gotten one of his chefs in the same outfit, and that Dad and him at that time were both cooks; but that Delmonico's man could make anything taste great. I heard  this story a many a time! Anyone else?
Bill Chaney Jr
Juliana Stonis
 
Hi Ben,

Our deepest sympathies to Leo's family.

Juliana Stonis
Polly and Ray Hess

Good Morning Ben: My Wife and I. send our condolences to Joyce on the death of Leo.  Best Wishes Polly & Ray R. Hess 

Neal McAfee
 
Hello Mr Barrett,
 
I'm still looking for more information on my Great Uncle (Cleo Nelson Browning). I still don't understand why he was listed as "FOD" and not "KIA" . I've included an email I received from Mike Spano.
 
Thank you,
 
Neal McAfee
 
 
NEAL......I WAS IN A FOX HOLE WITH BROWNING IN MANHAY WHEN FRED BEYER ASKED THAT I SWITCH FOX HOLES WITH HIM. I THINK FRED WIPED OUT THE SWITCH   FROM HIS MIND BECAUSE IT RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF HIS ARM. HE WANTED THE SWITCH BECAUSE HE AND BROWNING WERE GOOD FRIENDS, SO HE TOLD ME. BEYER AND I DIDN'T KNOW EACH OTHER PRIOR  TO JUMPING INTO THOSE ALREADY DUG FOXHOLES. I DIDN'T KNOW HIS NAME WHEN I TOLD THE STORY ABOUT THE P-38 DROPPING A 100 POUNDER AND BLOWING OFF HIS ARM. AND HE DIDN'T KNOW MINE. I REMEMBER THE NAME BROWNING BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT REFERRED TO HIS BEING A BAR MAN [BROWNING AUTOMATIC  RIFLE]. AS IT TURNED OUT IT WAS HIS NAME. I SPENT THE NIGHT OF THE ATTACK WITH BROWNING IN THE FOX HOLE BEFORE MAKING THE SWITCH. I REMEMBER BOTH OF LAUGHING A LOT FOR REASONS THAT ESCAPE ME NOW. WE HAD MODIFIED OUR. FOX HOLE WITH A SHELF LOADED WITH HAND GRENADES. I REMEMBER SHOOTING A CHICKEN WITH MY M-1 AND THE BRASS RUNNING OUT BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A COUNTERATTACK. LIKE I SAID. THE ONLY REASON I MADE THE SWITCH WITH BEYER WAS THAT BEYER SAID BROWNING WAS HIS CLOSE BUDDY.  WHEN THE SHELL BLEW OFF BEYER'S ARM I THOUGHT BROWNING WAS KILLED BY THAT SAME BOMB. I CAN'T TELL YOU MUCH MORE THAN THAT. IN BATTLE YOU NEVER KNOW  WHO YOU WILL END UP IN A FOX HOLE WITH, ESPECIALLY IN A NIGHT ATTACK .I WISH I COULD TELL YOU MORE. I DON'T KNOW WHY HE WASN'T LISTED AS KIA. MAYBE CLARK ARCHER CAN HELP YOU. HE IS THE 517TH HISTORIAN...........MIKE SPANO
Bob Cooper
Ben:
Least we forget
Bob
 
Bucky Simmons
 
       The Toccoa/Stephens County Historical Society  would like to invite you to attend our third annual Camp Toccoa Reunion and Reenactments. Camp Toccoa now made famous by "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan" was the birthplace of the 501st, 506th, 511th, and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments. We will have Veterans, or their families, from all four regiments attend along with Veterans of all conflicts since WWII. The 506th and 501st Vietnam - present day will also have men attend, as well as 101st, 82nd, Rangers, and most other units of the U.S. Army. 
    This year we are expanding the focus for our reunion and reenactments to include all WWII units. Allied, and Axis. We are having great response throughout the U.S. and Europe. There will be onsite camping and display areas for reenactment groups.  Every group that attends are invited to take part in the battles. We will have several hundred re-enactors take part along with several different military vehicle associations.
    There will also be displays, and aircraft from today's military. The event will take place at the Toccoa Airport, October 6-9, 2005. We also invite re-enactors and veterans to visit our local schools on Friday.  If you ,or someone you know that might be interested please invite them, along with Veterans of all wars.
2005 will be a reunion to remember as this years reunion will include the Grand Opening of the New Toccoa/Stephens County Historical Society Museum. The museum will be housed in the restored Toccoa train depot where most men who trained at Camp Toccoa first came into town. Another event will be the unveiling of the stables used for quarters by first A, then E company of the 506th P.I.R  brought "across the pond" from Aldborne England, which will be located inside the museum building.
This has been a $325,000 + dollar project, that is being raised by donations and proceeds from past reunions.  We hope everyone who can, will attend the weekend events !
For registration info and agenda of events check on www.camptoccoareunion.com ,or contact me at: Bucky@camptoccoareunion.com  or (706)-282-0507.
2004 reunion photos- www.screamingeagles.com    Photo Gallery.
Thank You,
 
Bucky Simmons
Vice President, Toccoa/Stephens County Historical Society
Toccoa, Georgia. United States
 
 
For Registration Info:   Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce
                                                         P.O. Box 577
                                                 Toccoa, Georgia 30577
                                        706-886-2132; (Fax #) 706-886-2133
                                                 toccoaga@alltel.net
                                           www.toccoagachamber.com
 
Information at : www.toccoahistory.com
               www.camptoccoareunion.com
 
Accommodations:
Apple Orchard Inn 706-779-7292                              Country Hearth Inn 706-297-7799
Days Inn                706-886-9461                           Toccoa Inn & Suites  706-886-1048
Simmons-Bond Inn 706-282-5183                            Trembly Bald Mtn. Cabins 706-886-9069
Toccoa RV Park      706-886-2654                            Camp Mikell Cabins          706-886-7515
Mtn. Lakes Vacation Rental 1-800-610-0020
 
Access to Toccoa: AMTRAK; LeToureau Field (local 4000 ft. runway with jet fuel & maintenance); Hartsfield Int. Airport (92 miles); Greenville-Spartanburg Int. Airport (60 miles) ; I-85 (10 miles); 365/441 (10 miles)
 
ALSO LOOK FOR CURRAHEE CHALLENGE INFORMATION.