2005 Biannual Reunion
August 15-19,
2005
Savannah, GA
Registration due before July 10, 2005!
Dot Lubic
It is with a very heavy heart that I am letting
you know Andrew passed away Thursday. We brought him home on Tuesday and
had 2 days with him. Tuesday and most of Wednesday were very good
days. There was always a family member or 2 at his bedside talking with
him and holding his hand. He had trouble talking but he understand what we
were saying and would respond to us. We got to see his eyes light up at
some of the funny family things we recalled that happened over the years.
He got to pet the dogs and kitty and was so happy to be able to do that.
We had some very precious moments with Andrew. We laughed with him but we
cried alone. He is missed so very, very much.
Please let everyone
know that we appreciate all the cards and e-mail we received for him. We
read all of them to him except for those received the day he died. He
really enjoyed hearing from all his fellow troopers.
There will be a
memorial service with scattering of ashes at a later date. I will keep you
posted on that.
Cathy and I and possibly some other family members will
try to make the Savannah reunion..............Dot
Dick Seitz
For the fine men of the 517th, 460th and 596th
on this memorial day we
honor you and thank you for your dedicated service to
our nation.
Everday you men are not only in the front rank of our respect
and
admiration, but also occupy a special place in our hearts. In world
War
ll you were the cream of our nation--strong, hearty full of courage
and
spirit. truly great Americans who in the uncertain tide of battle
wrote
magnificent pages in the history of the 517th Parachute Combat
Team.
Got bless you always. Airborne all the way. Dick
Seitz
John Pastalenic
Hi Ben, thanks for your kind reply. What a coincidence! I wonder if
you would remember an incident on "my" ship - my friend, Larry
Allocco
volunteered to box three rounds against a boxer by the name of
"Irons". Irons won by points, but I know Larry would have cleaned his
clock if it were a street fight. All on board witnessed the match and I'm
hoping you were among them.
Best wishes, John Pastalenic 517
Howard Hensleigh
Dear Ben:
Tom Cross and I attended Memorial Day services here at Fleet Landing this
morning. It was a respectful, moving service with a strong military bent. Tom
wore his 517th cap and I had Frank Wakeman’s lanyard around my neck.
We had in mind all of the men who fell in Europe, and those who have departed
since then. Each one of us has a list to which we pay special tribute each year.
These special friends are the ones we would like to greet at reunions to renew
our love and respect. We are permanently denied that privilege. This binds us
closer to all those of us who remain. We still have the opportunity to greet
each other in airborne camaraderie at Savannah. We will see you there or be with
you in spirit, if you are unable to attend.
Howard Hensleigh
Kent Immerfall
Ben and the rest of the 517th Battling Buzzards...I wanted to take a Solemn
Moment to remember all of you and tell you how much I appreciate all that you
have been doing (and continue to do) to keep the "memories" of all Brave men and
women alive. On this very important day in American history please know
that my family and I have you all in our prayers. I will continue to
monitor the 517th site and, yes, I will get those pictures of Floyd and
others scanned to you one of these days. Right now those materials are in
Iowa. Floyd's 1st cousin, twice removed, asked for some "items" for a
Western Civics assignment. She will send them back and then I'll see if
any of you fellows remember who might be in the pictures. God Bless
You! Kenton Floyd Immerfall (nephew of Floyd Andrew STOTT)
Jim Lathers
Yo Ben,
Got shut out on all the options with the jump video. Get the familiar
messages " web site not responding " and " 502 connection hang up ". The last
one is some what chilling if you are thinking static line snap.
Beginning to feel like the last guy in the chow line at Camp Toccoa
when goat was on the menu.
I'm sure the problem is AOL or my old abused HP PC.
Your dedication is much appreciated and hang in there.
Jim Lathers (C Co. )
Barney Hekkala
Memorial Day 2005. Remember our buddies we left behind. Barney