From: Ben517
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 4:05 AM
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 939 517TH PRCT--JULY11, 2005
Hello,
2005 Biennial Reunion
August 15-19, 2005
Savannah, GA

Registration due before July 10, 2005!


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

Tom Cross
 
 Ben:
    I hate to be the bearer of bad news but judging from what I saw on the reverse side of your Liberty  Pass for Nice from the 517th CT dated December 3,1944 you are still AWOL since you did not return the Pass stub to your Commanding Officer.
    The question still unanswered is: Are you going to turn yourself  in after being AWOL for 61 years or do one of us guys have to step up to the plate and do it for the honor of the Regiment. Shame on you Trooper Ben.
Sort of Regards, Black Tom
                                                      *******
Sorry Tom, but Lt. Bennett  was not around when I got back to our bivouac area. We soon took a joy ride to Soissons and Lt. Richard Jackson was the new unit commander. Ed Athey has been trying to locate James Bennet for over 61 years.  I will gladly turn in the pass or a facsimile to him if you can locate him.-Ben
Bob Christie
 
 Ben, when I read my morning paper, one of the first pages I turn to to is the obits page. Yesterday, as I opened to that page, WOW!!, I must have passed on. There it was "Robert E. (Bob) Christie. But , of course it wasn't me, it had the wrong middle initial. Mine is "F".  When I went to church, everyone look surprised, not. But it did make a good conversation piece. My buddy "Andy Lee" the big fisherman and graybeard called me from the Div. of Forestry office. He said they had been getting calls the last two days, thinking I had left the earth. Hope I didn't disappoint anyone when they found out it wasn't me. Life is "Fun", ain't it? Bob
                                                      *************
Ben, We had two great-granddaughter's recently. One in Washington State and one in New Hampshire and both were named Emily after Mildred's mother.  How about that! Bob

Pat Seitz
 
Dear Ben: 
    How thoughtful of Howard to wish us bon voyage (I'm practicing my French!).  I hope he, you and the rest of the 517th know you will very much be with us.   We bought a digital camera and with the help of my law clerks when we return, I hope to be able to share some pictures for the reunion. 
    Alan and I had hope to be able to come to this reunion, but unfortunately since the reunion is during the week it looks like I will be in trial.  If a miracle occurs, then we will try plan "B," but we would only know at the very last minute.
    Pat Seitz and Alan Greer
Dan Smith
 
Dear Ben,
 
      Best regards to Fran. Pat and I will attend Savannah with Florence Mehegan.  Thanks for properly calling it a biennial reunion  vice biannual. Hopefully the reunions will continue without the misnomer.  
                                                                                  
                                                                                           Dan Smith
                                                                                            Hqs lst 517
                                                                   **********
I think that Jim Royer first brought this matter to our attention.-Ben

Dot Gleisberg
 
We are still at Cindy's but will probably head home today.  Our house and new roof came thru just fine according to my neighbor.  There is no electricity but phones are working so won't be online for a few days after returning home.

Will be in touch when power is restored.  Thanks for being concerned about us..................Dot
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From the 517 Website
         

This is a copy of a poem by Richard Spencer with Art Riddler's name on it. (Riddler was KIA in Southern France in 1944.)  This is from Howard Hensleigh's scrapbook, possibly from an old copy of the Thunderbolt.