2005 Biennial Reunion
August 15-19, 2005
Savannah, GA

Registration due now

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

Copies of Paratroopers' Odyssey can be purchased for $22.50 from Bob Christie. 390 301 Blvd. W. Unit 10C, Bradenton, Fl. 34205

Airborne Paratroopers of the Fifties Click on and turn up volume.

Walter Smith

Hi Ben, My second call to Stewart Steele got me a busy signal but I will call again before Savannah. The most info I have gotten was voiced in #951 MAIL CALL by both Barney Hekkala and Bud Curtis' son, Lory. Back in the eighties on our 517 trip to South France, Col Boyle at the old Roseline (sp?) CP where we had a grand reception by the French people, the Col. responded to my query about Steele the same info, that Bob Steele ended up in California, but Boyle was unable to locate him. In the 951 Mail Call, Barney did have an inkling that Bob Steele may have ended in South America as an Engineer of some kind. Of course you read those since you included them in Mail Call.
You said that all you did was give me a phone number. Ben, the fact that you are always there and quick with the reply. I do some volunteer chores but with you it is a full time job! God bless all of the 517ers who have carried this organization through the past years, you among them
Walt Smith, Hq 1st

Bob Christie

Ben, I received a call this morning from Bob James(3/4 of my name). He wanted to know where he could get 517th paraphernalia, such as hats, etc. I know the hats were ordered years ago by Bill Lewis and are long gone. As for anything else, if anyone has any info, contact Bob James: at (352)683-4485. He lives in Spring Hill, FL. See you in 15 days, Bob

Bruce Wyatt

Hello Ben

Here is a great web link for information relating to the military and other information that member of the 517th might be able to use.

The member of the 517th can subscribe to the web link its free and will be sent to their e-mail accounts. It is a service provided by the military.

The web link is: www.military.com

Or

The HTTP link is: http://images.military.com/NL_WK/1,14845,2447,00.html

Bruce Wyatt

Walter Smith

Hi Ben, it is midnight here in Columbus and I am still up and just finished getting almost a two hour download of aol 9 version. It is now that I opened the mail window and saw your message concerning Robert Steele and a possible phone number which you have tried. I certainly will make a few attempts over the weekend. Hope we strike gold! Walter

Dorothy Harms
Please add Harold E Harms to the Mail Call list. He served in the 517th Company A from July of 44 until 1946. He lives in Girard Illinois and is interested in hearing from buddies that served with him.

Dorothy Harms

J.R. "Ray" Estrella

Hello Ben, my name is J.R. "Ray" Estrella. I am respectfully requesting that my e-mail address be put in the 517th e-mail address roster. I am associated with the 517 in three (3) ways: 1. My father-in-law-Bert G. Duran was in Company A of the 517 during the Battle of the Bulge 2. My CO when I was in 12th Special Forces was Captain, now Col. Gene Frice. 3. I am the founding president of Chapter 78-Special Forces Association here in Southern California. We named our chapter after a 517 man, Lt Col Frank J. Dallas. Col Dallas has played a very important part in our Special Forces history. He holds the distinction of holding the number 1 place and coin for the Decaders, the founding members of Special Forces in 1952. I am also requesting information on the soon to be formed support organization for the 517th. I am willing to help in anyway possible. Thank You--J.R. "Ray" Estrella azyaquijre@aol.com. Airborne All The Way

Joe Richardson

Dear Ben"

I noticed in this Mail Call the note from Mr. Frederic Brega. I would be happy to discuss the photo and some others we have. Please forward my email address to him. richardsonlbi@comcast.net Thank you, joe.

Dear Ben, there is no need for you to forward my email address. I noticed further down in the Mail Call Mr Braga's email address. I will correspondent with him. Thank you , joe

Jim Mortensen

Ben

We suffered a big loss last night. Corporal J.G. Ward (HQ, 460th) finally
succumbed to cancer late last evening. He was my radio operator and special
friend. And, thanks to your web site, one found after we lost contact with
each other.

I last visited JG and Mary on August 15, 2004, as I returned from a family
reunion in Wyoming. Needless to say we toasted the 60th anniversary of our
leap into France and had a wonderful time. The day after I left their house,
he began chemo and radiation treatments. And it was all to no avail.

The family plans a memorial service in Houston. I'll forward the details as
soon as they are available.

Jim Mortensen

Joyce Turco

Hi Ben,

I got a surprise phone call from Mel Fox of A Battery 460th who read that Leo passed away in the Static Line. It was so nice to hear from him as he has not been able to make the reunions for a few years. Leo always liked Mel a lot and I found him to be a great guy when he was at reunions we attended together. He said he heard from Charlie Cook who told him he was moving back to Alaska. Otherwise he did not know about these letters you do on a daily basis as he does not have a computer. He is suffering from back and hip problems and is going for a MRI and possible surgery. The "wonderful" side benefits of age. I do not know if he even know about the 517th web site but I will be writing to him and send him the information in case his daughter he mentioned has a computer.

Also, received a nice note from Cameron and Phoebe Gauthier as they also did not know of Leo's passing. I believe they are going to attend the reunion. I asked them to give our regards to all our "friends" at the reunion.

Hope you are doing well. Our youngest daughter just went back to Rochester, NY after a 10 day visit with me. It was so nice to be together alone. Her husband who is a great guy needed to stay home to take care of his garden and dog. They will all be coming to be with me in Sept. when it would have been Leo's 85th birthday. They have been coming every year and our daughter from CA loves it as the sisters get to spend time together. Our son is in bad condition in the hospital from a stroke and Diabetes. Seems he is going to have to go back to a nursing home. They tried him at home but he needs Dialysis and still not able to walk good. He is only going to be 62 in Jan. so has not been in very good medical conditions for some time. Very sad.

Best wishes to you and everyone in the 517th.

Joyce Turco