From: Ben517
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2005 6:19 AM
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 961 517TH PRCT AUGUST 21, 2005
Hello,
 
 
I've  just got  back from the Savannah Reunion. Too many issues to record all in this Mail Call. However. Helen and Hal Beddow made it possible to have one of the best reunion ever.  The best view of Helen was the back of her feet. She was running most of the time. I hope others will send us their impressions of the reunion for future Mail Calls.
 
I want to mention two special guest . Frank Ramos and Morris Mc Dowell. Frank was from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense.  He presented  us with a Proclamation from President Bush and Frank has the ability to help veterans with their problems with the VA. I don't want to publish his phone or fax number in Mail Call  without his permission. I hope that he will  explain more what he can do  in a future Mail Call.  Morris is a cousin of Layton Pippin who was KIA in Bergeval. He was there to gather all the information that he could about the 517. I will tell more about Morris in future Mail Calls,
 
Our friends from Europe were also present. Irma and Arnold Targnion from Belgium. Patricia and Roland Orengo from Sospel and Robert Cohen from Nice. I will have much more to say about them in future Mail Calls.
 
Just got a message from Pat Seitz. She can sum up the reunion better than I can.
 
Ben
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Pat Seitz
 
 Dear Ben:
    We just got off the phone with Dad.  He was recounting everything that happened at the reunion.  He said it was one of the best if not the very best of all the reunions he has been to. 
    He described the many wonderful, very polished ways that Hal and Helen Bedlow organized everything from the placecards and printed menus to the press coverage (he thinks they should get the award for being truly gifted event organizers--he was quite impressed by their attention to so many sophisticated details), how outstanding the hospitality room at the hotel was, how great the DeSoto Hilton hotel and the city of Savannah were, how welcoming and thoughtful its citizens were particularly the restaurant owner who announced he was picking up the tab for dinner as he way of expressing his thanks to the men of the 517th and their many, many sacrifices, and the presence of Irma and Arnold, and the representatives of the mayor of Sospel.  He was particularly touched by the number of kids and grandkids who were there. 
    How we wished we could have been with you all in person rather than just spirit.  We had our first taste of the fun time we were missing when we spoke with Dad and Ginny last Monday night to wish Ginny a happy birthday; they told us about the fun reception and the surprise birthday wishes for Ginny. 
    What a great band of brothers you all are.  And what a superb leader Howard Hensleigh has been for the organization these past two years.  Our hats are off to you all not only for your sacrifices for freedom in WWII, but for the role models you continue to provide for us as to the importance of doing one's very best to serve others, to do justice and promote freedom, no matter what the cost.  Thank you for keeping these essential values before us as they are the foundation of our democracy.
    Dad asked me to tell you that his e-mail is down.  He will be having someone out to restore it this week, so please understand if he doesn't respond to anyone's e-mail.  I understand that you all had a great visit in the airport while you waited 3 hours.  You all are the very best. 
    Fondly,
    Pat Seitz and Alan Greer
(P.S. As an aside, thank you again for Mail Call not only for keeping us all connected, but also for giving Dad the opportunity to learn how to use the Internet.  He who was initially resistant, has become quite good at it!)
The following message is from our Belgium friends , Irma and Arnold Targnion.