From: Ben517
Sent: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 11:35:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 963 517TH PRCT AUGUST 23, 2005

Hello,
 
Still trying to catch up on old mail.
 
Members of the Auxiliary can send me information about the new organization and I'll place it in Mail Call.
website                                   www.517prct.org  
Mail Call                                  Ben517@aol.com
Mail Call Archives                 www.517prct.org/archives
Roster                                    www.517prct.org/roster.pdf  
Jean Loup
 
Does anybody in the 517th (particularly Howard
Hensleigh) remember a person named Lt Comeaux, from
Louisiana, who's wife died in a car accident while the
517th was in positions in southern France? He then
went back to the States.

Jean-Loup Gassend
                                           **********
Jean is a French friend who found Marvin Moles helmet.-Ben
Stevin Oudshoom
 
Hello Ben,
 
We were in contact last year regarding the 517th Men buried at Margraten. I have been fortunate to have been in contact with several veterans who were able to tell me about some of the guys buried here. As you know, I have Capt. Woodhull on line already. I am about to add Pvt. Anthony Manley. I would like to ask you if you don't mind that I use the 517th RCT patch from your site and some information I got from your site. The page I have prepared for Pvt. Manley you can visit at http://www.basher82.nl/Data/margraten/manley.htm
 
If you want I can mail you the pictures of the graves of all 517th men buried at Margraten, maybe you can use them on your site. I also hope to prepare the pages of the other 517th men in the near future to add to my site.
 
I look forward to hear from you if you are happy with the page and can give permission to use the materials from your website.
 
Kind regards,
 
Stevin Oudshoorn
www.basher82.nl
                                                            **********
Stevin is our friend from the Netherlands who cares for the graves of 517 members at the Magraten cemetery,-Ben 
Darrell Egner
 
I called Hunter McDonald Sunday morning to tell him what a wonderful Reunion he missed.  He was up on his Island in Canada where he spends every summer with an out door biffy, no electricity but lots of fish.
 
When I told him about the great speech Dick Seitz gave he asked if he could get a copy.  I told him Dick didn't use any notes, he talked from his heart.  That night he called me back and asked if anyone recorded it or Video tapped it.  I couldn't answer that question.  He asked me to find out and he would pay any amount to get a copy.  I am sure others of us would like to have a copy if one exists.  Hopefully it was recorded.
 
Please if any one has this information please let me know and I will pass it on to the Hermit on his Island.  Hunter has a cell phone but only turns it on two hours per day but he will answer my voice mail messages.
 
Thanks much,
 
Darrell Egner
HQ 2nd Batt.
Bob Barrett
 
As much as I enjoyed the reunion, I really didn't get to spend enough time with the right people.  Because I got there late in the week, I missed all the Auxiliary org meetings, most of which occurred before I got there.  I am now on their Board and listed as Historian.  I need to catch up with Steve Gomez, the real historian, on his thoughts.  As you know, I don't have the time for too much additional work right now beyond maintaining the web site, but in the future I need to spend more time with the rest of the group, to get to know them and to help advise them if I can.  I think that the group has the energy to drive the future of the whole 517th history and probably take more of the load for future events, as well as alumni relations and budgeting.
Tom Reber
 
Dear Ben,
 
I also wish to thank and congratulate the Beddows.  I thank them for their tireless (where does Helen get all of that energy anyway?) efforts to put on such a splendid event and to also congratulate them for being the highest examples of ambassadors for Savannah.  Beautiful city, beautiful reunion and a great time had by all.
 
Could I get the name of the pub owner and the Irish singer ("time for another toast"), please?  Does anyone have that information?
 
Thanks,

Tom Reber
son of Lt. Bob Reber HQ 3rd
Chris Lindner
 
Hi Everyone!
I want to say a huge ?THANK YOU? to Helen and Hal Beddow for putting on one of the best reunions.  I am sure Helen and Hal could use a nice vacation at this point.
It was such a pleasure to see so many of the veterans and their families attend the reunion.
GENERAL SEITZ?\'S SPEECH WAS WONDERFUL.  We are all very lucky that General Seitz's takes such an interest in the 517th family.  His speech touched on so many wonderful moments of the pride and determination that all of you veterans must have had during your service with the 517 PRCT.
I am also glad that the 517 association approved the auxiliary.  Lou Darden will be a perfect President.  All of the people involved in the auxiliary are truly excited about it and they have so many wonderful ideas that they would like to start.
It is a honor to know that my Dad (Nate Rubenstein) fought with the 517th PRCT.  You all are an extremely special group of people and you are such a joy to be with.
Chris Lindner
Fritz and Audrey Coffman
Audrey and I would like to say Thank You to Helen and Hal for the great reunion last week. We enjoyed everything and do appreciate the work that went into all that was involved in running something like that. My old 517th hat off to you .
 
Fritz and Audrey Coffman  Hdq. 2nd
Jim Royer
 
Helen and Hal put on one of the most memorable reunions since we have
been attending(10 of the past 11). The salute to Veterans was
outstanding. Those of us who went to  Kevin Barry's Irish pub, will
never forget the great Irish singer, and the owner, Vic Power. When I
spoke to him, and thanked him for his outstanding gesture, his reply
was, "You guys did a great job and prevented me from learning to speak
German or Japanese."   "Let's have another toast"  to Helen and Hal.
                                              Jim Royer