hey there, Ben -
We just got home yesterday afternoon from a wonderful
reunion. I hereby nominate Helen Beddow for President and Leader of the
Free World. If the rest of us would just get out of her way, she could
move the earth. She and Hal did an absolutely wonderful job and I can see
that they have decided to be event planners in their
retirement. There was such attention to detail and everything was
just fantastic. The excursions were well-chosen, the flow of the week
perfect, and the city very welcoming EVERYWHERE we went. They have every
right to be proud of Savannah and to want to show it off. It is a
beautiful city filled with charming people.
It was special to see so many old friends and to
make new ones. It was especially good to see the crowd that went to France
last summer: Merle and Marty McMorrow, Lud Gibbons and Mardy Donahoo (am I
spelling that right?), Gene Frice and his daughters, and Leo Dean, and of course
my dad Allan Johnson. We missed Jesse Davis, who was the 6th trooper
on that trip last summer.
There were only a few present from Dad's unit, the
596. Don and Jan Saunders left right after I arrived, so I look forward to
getting caught up with them at the Florida mini in January. Also from the
596 was Lyle Madison and George Mitchell, and I was happy to meet Dad's
buddies.
As always, I loved all the encounters with people
in the hospitality suite. There, I hear wonderful stories every day, and
it all contributes to a fuller picture of all of your war service.
There were also other members of the second
generation. Over the last few reunions and gatherings, we've gotten to
know each other, and it's always good to see them. This reunion saw the
establishment of the 517 Auxiliary, and Gary Davis (the son) spoke at
the banquet about securing your legacy and preserving your history. There
will be more on that in the near future.
From Belgium, we were so happy to meet Irma and Arnold
Targnion. They are lovely, and we must include Belgium in our plans for
next summer. We were also happy to meet our Sospel friends
Patricia and Roland Orengo, as well as Robert Cohen from Nice. I was
fortunate enough to sit next to Robert at the banquet, and he was so kind about
my mangling of his beautiful French language. As I tell friends, I only
know enough French to get into trouble, and not enough to get out of
trouble. He presented me with a pin of the flags of our nations,
which I will wear with pride and affection, and the memory of a wonderful
evening.
The highlight of the banquet was General Seitz and
his remarks at the dinner Friday night. I had never heard him speak, and I
wonder if anyone has a full videotape of his speech, because it was
wonderful. He summarized the history of the 517 and
its contributions, and spoke movingly of his respect for the
paratroopers. The reunion had been visited on Friday night by local news,
and there was a piece on the 11 o'clock news that night featuring General Seitz
and Leo Dean. I'm expecting a video copy of it, and was assured by the
station that copies could be made for my personal use. Why Leo,
you might ask? Well, I think it's because he threw himself out of a plane
that day. Leo and Dad made it back in time to change - quickly - for the
banquet because Leo did a tandem skydive from 10,500 feet only hours
before dinner. Dad went to take pictures only (it was all I could do to
get him on a plane in 1999 to visit France!).
And as always, Ben, we send our love and thanks to
you. We were happy to meet Bob, our webmaster, and missed Fran
greatly. Ben, we report in to you and you're the glue and the foot in the
future of the 517.
There are still troopers being found after all these
years. If there's a buddy you'd like to find, have a computer-savvy
friend, child or grandchild help you start the search. Sometimes they're
closer than you think.
We're looking forward to the Florida mini, the Palm
Springs mini, and Portland next summer. More reunions mean more
opportunities to get caught up with friends and make new ones! Plan on
coming to them all, and watch Mail Call for announcements.
Claire Giblin, daughter of Allan Johnson, 596
Phil McSpadden
Hi Ben....this was the first big reunion I have
attended, but, believe me, it won't be the last. It took me a long
time to make connections, but it was great to greet old friends and make new
ones. In my 'civilian' life, I have attended a number of conventions, most
of them with big bucks behind them, but I have never been to one with so much to
offer, and run so smoothly. A toast to Hal and Helen. One
thing I hope to see at future conventions are decals, golf flags, pins, hats and
things of that nature for sale. I still have a little room on my golf cart
and rear end of my car, and I'm saving it for something that says 517 in big
letters. Thanks to all of you. It was a great week, and I'd like to
hear from some of you...soon. Airborne! Phil
McSpadden
Jay Sutcliffe
Bob,
I talked to Lori Riddle last
night, wife of Kevin. I did a look up on Yahoo and got his phone number, I
could walk to his house from where I work. One of my office friends lives
around the corner from him and will put the picture in his mail box.
As it turns out, both my
father and Mr. Riddle were from Camden, NJ, I knew there had to be a
connection.
Bob. I can't tell you enough how much I
appreciate your website. The first thing I do each morning is open the
sight to see if anything new was added. Please pass on my appreciation to
your father. And thanks for your help with locating Kevin Riddle.
Thanks
Jay
Stevin Oudshoom (Our Netherlands friend who
cares for the graves at Margraten)
Thanks Ben, I really appreciate
it. Anthony is on line now. I will let you know when I added the other 517th
men.
Stevin
Lory Curtis
Ben,
Just saw the information about 517th troopers being
buried at Margraten. I am sorry, but I do not recognize that
name. I am assuming it must revolve around action at the Battle of the
Bulge. Can you or someone else give me more information. Can I read
any of this in Paratrooper Odyssey?
Also what information can you give me
on the new auxiliary. Do I have to apply for membership?
Lory V.
Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ 1st BN
*****************
Men, buried at Margraten:
BANEY JAMES L
PFC 42020822 NY February 8, 1945 C 21 9 NE
HAYES
FRANK W CPL 32835125 NY February 8, 1945 F 6 14 NE
MANLEY ANTHONY P PVT 39723963 CA February 8, 1945 G 15 17 NE
REA
THOMAS L 1LT O-453737 CA February 9, 1945 L 3 16
NE
RICE EVERETT J PVT 33535567 OH February 7, 1945 O 19 8
NE
STEVENS LEONARD D PFC 35770181 KY February 3, 1945 G 17 14 NE
WOODHULL, ROBERT P Capt 460
PFAB
F 08 01 NE
**********
These men were all KIA in the last or near the last day of combat for the 517 at
Bergstein-Ben
Bob Dalrymple
Dear Ben : Thanks for your quick summary of the
reunion . I look forward to more in the T- BOLT. Bob
Betty Traver
What a wonderful reunion that
Helen and Hal put
together for the 517th.
We truly enjoyed the southern hospitality. A most memorable time was had by all and
the tribute to the 517th performed by
Helen's summer choir
(the voices of angels) shall never be
forgotten.
It was great to see old and new
friends and we hope to meet again in Portland next
year.
Myrle is also interested
in obtaining a copy or video of General Seitz speech.
Thank you again for the marvelous
reunion. Betty Traver ( F.
Co)