From: Ben517
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 3:01 AM
Subject: MAIL CALL NO. 999 517TH PRCT-OCTOBER 26,2005
70 Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA.02025 *781 383 0215 * Mail Call : Ben Barrett  Ben517@aol.com
 
Hello,
 
I just heard from Helen Beddow who put on one of the most successful reunions ever at Savannah. She has been ill and is slowly getting up to speed for the average person, but below her own  high octane speed .
 
Ben

Website                                   www.517prct.org  
Mail Call                                 
517th Mail Call
Mail Call Archives                  
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Roster                                     www.517prct.org/roster.pdf

January 22-25, 2006
Bradenton, FL


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

Bob Christie
 
Ben, Received the results of my CT Scan. Didn't show anything out of order. Am to have bone marrow test on Tuesday, Ouch! The oncologist ordered blood test to see whether I had low grade or high grade Lymphoma. If low grade, there will be no treatment. Thanks to all for their encouragement. Bob PS. Thunderbolt should have been out a week ago. That's life.
Don Gentry
 
 
Hello Ben, I was just looking at the following letter and noticed it was only the 2nd and 3rd endorsements to the basic document and not the actual commendation letter. Probably this is just page 3 of 3.
 
This item was submitted by Heather Cowan Riley. She indicated the existence of three "RESTRICTED" notices, one of which was provided.
Is there any chance that you could get the two remaining items for your site as Heather offered? I presume this would be the justification or recognition of the unit to receive the Presidential Unit Citation or at least in part.
 
Don Gentry
Cousin of R. Baysinger, B Co

Patricia and Roland Orengo
 
the "Frenchies" Patricia and Roland Orengo, from Sospel, wish to El Harger an Happy Birthday and a lot of jump for next years...
Our best souvenir,

Gail Jeff Douglas
 
Ben --
 
My father, Herbert Jeff greatly enjoyed receiving the 517th Mail Call and since he passed away a little over a year ago, I have continued to enjoy receiving the Mail Call.  Thanks for all of your hard work in making the 517th Mail Call a possibility.  I often read postings from some of the 517th & family members that warm my heart as they remind me of how Dad loved to talk with others about his service during WWII.  Among Dad's things are quite a few photos along with letters that he wrote to his mother (my grandmother). 
 
I have scanned a few of the photos that I thought you might enjoy seeing.  Among those pictured are a few people whose names I heard through the years, but have never personally met.  Dad and I had talked several times about scanning some of his pictures for possible posting on the website, but we just never got around to it.  On the attached photos, I have typed Dad's writing from the back of the photo.
 
 
Gail Jeff Douglas, daughter of Herbert Jeff, HQ, 460th
 They will be on web site soon.-Ben

Garrett Simpson
 
Dear Mr. Marquet: I want to thank you again for assisting my son when he came to Bastogne in June to attend ceremonies for the Battle of The Bulge 60th Anniversary. As you know, he went to Belgium in lieu of his ailing grandfather, Mr. Schaal, who won the Bronze Star for his service there in 1944. As fate would have it, your email and poem, "The Final Inspection" arrived here early on Saturday, October 22d, the day we buried Mr. Schaal with military honors in Phoenix. His granddaughters read your poem aloud at his funeral. It helped make the events of that sad day even more moving.  Best wishes always, Garrett Simpson, Glendale, Arizona  

Roger Marquet <rogermarquet@skynet.be> wrote: The Final Inspection

From the web site.

PARATROOPER'S ODYSSEY

by Jack C. Casliglione

High on the deck of a flying wreck a Paratrooper stands.

 He stares straight ahead and listens with dread, as he waits those final commands.

There's a green light glow and a shout, "Let's go" as he leaps straight into space.

 There's the thrill of the drop -- the hard opening shock

And the starlight shows fear on his face.

A quick sigh of relief, then he thinks of the rest,

To be met when he reaches the ground.

Then he looks far below, for a safe p/ace to go

From the shells that are bursting around.

There's a rip and a slash, and hard jamming crash

And his canopy hangs from a tree

 Though in a poem I can’t show it

‘Cause the guy in the chute was me.

In a state of collapse, I unbuckled my straps and I shakily rose from the sod,

No bones were broken, the night is a cloak and I offer a prayer to God.

Then an enemy gun sets me off on the run as I hastily hunt our CP

You can think what you please, but I'm weak at the knees

 Cause the Jerries are hunting for me.

They say in this war that we're fighting for

All the good things in life and for freedom

But the crazy galoot in the parachute won't live so long as to need 'em!