A change has been made to the activities being held on Saturday, July 11, 2009.  Originally, we were scheduled to have a city tour, but most recently a businessman who has the largest private collection of World War II tanks and equipment in the World found out the 517^th PRCT was holding their last National Reunion in Salt Lake City.  This generous man has graciously offered to pay all expenses for our group to come to his facility and see his very large collection of weaponry.  He will provide the buses to transport us to his World War II site located in Tooele Utah (about 30 miles west of Salt Lake City), sandwiches, drinks, and a guided tour of his tanks and equipment.   His staff will put on a demonstration of the operations of a tank and some equipment.    Mike Wells, a reunion committee member has been to this site and was most impressed with this collection of World War II U.S., German and Japanese equipment.    

Finally, this gracious gentleman asked if there was anything else he could do for our group.  Mike Wells asked him if he could have a group perform a parachute jump.   A telephone call was quickly made and a parachute jump will be performed while we visit his facility. 

We as your Salt Lake Reunion Committee are working very hard to provide you with a great reunion.     We hope you will enjoy this activity as we see it as a highlight of our reunion.  When we met with this businessman we found he has a genuine love and respect for World War II veterans, and wants to honor the troopers of the 517^th by hosting them at his facility. 

Our goal as sons, daughters, relatives, and friends of the 517^th is the same as this businessman.  To honor and remember what these great men did for us and our country.  Our Veterans should enjoy this tour very much.  See you in Salt Lake City in July.

Your Reunion Committee

Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ, 1^st BN,

Michael Wells, son of Chester Wells, H Co, 3^rd BN

Debra Coates, daughter of Robert F. West, HQ, 2^nd BN