...
> The command works well with the first time thru the loop, but
> then exits the loop and aborts.  Can anyone see what I'm doing wrong here?
...
> : while setvar(rec_cntr,rec_cntr+1) <= !jabrt
...
> :  hpemail
>    JOB ABORTED
>    !msg
>    [log in to unmask]
     ^^^^^ the above 3 lines are most likely the problem ^^^^^
>...
> : endwhile
...
> :eoj

You cannot provide "inline" data inside a CI while loop.
Try creating a temp input file for the HPEMAIL script, e.g.:
   ...
   echo JOB ABORTED >mailin
   echo !msg       >>mailin
   echo 602nnnn... >>mailin
   hpemail <mailin
   ...

regards,
 Jeff Vance, CSY