Inside Honoring the Men of the Blackhorse
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ThunderThunder RunRun Vol. 24 – NO. 1 “Together Then – Together Again” 1st Quarter, 2009 The 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia ON THE ROAD TO SNUOL 2009 Runion Big Election By Mike “Doc” Rafferty When we entered Snoul, we by Secretary Frank R. Cambria (G Troop, 69-70) he 11th ACVVC has five elected Officer uring the first week of May 1970, found the NVA were wait- Tand Director terms expiring on 12/31/09. second squadron was driving ing for us. It seemed like As of this writing, at least two of these mem- Dtowards the town of Snuol which is bers of the Board of Directors announced located at the crossroads of highway 7 and there was firing coming at us that they would not be seeking reelection. 13 in Cambodia. I was the 3rd platoon from all parts of the town. The 11th ACVVC medic in G troop at the time. I remember 11th ACVVC members attending the we stopped at an abandoned Cambodian raised off the ground on wooden poles sev- Officers are General Meeting on village located on highway 7 on our way to eral feet high. I entered one of the houses elected to two- Saturday morning at Snuol. I took the opportunity to explore the and noticed the owners must have left in a year terms, and the 2009 Reunion will village. The houses were constructed of select by majority vote great hurry because I observed several per- Directors to bamboo with thatched roofs and they were the most qualified can- Please turn to SNUOL on page 6 three-year terms. didates to fill the fol- lowing Board of Honoring the Men of the Blackhorse Directors positions, each listed with the incumbent’s total years serving on the Board in various capacities: President, currently Allen Hathaway – 16 yrs Vice President, currently Pete Walter – 9 yrs Secretary, currently Frank Cambria – 15 yrs Treasurer, currently Ollie Pickral – 23 yrs Director, currently Rod George – 4 yrs Nomination with acceptance for candi- dates to fill the above positions may be mailed or emailed to me as Secretary who will post them on a preliminary ballot in the next issue of Thunder Run. Nominations Original dedication of the Blackhorse Monument at Blackhorse Basecamp Fall, 1967. (Courtesy of Christian may also be made and accepted from the J. Buehler, HHT Regt. 1967). Please see the renovated Monument in this issue of TR (page 13). Please turn to ELECTION on page 6 From the Command Track....................................................2 Scholarship Update ............................................................15 Are You a Member? ............................................................5 Reunion Golf News..............................................................15 Editor’s Corner ....................................................................7 Chaplain’s Corner................................................................16 Your 11 ACVVC Funds ........................................................7 Blackhorse Hoofbeats..........................................................17 Meet Our 2008 Scholarship Winners....................................8 11th ACVVC Donations........................................................18 Scholarship Winners............................................................9 Inside Reflections ..........................................................................21 News From Past Scholarship Winners..................................9 A Tribute to Fallen Brothers..................................................22 Incoming ............................................................................9 1st Quarter Journey to Fiddler’s Green ..................................................24 11th Armored Cavalry Memorial Restoration Donations ......9 Women’s Corner ................................................................26 11th ACVVC Reunion XXIV, Santa Clara, CA ........................10 2009 Stars Stripes and Battle ......................................................27 Santa Clara Reunion ............................................................10 Saluting the Flag: 2008........................................................27 11th ACVVC Reunion XXIV: Registration Form......................11 11th ACVVC QM Store ........................................................28 Circle of Honor and Memorial Bricks....................................12 Welcome Aboard ................................................................30 Scholarship Application ......................................................14 From the Quartermaster ......................................................32 www.11thCavNam.com From The Command Track By Allen Hathaway, President he first leg of our T2009 Scholarship As president, I am pleased to report that the overall fundraising activities state of the 11th ACVVC is excellent. We continue to be successful in many areas; Allen Hathaway, kicked off in early reunion attendance, treasury, membership, quartermaster, website, newsletter and President December with the scholarships to name a few. mailing of our annual calendar to all members. The 2009 11th ACVVC calendar once again featured 12 successful and memorable reunion reunion by keeping a few things in mind: new photos submitted by our members. The Hyatt Regency Santa Clara is a Mail your registration early and avoid the The calendar also contains significant great location for the 2009 reunion. This late registration fee. Reserve your hotel historical events of your regiment in is an excellent opportunity for a short room early. Hotel reservations can be Vietnam. vacation. Nearby San Francisco is cancelled up to 24 hours prior to check- in. Many have already made their reser- Our Scholarship Fund is a separate, famous for its landmarks, including the vations. Be sure to contact old friends self sufficient fund. That is, all scholar- Golden Gate Bridge; Fisherman’s Wharf; early giving them plenty of time to make ships awarded as well as the printing and Alcatraz Island; the cable cars; Coit their plans to attend. Contact any board mailing cost associated with the calendar Tower and Chinatown. The bay area is member if you need help finding an old are paid directly from donations made to home to sports teams such as baseballs friend. Finally, come prepared to enjoy the Scholarship Fund. Membership dues Giants and Oakland A’s and football yourself! are not used to pay for the calendar. The 49’ers and Raiders. There are many number of scholarships awarded each wineries in the Santa Clara Valley that As president, I am pleased to report year depends on the total donations made offer tours and tastings. Final arrange- that the overall state of the 11th ACVVC during that year. ments are being made for San Francisco is excellent. We continue to be successful area tours. You are encouraged to take in many areas; reunion attendance, treas- For 2009 a portion of all calendar advantage of some of these tours. More ury, membership, quartermaster, website, donations will be used to offset the near- details are posted on our website and will newsletter and scholarships to name a ly $25,000 debt remaining for the repair be in the next newsletter. Please sign up few. and restoration of the 11th Cavalry early as space is limited. Memorial at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Our treasury is solvent. The invest- While the calendar you received is unso- The 11th Cavalry is no stranger to this ments made over the years are guaran- licited, we ask that you make the most part of California. The regiment was sta- teed and safe investments. The invest- generous tax-deductible donation that tioned at the Presidio of Monterey in ments were made to ensure we will con- you can. I once again appeal to your gen- 1919 and remained there for over two tinue to have operating funds for the erosity as we ask for donations to support decades. It was here that the regiment got future of this organization. Currently we our Scholarship Program and Memorial its nickname “The Blackhorse rely on two main sources of operating Restoration Fund. All donations of any Regiment”. During this time the regiment income: membership dues and quarter- amount are welcomed and tax deductible. also received its Grant of Arms or master sales. There may be a time in the An envelope is included with the calen- “Allons” crest. On 14 September 1924, future when we need to draw on these dar for your convenience to mail your “the Great Monterey Oil Fire” erupted investments if membership or quarter- donations. Your donation ensures that and lasted for five days. The 11th master sales decline. We ask that you you will continue to receive a calendar Cavalry assisted in the fire fighting support both of these areas. We continue each year. effort. Two Blackhorse troopers were lost our effort to locate and account for fighting the fire. Streets in the Monterey Blackhorse troopers who served in The 2008 reunion in Chicago was a area are named in honor of these troop- Vietnam. If you are not yet a member or huge success with over 1,100 attending. ers. John Philip Sousa had written the your membership has lapsed, take this Over 60 attended their first reunion. One tune “The Black Horse Trooper” and the time to join and become a member or “first timer” was heard to say, “I don’t 9th Colonel of the Regiment, Herbert J. renew your membership. Also, the quar- know what took me so long to get here”. Brees, adopted it as the Regiment’s song. termaster offers a variety of “insignia Comments like these are heard every On June 1, 1937, the regiment participat- products” to show your colors. You can year from many