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4Th Qtr 2014 ThunderThunder RunRun Vol. 29 – NO. 4 “Together Then – Together Again” 4th Quarter, 2014 The 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia Columbus Georgia, Here We Come! The Blackhorse By: Steve Page Director and Reunion Chairman This Reunion will have many mov- Lands in Vietnam ith the memories of our Las ing parts. The primary purpose is By Raye Ashe, Vegas reunion still fresh in our to rededicate our Monument in HHT Regiment 1966-67 minds our attention turns to W this new place of honor. he landing craft eased softly into Columbus Georgia and our 30th Annual the Vietnamese beach and the Reunion. Thirty consecutive years is a ramp lowered to the sand. Colonel milestone in any organization. This event visits to Georgia to work out all of the T William W. Cobb, age 49 of Dallas, TX, will prove to be one that is not soon for- many details. stepped from the landing craft followed gotten Hotel reservation information is listed by CSM Arthur W. Hawthorne and the This Reunion will have many moving in this issue of Thunder Run. Please make your hotel reservations early, remember honor guard carrying the American Flag parts. The primary purpose is to rededicate and the Regimental Colors. They were our Monument in this new place of honor. you are not charged until you arrive on site. Please check with the hotel you followed by the Squadron Commander We will use multiple hotels and have and then the troop guidons. transportation and varied sites to visit. choose on their cancellation policy as they may vary. Waiting on the beach to meet them The folks at Fort Benning will roll out were LTG Jean E. Eagler, Deputy the red carpet for us. As was the case with More details will be posted in February issue of Thunder Run and on the web site. Commanding General USARV, LTG our trip to Fort Irwin this visit to Benning Jonathan Seaman, Commanding General will be the largest group they have hosted. Your Officers and Directors have been working on this reunion for some time. We II Field Force Vietnam, MG W.E. Depuy, Most events are still in the planning Commanding General of the 1st Infantry stages, we anticipate future coordination will make sure this is another first class event. Division, and the 1st Infantry Division Band. Also there was a rather ragged lit- tle black Vietnamese pony and 15 Memorial Groundbreaking Ceremony Vietnamese schoolgirls who presented ground breaking ceremony for the ing nine combat vehicle displays tracing them with flowers as they stepped off the Anew 11th Cavalry Memorial will the development of armor from WW II to landing craft. take place on Veterans Day, Tuesday, the present and a parking area for 30 During the debarking ceremonies, November 11, 2014 at 11:30 am at the vehicles. It is located on Benning General Eagler spoke to the newly site of the future National Armor and Boulevard just outside the gate at Fort arrived Blackhorse Troopers, “Officers Cavalry Museum in Columbus, GA. Benning, GA and adjacent to the and Men of the Blackhorse Regiment, Construction for the new memorial will National Infantry Museum. Please join us welcome to the United States Army begin in early 2015 and is expected to be on Veterans Day for these two important Vietnam. In this struggle we are joined completed by May-June. events. by many of our allies. The 11th Armored The ground break- Cavalry has a long and proud tradition. ing is being held in Throughout its 65 year history the conjunction with the Blackhorse Regiment has been known official dedication of for its ability to perform its mission Patton’s Park. The through preparedness of both men and park is a 750 foot material. Now with your deployment to walking trail featur- Vietnam, I know you are ready to take up your weapons in the cause of freedom. You will always be true to your motto – ALLONS – Let’s Go.” Artist’s rendition of new memorial site. Please turn to Vietnam on page 18 www.11thCavNam.com From The Command Track By Allen Hathaway, President he 29th annual Our next reunion will be in Treunion was held on September 3-7 at the Columbus, GA and Fort Benning in Rio All Suites Hotel in Allen Hathaway August 2015. We’re working on another great reunion President Las Vegas. Nearly 1,500 people attended this with several tours and activities and of course to dedicate year. It was an impressive turnout. our memorial. People began arriving a few days early and took advantage of combining the Friday was a very special day and the er, Major General Larry Gunderman reunion with a vacation. Some would primary reason that the reunion was held (USA Ret), for his excellent speech. As a make day trips to nearby Hoover Dam in Las Vegas. This was an opportunity to captain he served in HHT, 1/11 in 1966 while others visited the Grand Canyon visit the 11th ACR at their home at the then as C Troop commander in 1967. either before or after the reunion. Many National Training Center at Fort Irwin, We would also like to thank the cur- took time to enjoy some of the shows and CA. Over 700 veterans, family and friends rent regimental commander COL Kevin other entertainment in Las Vegas. boarded 14 motor coaches for the trip. I Jacobi for attending the reunion and giv- Registration officially opened on think all will agree that the regiment really ing an update on the activities of the reg- Wednesday afternoon and many were on turned out to welcome the veterans. We iment. Included in the update were out- hand to pick up their reunion packets. had the opportunity to tour the 11th ACR standing videos showing scenes of how “First Timers” were recognized as they museum and to get hands on with some of our Blackhorse soldiers train America’s checked in and were greeted with a “wel- the equipment and vehicles on display. We Army at Fort Irwin. They are the best of come home” and a round of applause from also were able to meet and talk with many the best. the crowd. One hundred and eight (108) of the soldiers and learn about what they We were also pleased, that through troopers attended their first reunion - - do at the NTC. We were also treated to a donations made by our very generous another impressive number. demonstration by the horse detachment. members, we were able to bring thirty- The “bunker,” which is the large ban- Perhaps the highlight of the day was seven (37) Blackhorse troopers and quet size hospitality room, opened in the when hundreds of Blackhorse veterans spouses from Fort Irwin to attend the afternoon. People began arriving in the and the entire regiment gathered for an Saturday evening banquet. early evening to meet up with their old impressive group photo. This is a very The Saturday evening program was friends. Guidons are placed on tables to special keepsake for all Blackhorse veter- topped off by the Blackhorse Salute. This make it easy to find others from their unit. ans. They say a picture is worth a thou- is always a very powerful and sometimes Troopers were pouring over photo albums, sand words but at times a picture can also emotional portion of the program as we newspaper articles, and other memorabil- leave you speechless. The photo is awe- salute the service of the thousands of ia. There were many instances of troopers some! Blackhorse troopers who served with this meeting for the first time since leaving The Annual Business Meeting was held great regiment in Vietnam. Vietnam. Those were the most meaningful on Saturday morning where we reported Our thanks to all who attended, and reunions. One trooper said, “The last time on the state of the organization. Elections I saw him he was putting me on a chopper especially the volunteers who worked were held for one director, the results of tirelessly, to help make this another suc- to be evacuated”. While another said, “I which are printed elsewhere in this issue. always wondered what happened to you cessful reunion. We especially want to An overview of the 2015 reunion in Fort thank the many Blackhorse troopers, after you got evacuated.” These are very Benning was given. San Antonio, TX special moments during the reunion. family and friends who attend and sup- will be the location of the 2016 reunion. port these great events. It’s your partici- Golfers got an early start on Thursday Chaplain Larry Haworth conducted pation that makes these reunions so suc- morning to beat the heat for the 23rd the memorial service on Saturday after- cessful year after year. annual Marty Ognibene Golf Tournament. noon. The names of departed Blackhorse Fifty-two (52) golfers participated this Our next reunion will be in Columbus, troopers who have passed away since the GA and Fort Benning in August 2015. year. Most stopped for a refreshing bever- previous reunion were read. Members of age that was offered on the 9th hole. We’re working on another great reunion the audience had the opportunity to speak with several tours and activities and of The silent auction was held on about friends or loved ones lost this past course to dedicate our memorial. All Thursday evening. Over 150 items were year. There were many heartfelt tributes hotel reservation information is in this donated and available for bid. We have to our departed Blackhorse troopers. issue. Make your plans early.
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