TThhuunnddeerr RRuunn Vol. 27 – NO. 2 “Together Then – Together Again ” 2nd Quarter, 2012 The 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia Sewall Menzel to Address 11th ORLANDO 2012 By: Steve Page Reunion Committee Chairman ACVVC in Orlando he Orlando reunion is less than five e are pleased to as the S-2 (intelligence) officer for several Tmonths away. The planning for this Wannounce that weeks before taking command of first E event is almost complete and the Rosen Sewall Menzel has Troop and then G Troop in Tay Ninh Centre is ready for our arrival. The hotel graciously accepted Province. While in command of G Troop, is beautiful both inside and out and offers our invitation to be Captain Menzel led the unit across the impeccable service. the guest speaker at border into Cambodia as part of the There are three places to dine at the the 27th annual American invasion on May 1, 1970. Rosen. The Everglades, which is upper reunion banquet on Following the withdrawal of our troops scale, Gaugan, which is moderately Sewall Menzel Saturday, September from Cambodia during the summer, priced and Reds Deli, offers a variety of Guest Speaker 15th at the Rosen Sewall volunteered to return to Lam Dong food items at good prices. The lobby bar Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Province to pass on the lessons learned offers food along with a large variety of Sewall served two tours of duty in from both E and G Troops’ experiences. adult beverages. The Rosen Centre Hotel Vietnam. In 1968 he served with the 101st offers a gift shop and spa. There is also a Please turn to MENZEL on page 6 Airborne Division during health club and a very large outdoor pool. the TET offensive and Free self parking is also available for our with MACV as a counter- attendees. guerrilla militia advisor The Rosen Centre is located at 9840 in Lam Dong Province. International Drive. There are many After attending the Armor shops, outlet malls, restaurants and other School at Fort Knox, fun activities along International Drive. Sewall returned to The street has something for everyone. Vietnam to join the Complementary shuttle service to Sea Blackhorse Regiment’s World, Wet ‘n Wild and Universal Studios 2nd Squadron at Loc is available from the hotel. Transportation Ninh in December 1969. to all Disney parks can be arranged at the He worked at the hotel ticket counter. squadron’s headquarters Please turn to ORLANDO on page 6 From the Command Track ..........................................2 Book Reviews ..........................................................17 SFC Yano – Col Leach Honored at Fort Benning ..........4 Pin Design Competition ............................................17 Editor’s Corner ............................................................6 Chaplain’s Corner ......................................................18 Forty Years Ago ..........................................................7 Bustin’ Rubber ..........................................................20 The Iron Triangle ..........................................................9 Inside Communist Watermelons ..........................................22 The Patton We Knew and Respected ..........................10 27th Reunion Registration Form ................................24 11 ACVC Members Give Record Donations for 2012 11 2nd Quarter 27th Reunion: Schedule of Events ............................25 11th ACVVC Donations ..............................................12 Welcome Aboard ......................................................26 Brothers ....................................................................13 2012 Fiddler’s Green ..........................................................27 From the 64th Colonel of the Regiment ......................14 QM Store ..................................................................28 Blackhorse Hoofbeats ................................................15 Women’s Corner ......................................................30 Scholarship Update ..................................................16 From the Quartermaster ............................................32 www.11thCavNam.com From The Command Track By Allen Hathaway, President lans are being final - Pized for the 27th We expect another large turn-out for this reunion, annual reunion in estimated now 1,000-1,100 or more. The room block Orlando, Florida, on Allen Hathaway is filling up fast. We urge you to reserve your room as soon as possible to ensure President September 12-16. your reservations are set. Reunions are a great place to renew old friendships and to make the 11th ACVVC met for our annual mid- We are always looking for YOUR stories. new friends. Once again this promises to be year board meeting. The two day meeting The first quarter issues of Thunder Run con - an outstanding reunion and an opportunity was very productive and offered an excellent tained three personnel accounts by Leo to be with others who served with the opportunity to meet and discuss the current Deege, George Ruggles and Mark Crist as Blackhorse Regiment. status of the many projects of our organiza - well as the regular featured article The Rosen Centre Hotel is a beautiful tion and to make plans for the future. “Blackhorse Hoofbeats” by historian Don hotel located near many of the popular Our Scholarship Fundraising activity is Snedeker. These are excellent stories and attractions in the Orlando area. Many of going strong again for 2012. Three pages of historical facts of your tour and your regi - those attending have planned to arrive a few donor’s names were printed in the 1st quar - ment in Vietnam. Please continue to send us days early in order to combine the reunion ter newsletter. This issue contains another your stories. Submissions should be directed with a visit to some of the Central Florida long list of donors. The annual raffle is one to Bill Gregory, Thunder Run editor. His attractions. of three activities we conduct each year to address and e-mail information can be found We are pleased to announce that Sewall benefit the Scholarship Fund. Raffle tickets on page 3. Menzel will be our guest speaker at the will be mailed to all members in May. We’re We received many phone calls after our Saturday evening banquet and program. offering some great prizes again this year so last newsletter from troopers who recog - Sewall has an impressive 25 year career in be sure to return your tickets prior to the nized names in “Welcome Aboard” section the United States Army, with over four years reunion. and the donors list. It always very gratifying spent in Vietnam. As a captain in 1970 he We also want to remind everyone to start to be able to reconnect old friends after served as troop Commander of first E Troop thinking of items for the silent auction. The many years. Please look at the new members then G Troop, 2nd Squadron. While in com - auction is always a fun and interesting part list this issue of Thunder Run. mand of G Troop, Captain Menzel led the of the reunion. We have many talented peo - We also have several hundred unit rosters unit across the border into Cambodia as part ple in the organization and they always covering the period 1966-1972. We plan to of the American invasion on May 1, 1970. come through for the silent auction. We wel - add the names from these rosters to our web - Sewall Menzel wrote of his experiences in come any item for the silent auction. Please site over the next 6 to 8 months. This may Vietnam in the book called “Battle Captain”. see the separate article in this issue. help in remembering names and in locating (The main title for the book was derived old friends. from the 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR call sign Sales for the new book “Blackhorse “Battle”.) Riders” by Phil Keith are doing well. The Don Snedeker, our Historian, has done book is the story of A Troop’s daring rescue extensive research and summarized the We are also pleased to announce that Dr. of an infantry company surrounded by an many operations the 11th ACR participated Candace Drake will be hosting the Veterans overwhelming enemy force near the in from 1966-1972. The list of operations, Seminar on Friday morning. Dr. Drake host - Cambodian border in March 1970. This is dates and units will be posted to our website ed the Veterans Seminar at the 2011 reunion the story of the Blackhorse troopers who soon. in St. Louis, MO. It was an excellent semi - overcame overwhelming odds to save their nar and well attended. We encourage all, vet - We find new Blackhorse troopers every fellow soldiers. Their action was finally rec - erans, family and friends, to attend the week. If you are looking for someone, please ognized some 40 years later when A Troop Veterans Seminar. feel free to contact me or any board member was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and we will try to put you in contact and old We expect another large turn-out for this in a ceremony held at the White House in friend. reunion, estimated now 1,000-1,100 or 2009. The hard cover version of We invite all Blackhorse troopers, family more. The room block is filling up fast. We “Blackhorse Riders” is over 330 pages urge you to reserve your room as soon as and friends to honor our fallen comrades on packed with detailed descriptions of the Memorial Day, May 31, as we lay our possible to ensure your reservations are set. actions by those who were there. Contact old friends early giving them plenty Blackhorse wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Phil Keith will be attending the 2012 of time to make their plans to attend. Feel Memorial on that day. If you’re not able to reunion in Orlando to address the member - free to contact any board member if you attend, take a moment wherever you may be ship on Saturday morning and to autograph need help finding and old friend. Dig out and remember our comrades-in-arms. They the book. “Blackhorse Riders” is available your old pictures, slides and scrapbooks and shall not be forgotten. Their memory will through the Quartermaster. Please see the come prepared to enjoy yourselves. live forever. ALLONS! – It’s good to be 2 complete line of Quartermaster products at “Together Again”. In mid March the officers and directors of the end of this issue and how to order.