The 14th Cavalry Association Volume 21 Number 2 Honoring You, Honoring Our Regiment June 2021 A Salute to Your Service: Cav vs. Covid-19: From the Saddlebag 2021 Regimental Reunion 2021 Reunion = GO As of May 26, it appears that the Covid-19 Happy 246th Birthday U.S. Army! The upcoming reunion--September 1-5, in our nation’s capital--salutes the service of strictures imposed by Federal and Virginia those who have served or still serve in the health officials will be entirely lifted in the 14th Cavalry. District of Columbia and Virginia by mid- June—great news for our reunion. Perhaps more that any reunion we’ve Already in both jurisdictions, people who had in 20 years, this one may be both the have completed their vaccination regimen can most engaging and the most memorable congregate without masks in large groups. reunion of all. (The Washington Nationals baseball team an- First, the reunion will bring us together nounced yesterday that Nationals Park plans for the first time in over two years. to fully open on June 11 and, as noted below, Second, it celebrates the 120th the new Army museum will open June 14.) Anniversary of the 14th Cavalry. All Air travel has been safely operating during who attend will receive a large four-color the past several weeks, and currently masks memento that highlights the legacy--battles, are required on board and in terminals. The mask requirement may be lifted by late Au- roles and locations--of the Regiment gust/September 1st (reunion travel time). throughout a century-plus of its history. Our host hotel and transportation compa- Plus, we plan an unveiling of a special ny have routinely updated us about the steps tribute to the Regiment during the day we they are taking per instructions of the Virginia visit the new National Museum of the U.S. Department of Health to ensure the health Army. and safety of their customers. Likewise the Third, it offers rare opportunities to go Military District of Washington and the 3rd behind the scenes to see and hear about the Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). 3rd Infantry Regiment’s (The Old Guard) We will meet with representatives of both Caisson Platoon and its Tomb Guard at Ft. Myer, Va., and with staff members of Army Museum Praised Platoon. And you’ll be able to say, “I was the Army museum at Ft. Belvoir, Va.. on The new National Museum of the at the Tomb the year it celebrated its 100th June 14. If conditions reverse the current U.S. Army has been named a “10 Best anniversary” (see box on page 8). good health and safety outlook and threaten New Attractions of 2020” by USA our reunion plans we will let you know. Today. Be among the first to visit the mu- Army Museum Opens seum. It and other notable sites are on the itinerary of our Regimental Reunion The long-awaited opening of the new our featured 2021 reunion event—a visit in September. Read the feature article National Museum of the U. S. Army to the museum on September 6—even on this page. will occur on June 14, according to an more sweet. For the latest Museum updates visit announcement on May 14 by the Army The reunion planners have made a NMUSA.org. Historical Foundation. The June 14 open- group reservation for us on that date. All ing (actually re-opening) is fitting in that who register before that date to attend Stable Call Feedback, the date is the 246th birthday of the Army the reunion will be permitted entry to the Next Call July 22 and also national Flag Day.You will recall museum at no charge, and no individual The recent Stable Call via Zoom that the museum was to open last year on reservations are necessary. Our planned attracted 15 veterans of the Iraq/Af- June 14 only to be prohibited by Covid-19 visit duration is four hours. Admission ghanistan and Cold War periods. They restrictions. They later eased sufficiently includes the static exhibits and the Army shared recollections of their early days to allow officials to announce a new Theater presentation, “Of Noble Deeds,” in the Regiment. Not surprisingly, most opening on November 11. But as that date an immersive exploration of what it had to do with humorous screwups and approached and the pandemic worsened means to be an American Soldier. serious missions. But no matter the the museum doors were closed. But if you want to do more than simply That long and painful history makes continued on page 9 continued on page 7 Commander’s Hatch, page 2 1-14 SITREP, page 3 CONTENTS CSM’s Corner, page 2 2-14 SITREP, page 4 Commander’s Hatch I trust and hope this issue of our 2021 Reunion come everyone into the proud community newsletter finds everyone well! We have It would be an added bonus to hear of service that we represent. certainly endured some challenging times some of those personal stories at our Join the Team over the past year, but I am optimistic Regimental Reunion as well! Please If you are interested in represent- (once again!) about what lies before us. join us 1 to 5 September in Crystal City, ing and serving our Association through It is that balance of remembering the past Va. for what is sure to be an exciting elected office or in another capacity the and thinking ahead that is on my mind. and memorable program. In addition to window of opportunity for that action is The late John W. Gardner is credited hearing and telling tall tales of triumph now. Please consider adding your name with saying that “history never looks and tribulation at the Watering Hole, the to our forthcoming ballot, which will be like history when you are living through history of our Army will be on full display presented to our membership via both it.” We have all recently lived through at the National Museum of the U.S. Army absentee ballot and during our annual various events that will be judged and at Fort Belvoir. I remain convinced that meeting at the reunion in September. remembered by history in some form. every Soldier and Veteran, regardless of What I would like to call your attention length or era of service, will be proud to See You in September to however, is the wonderful recollection be represented by this amazing landmark. I look forward to seeing you at our of history that is currently being shared Grow & Sustain reunion and hearing everything that is on on our Association website in the form of As we remember the past, I remain your mind, and hopefully a ‘war story’ personal essays. greatly concerned about the status of as well! As always, thank you for all you have done and continue to do for each Memories of Service our membership and our ability to grow other, the 14th Cavalry, the Army and our I invite you to go to 14cav.org and and maintain our Association into the Nation. view the “Trooper Memories” under the future. Please continue to reach out to “History” tab. This addition to our web- anyone you know with an affiliation to Honoring You, Honoring Our Regiment! site contains memories of members re- the 14th Cavalry and talk to them about counting their experiences while serving the Association and the comradeship that SUIVEZ MOI in the 14th Cavalry Regiment. Currently we represent. If we all invite and bring there are stories from 15 Troopers that are someone to the reunion or a virtual Stable both entertaining and informative. There Call that would be a great start! Brian and are also instructions on how to submit I continue to focus the majority of our ef- your own story, if interested, and I en- forts on our post-2000 Squadron Troopers Jim Dunivan, Col., U.S. Army, Ret. courage everyone to add their experiences and leaders, but it will take the combined President, 14th Cavalry Association as a piece of history for others to enjoy. effort of us all to share the word and wel- CSM’s Corner I’m always humbled by the sacrifice, and then on “CPL Michael Oreskovic” to dedication, and spirit of the young men read his story. I promise, you will not be and women who have given so much to disappointed. this great country of ours. We so often do Also, I want to remind everyone of CHARGE! is available at not hear or read about the actual circum- our reunion, 1-5 Sept 2021, in Crystal www.14cav.org on the 1st of March, stances these Soldier’s find themselves in City, Va. It’s going to be a great reunion June, September & December. and how they deal with tragedy in their with many activities and opportunities lives. That is why I like to highlight in to reconnect with old friends. Please join Next Deadline: 1 Sept 2021 this column the sacrifices of members us and register by going to our website: Editor: who served in our Regiment. www.14cav.org. Gordy Bratz This is about CPL Michael Ores- Finally, I know this CHARGE! will be [email protected] kovic or “Oreo” as he was affectionately published near Memorial Day and I want (757) 564-1134 called while serving with B Troop, 1st 3009 Larkspur Run to ask everyone to remember all those Williamsburg, VA 23185-3766 Squadron, 14th Cavalry. His story begins who did not come home, especially those October 5, 2004, but I cannot begin to Soldiers who served in the 14th Cavalry Secretary: give it justice in my own words, so it is in Regiment.