23rd Annual Reunion
Hyatt Regency
O'Hare - Rosemont, Illinois
11th Armored Cavalry's Veterans
of Vietnam and Cambodia
August 21st - 24th, 2008
From The Command Track
November 2008
President's
Message
By Allen Hathaway, President
Our 23rd annual reunion was held on August 21-24, in
Chicago, IL. Over 1,100 people attended the reunion this year. We
would like to thank Jim Kaszubowski, the Chicago Reunion Co-Chairman, for his
innovative ideas and for coordinating the onsite activities. Thanks to
all the volunteers this year that helped make the reunion run smoothly.
Thanks also goes to Steve Page, Reunion Chairman, for overall planning of the
reunion.
We want to once again thank our guest speaker General
Paul J. Kern for his remarks during the Saturday evening banquet. We
surprised General Kern by having his former G Troop medic, Rex “Doc”
Harold, introduce him. Neither had seen each other since 1LT Kern was
severely wounded on August 25, 1968. General Kern remarked “I
haven’t seen him for 40 years. Thanks, not just for that introduction,
but obviously for saving my life and getting me on that medivac.” This
is but one example of the numerous reunions between old friends that occurred
during the reunion weekend.
We also want to thank the current regimental commander
COL Paul J. Laughlin and CSM Fred Morris for attending the reunion and giving
us an update on the activities of the regiment. We send our thanks and
appreciation to all Blackhorse troopers for their service and wish them all
the best in their continued mission at the Fort Irwin, CA.
We had 60 troopers attending their first reunion this
year. First timers were recognized and applauded by their fellow
troopers during the Saturday evening banquet. One first timer said, “I
don’t know what took me so long to get here”.
The Annual Business Meeting was held on Saturday morning.
Elections were held for President and one Director. Incumbents Allen D.
Hathaway (President Pro-tem) and Robert E. (Bob) Moreno (Director) both ran
unopposed and were reelected to their present positions.
The membership approved a motion to modify the by-laws to
add “Operation Embrace” as a standing committee.
The board asked the membership to approve a change in the
eligibility criteria for the Reunion Assistance Fund to include immediate
family members of our KIA’s (parents, siblings, children and widows).
The recommendation was approved unanimously by the membership. This now
provides a means for some financial assistance to KIA family members to attend
reunions if the need arises.
The hat was passed to replenish the Reunion Assistance
Fund. Three troopers were helped this year so they could attend their
first reunion. A total of $3,280 was donated by our members. I
want to thank all
who have contributed to this fund at the Annual Business Meeting and
throughout the year.
Consideration is being given to staggered terms for the
four officers. The current by-laws provide that the president,
vice-president, secretary and treasurer are elected in odd numbered years to
serve a two year term. Under staggered terms, two officers would be
elected in odd numbered years and the other two officers would be elected in
even numbered years. All terms would still remain two years.
Staggered terms would provide some continuity by overlapping terms. Any
change to the by-laws requires a 2/3 approval by the voting members.
Members are asked to submit any comments by e-mail or regular mail to the
secretary by prior to March 1, 2009.
Three reunion sites were presented to the membership for
the 2010 reunion. They included Valley Forge, PA, Washington, DC, and
Norfolk, VA. Washington, DC, was chosen by a majority vote of the
members.
The annual raffle drawing was held on Saturday evening.
The 1st prize of $1,000 went to Michael Tavares (M Co, 3/11) of Nicholasville,
KY. Michael donated the $1,000 prize money to the Scholarship fund in
honor of his friend Gary Wayne Gillis, M CO, 3/11, KIA April 7, 1969.
The 2nd prize of $750 went to Harold Williams (HHT Regt) of Hampstead, NH.
The 3rd prize of $500 went to Grace Myrick of Robertsdale, AL. The 4th
prize of $250 went to Larry Holloway (A Trp, 1/11). Larry also donated
his prize money to the Scholarship Fund.
This year proved to be another successful year for our
calendar, raffle and silent auction fundraising activities. Through the
generous donations from our members we were able to award 32 scholarships
totaling $98,000. We would like to congratulate the 2008 scholarship
recipients who are listed in this issue. Special recognition goes to
Christopher L. Stevens, son of Donald L. Stevens, who is the recipient of the
first Colonel Charles L. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship. Beginning this
year and each year hereafter, each scholarship will be awarded in honor one of
our KIA’s.
Our 2009 Fundraising activities will begin in early
December with the mailing of our 2009 calendar to all members. Our
members look forward to the calendar each year. We urge each of you to
make a donation for the calendar for whatever amount.
Our Memorial Fund has a shortfall of nearly $25,000 for
work already done on the memorial. We urge you to consider purchasing a
memorial brick. Please read the memorial update article in this issue.
Be sure to check the “specials” being offered by the
Quartermaster. These items are being offered at a special reduced price.
Quantities and sizes are limited to stock on hand. With the holidays
approaching, order early to avoid any last minute holiday delay.
Many people work throughout the year and behind the
scenes to ensure each reunion is a success. By all accounts this was
another very successful reunion. We thank all the volunteers for their
time. We especially thank all those who attended in support of these
great events. We hope to see you Santa Clara in 2009.
ALLONS!
