Message From The President 11thACVVC
Ollie Pickral
K Troop 1968-69
My Brothers:
As I write, I'm nearing completion of six years of being your President. On one hand I'm a little sad but on the other, I am happy to turn the reins (of this Black Horse steed) over to our new President, Chuck Schmidt. One, I look forward to handling the finances again as your Treasurer. I promise to handle your funds in a very professional manner and approach the job as if I were managing my own funds (ask my wife, I am prudent and thrifty with our funds). Two, it's time for a new President who can bring in new ideas and direction for 11 ACVVC. Three, you voted on a very good trooper to lead "The Charge" for us. Chuck Schmidt is a graduate of West Point, was the I Troop CO when with the Cav in Vietnam/Cambodia, is a "gung-ho" trooper who will lead our organization to greater heights these next couple of years. Chuck's approach is straight forward and once committed, he charges to complete the tasks before him. These last few years as one of our Board of Directors, he has helped guide the 11 ACVVC to becoming a premier organization and perhaps the best veterans unit organization in the country. Four, I was recently selected to be the Exectutive Director of the Army Divisions Association (ADA). This umbrella organization consists of 28 Division associations of which 11 ACVVC is an active member.
This job and our Treasurer's job will keep me busy.
For the years 2004 and forward, I challenge each of you to be active with the 11 ACVVC. We always are looking for troopers to volunteer themselves for the numerous functions we have, especially around reunion time. Our newsletter, Thunder Run is a classy tabloid and we always need photographs and stories. We have a girth of combat history all tucked away in your brain and we need those stories. If you are willing to help your organization in one way or another, please contact Chuck and the other Officers and Directors and "volunteer". Forget all that has been said about volunteering, it is fun to help out your fellow vet buddy.
Just as you served with the Best Damn Regiment in the Army, you are a part of the Best Damn veteran unit organization in the country and you should be proud of those troopers you elected to lead 11 ACVVC.
So.......from Debbie and I, we wish you a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
Again, I thank you for letting me be a part of this great organization and I hope I have influenced it in a positive way.
ALLONS !!!
My brothers:
What a great reunion we had in Eugene, Oregon in August. We had about 615 in attendance and was a perfect size for the city and the Hilton Eugene Hotel. We now set our sights to the next reunion in Daytona Beach, Florida. We are working up a budget for this reunion and should have the registration fee figured out shortly so everyone can register. In the meantime, please call NOW for your hotel reservations. This is our first reunion in Florida and our first at a beach site. I expect rooms will go fast for this reunion as it is directly on the beach and is the best and biggest hotel in the area. Call the hotel at: 386.254.8200.
At the Eugene reunion we elected new Officers and Directors for 2004 and out. Your new President will be Chuck Schmidt of I Troop. Chuck is presently a Director for 11 ACVVC. Our new Vice President will be Gene Johnson He served with E Troop and Air Cav Troop. Gene is on our Reunion Committee and has held other posts with 11 ACVVC in the past. Frank Cambria will continue being our Secretary. He served with G Troop. Frank has been with 11 ACVVC almost since the inception of 11 ACVVC. I will be your next Treasurer. I have held this post previously with 11 ACVVC. I was with K Troop. Director Eric Newton will step down as a Director and will be replaced with Allen Hathaway. He served in HHT Regt. Allen has previously been our President. Michael Forbes will continue being a Director for 2004. He served in A Troop. The vacated Director position that Chuck presently holds will be selected by the Officers and Directors per our bylaws.
We think our annual calendar will be out to 11 ACVVC members in mid November of this year. If you haven't renewed your annual membership, please do as the calendars are sent ONLY to our annual and Life members. Chuck Schmidt is looking for a few good photos to use in future calendars so let him know if you have that perfect photograph.
Everyone is now receiving their 3rd qtr. THUNDER RUN. Again, you must be a member of 11 ACVVC to receive four quarterly issues of our newsletter. Editor, Bill Gregory is always looking for photos and articles from our members.
Don't forget to order your Blackhorse products early for delivery by Christmas. You can review our list of quartermaster items here on the website or at the back of our newsletter. If your "better half" asks what you want for Christmas, show her our list and have her order right away.
Deb and I wish each of you a great Thanksgiving holiday. I think of our KIAs during holidays and know that their loved ones continue to remember our heroes as well.
ALLONS
Ollie Pickral
K Troop '68-'69 My fellow Blackhorse Brothers:
We are less than 4 weeks away until our 18th Annual Reunion. If you haven't sent in your registration, do so now so we can get an estimate of how many are attending. We want to be prepared for you to have a great time so get your money and registration in NOW!!
At this year's reunion, we will have elections for the following positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and one Board position. It is very important to be at the membership meeting and participate in one of the rights as being a member of 11 ACVVC, voting and electing our leaders. This important election will indicate where our organization is headed for the next couple of years. It's your DUTY to put the best people in these positions so our organization will continue to be the premier veteran unit organization in the country.
Please note some of the major accomplishments from your Officers and Directors over the last 6 years of our terms:
* Newsletter is changed to color and professional format
* Website www.11thCavNam.com is initiated. Rated as one of the best veteran sites
* Annually places a Blackhorse wreath at The Wall each Memorial Day
* Produced the 100th Anniversary "keepsake" calendar.
* Awards over 70 scholarships to our member's children and to our members. Increases scholarship amounts from $2,000 to $3,000 each.
* Acquires 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment "colors" and purchases all our battle streamers for our colors.
* Authorizes and produces documentary on The Blackhorse In Vietnam: From those who fought it. Film is in both VHS and DVD formats.
* Organizes and writes guidelines for the Reunion SOP, Scholarship qualifications and Trooper Assistance Fund.
* Provides seminars at reunions to help troopers with claims with the VA.
* Reinstituted the Friday Bunker Party at the reunions !!
The accomplishments are numerous as you can see and our Officers and Directors are always meeting, discussing and passing motions for only one purpose.....TO HELP OUR MEMBERS
I certainly hope that those who are "sitting on the fence" and haven't yet made the decision to attend the Eugene reunion, do so and now. If you haven't ever been to a reunion and always wanted to go.....now is your chance.
Ask any trooper who has been to an 11 ACVVC reunion in the past whether it's worth it, you will get a resounding, "They are the best"............ see you there.
ALLONS !! Hello everyone, just a short note to wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday. If you are traveling on these holidays, please drive carefully as you are loved and needed.
There are several things going on with the Officers and Directors of 11 ACVVC:
Our "Reunion Guide (SOP)" is being revised. The current document is 113 pages. We have tasked the Reunion Committee to condense and revise the document so it can be easier followed from start to finish on how we conduct our reunions. The first pass resulted in reducing the pages down to 58 and deleting some duplications. It also corrected spelling and
grammatical errors. The "second pass" will break down the tasks by dates like 2 years out, 1 year out, etc. We expect to further reduce the page count, correct any additional errors and hopefully produce a
useable document to make our reunions better.
The Reunion Site chairman, Adrian Vaaler is continuing to do work on the upcoming reunion in Eugene, Oregon next August. He is working on tour packages and shoring up on his
volunteers. Adrian is in contact with the hotel there and assures us that they will be ready for us. We will have most all of the rooms in the host hotel and we have several "overflow" hotels nearby.
The Officers and Directors will be holding it's second "mid-year" meeting again this coming Feb. We'll have three days of meetings that will allow us to take care of our business of making 11 ACVVC the best "veterans unit" out there (we might already be the best!). The meeting will be held at Cibolo Ranch in far West Texas. Many thanks to John Poindexter (A Troop, 1/11)for having us as his guests for the meeting.
2003 marks the year that we will conduct elections at the reunion for most of the Officer and Director positions. The positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and one of the three Board slots will be up for grabs. The Secretary and Treasurer and the Board Member positions can be on going but the others must vacate their positions. So, if you know of a Life Member that would be willing to serve, let us know. Please remember that those candidates require the person to devote time and energy to the office and shouldn't be because he is a popular guy from your Troop. The terms are two years and requires the person to communicate by both telephone and email.
Hoping each of you a Great Holiday season.
ALLONS,
Ollie Pickral
President, 11 ACVVC Greetings my brothers.......I know it's been a while since I left a message on our website. With the reunion out of the way and us having a new editor for our newsletter, I will now be able to do a few things I've been wanting to do.
For those who attended the reunion in Nashville, I'm sure you had a great time. Over 1,300 attended and we counted on no more than 1,000 attending. I understand that most felt like they were in a sardine can as the hotel somehow managed to get all but a few in the banquet hall.
This year we had a veterans service seminar which over 200 troopers attended. The same seminar was given to over 80 of our women who attended the reunion. There was nothing but praise coming from the attendees. Many thanks to our director, Chuck Schmidt and our Service Chairman, Rick O'Dell. Both are highly qualified and both gave great presentations.
CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY WITH YOUR BROTHERS AT THE WALL. We will have a suite at the Marriott to mark the 20th Anniversary of The Wall. Blackhorse troopers are encouraged to attend the ceremonies and enjoy the camaraderie, food and beverage of the "mini-Bunker".
Where: Washington Marriott. Rooms are $129.00 per night. Call (202) 872-1500 - Mention the VVMF when making reservations.
When: November 9-10,2002
Awards: The Trooper of the Year award was presented to our Vice President, John Sorich. John is the mover and shaker of our celebrated Scholarship Fund. What a year he has had an he certainly deserved this award.
Other awards were given out to: Barb Moreno (the 1st. of the Women's Award); Steve Page our reunion chairman; his right hand, Matt McKnight, our chaplain, Larry Haworth, our quartermaster Rod George and registration head, Craig Thomson.
Many thanks for the service you do for our organization and our troopers.
Your President just signed a contract with the Adam's Mark Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida for the 2004 reunion. The Adam's Mark is the best hotel there, has over 700 rooms and can seat over 2,000 for a banquet dinner. We won't have a seating problem there, I'm sure. The hotel is situated on the beach where you come through the front and exit out the back to the beach. This will be our first attempt to go to a beach city.
ALLONs until next time.......
Ollie Pickral
President, 11 ACVVC
Hello again troopers!! We are about to end the celebration of 100 years of service to our Great country! In 1901, the 11th U.S. Cavalry was formed at Fort Myer, Virginia on the East coast. Now, 100 years later the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment is located at Fort Irwin, CA on the West coast. What a great year of celebrations by the 11th Armored Cavalry's Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia, the active duty 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the Blackhorse association. We now start our 101st year and your organization begins it's 18th year that started at the small gathering of troopers at The Wall in 1984. It's hard to realize the accomplishments we've made since that gathering. We are one of the premere veteran organizations in existance. We generally have more people at our reunions than the big Army divisions do. We have more active members than most of the big Army divisions do. It is best because of many dedicated troopers that step forward and work hard for our organization. Most remain nameless but strive for our organization to be the best.....You guys wouldn't have it any other way!! Many of those that work hard for 11 ACVVC can be located on Page three of our quarterly newsletter, Thunder Run. Drop these guys a letter or call them and let them know they are appreciated. Your Officers and Directors had a mid-year meeting on November of this year. We met at the Cibolo Ranch in Southwest Texas for three days of meetings. Much was accomplished. I will list some of the changes made to our organization. * Motion 2001-1112A - The President has authority to decide the expense of up to $500 for assisting needy troopers attend a reunion. * Motion 2001-1112B - Scholarship Chairman to give a minimum of 10 each $3000 scholarships (or more) to qualified applicants. Funds for these scholarships will come from the interest we have on our Certificates of Deposits (CD)- currently at $36,000. * Motion 2001-1112C - Administrator of CDs and investments will notify Officers and Directors of annual dividends from CDs for the purpose of diversifying assets. * Motion 2001-1112D - Treasurer will keep 20% of funds in short term liquid accounts and to move at least 20%-25% in Gov't. securities accounts. * Motion 2001-1112E - Committee to be formed to assure counseling services at our reunions by qualified VA representatives to discuss services, medical assistance, and veteran's benefits. * Motion 2001-1112F - Officers and Directors will do a feasiblily study to have a mobile monument built, patterned like our monument at Fort Knox. Monument would be shipped to each reunion for memorial "on site". * Motion 2001-1113A - Reunion Committee to present two or three possible locations for future reunions. Officers and Directors will select reunion site.......(candidate sites will come from membership, Army Division's Assoc. sites and suggestions from the Reunion Committee). * Reunion fees - fees are based on known reunion costs. Fees will vary from year to year based on a prepared budget. Reunion fees will be the same whether attendee goes to one event or all events. * Officers and Directors to draft proclamation of 11 ACVVC's solidarity as an organization to the Blackhorse Assoc. and active duty 11th ACR. * At reunion's Friday night activities, the past Stable Your Mount Party will be changed back to the Friday Bunker Party. There will be no organized activities except the Silent Auction. * Seating at reunion will be by Squadron then by Troop (4 sqdns. will be pulled "from the hat". Once sqdns. are selected, then Troop letters will be "pulled from the hat". * 11 ACVVC Women's Group will be encouraged to help with administration of the annual reunion each year. As you can see, we had a lot to discuss and I appreciate all the Officers and Directors help in shaping our organization to be the BEST THERE IS. The above changes will allow our organization to continue to grow and serve our membership over the next years. Forth quarter THUNDER RUN is out and sent to everyone. If you need extras for possible handouts to new troopers, let me know and I'll get them to you. Please continue to go up on your website for the most up to date news and happenings. It is still the best website out there and you can be proud of our website staff who work each day making it the BEST. On behalf of all our Officers and Directors and also from the Pickral family, we wish each of you a great holiday. Later, Ollie Pickral K Troop 68-69 Well, Reunion XVII in Washington DC was another great one. Over 1,300 troopers and family members attended the affair which was a weekend to remember. Buses took all of us to the Vietnam Memorial where we had a ceremony wreath laying at the apex of the monument. We then jumped back on the buses to head for Fort Myer and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Sargeant Major of the Army Tilley spoke at the Memorial service for our KIAs and all the folks had lunch at the base.
Saturday night's banquet dinner was overflowed thus requiring another banquet hall in the hotel. Secretary of the Army, our very own Tom White was our featured guest speaker. He gave a great speech, discussing the origin of the 11th US Cavalry to the present time, spending most of it about the 11th Cav in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Nashville, Tennessee will host the next reunion at the Sheraton Music City. Information regarding reservations and registration will follow in my next message.
11 ACVVC continues to have the best website of all military organizations. As actions happen, you can assure the website will have the most up to date info available about your organization and the active duty Cav. So, go up often to stay abreast.
For those who were unable to attend this year's reunion, we passed a motion that allows 11 ACVVC to decide on how much active participation the Blackhorse Assoc. will have at 11 ACVVC reunions. I am please to announce that next year at the Nashville reunion, we will bring back the Friday Night Bunker Party. It will non-structured which will allow the troopers to mingle and enjoy the brotherhood with food and beverage.
Elections were held this year and all the Officers and Directors were re-elected again for the next two years.
The Trooper of the Year award was prsented to Gene Johnson for his two year effort to make the 100th Anniversary reunion one to remember and IT WAS. Don't rob yourself of the great time you will have if you don't attend a reunion. Once you've come to one, you are hooked!!
Until next time,
ALLONS,
Ollie
Hello Troopers. We are getting very close to the "Grand Finale", our 16th Reunion in Washington, DC. As most of you are aware, the 11th U.S. Cavalry is celebrating it's 100th Anniversary. February 2, 1901, the 11th U.S. Cavlary was born. We are expecting a very large crowd for this celebration and we will be having activities at the 11th Cavalry founding post, Fort Myer, Virginia, just across the river from Washington, DC. The host hotel is the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. It is located at 400 New Jersey Avenue NW, Wash.DC 20001. The hotel reservation telephone number is: (202)737-1234. Make your reservations now and certainly before July 13, 2001. That is when the rooms that we have blocked, go back to the hotel for the public. You can not be guaranteed a room in our host hotel after that date. So call now and also print out a copy of the registration form here on our website, fill it out and send with your check for $75 per person so we can be prepared for you. The first 1,200 who register are guaranteed a seat in the main banquet hall. All after that will be seated in an overflow room for dinner and viewing from the main hall via television screen.
Our website continues to be in the forefront of military organizations who have websites. I have viewed many, especially those organizations that belong to the Army Division's Association (of which we are a member). We have a first class website and we thank Otis Carey, our webmaster and his very capable crew that updates the site constantly.
Congradulations goes out to our reunion guest speaker, Tom White. Tom was selected to be the Secretary of the Army by President George W. Bush in a ceremony at the end of May. General White served with K Troop, M Company and was platoon leader of our ARPs in Vietnam and was the 52nd Colonel of the Regiment in Germany. He was the CEO of Enron in Houston after his military service. Tom was asked to be our featured guest speaker almost a year ago and we are very pleased to have the Secretary of the Army to speak to us on Sat. night.
We are finalizing our plans for the upcoming reunion. We have so much to do for the weekend, we have had to have all our meetings on Friday and will spend the entire day of Saturday at the Vietnam Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a reeinactmet of the beginning of the 11th U.S. Cavalry and Memorial service on the grounds of Ft. Myer.
If you have ever thought about coming to a reunion sometime and have been putting it off.......please sign up and bring your entire family to this reunion. This 100th Anniversary reunion will never come again for us troopers who served her well.
SEE YOU THERE !!!!
Allons, I hope everyone had a nice holiday and are preparing for springtime. I want to update you on what has happened the last few months and what is upcoming the next couple of months.
On the first weekend in February, The Blackhorse Association, the Wildhorse chapter and the active duty 11th ACR had a 100th Anniversary celebration in Las Vegas and at Ft. Irwin, home of the Blackhorse Regiment. 11 ACVVC member, Gene Johnson did much of the legwork to make the event successful.
Approximately 750 Blackhorse troopers and veteran troopers of the 11th ACR attended the events. Attendees aserted that it was a very professional done weekend of activities. At Fort Myer the same weekend, members gathered at the Tomb of the Unknown and layed a wreath in honor of all those who gave their lives while serving in our great Regiment.
In the next few days, all troopers on our rosters will get their 1st issue of the reformated newsletter, Thunder Run. I have a copy and it is very nice. We have replaced our 20 lb. bond paper for #60, slick finish paper and our Blackhorse patch is in Color. The format has changed dramaticly, giving it a very professional look to the quality content that has always been there. Give us your comments on the "new look".
I'd like to report that we now have our own American Flag to add to our banners and unit flags. Along with that, we were able to locate a flag company that makes unit battle streamers. We now have all the battle streamers of the 11th U.S. Cavalry and they will be ceremoniously presented at the next reunion.
The next big event of our 100th Anniversary celebration will be the 16th Annual Reunion of the 11th Armored Cavalry's Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency of Washington on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC. The event will be held from August 3,4 and 5, 2001. Inasmuch as we are celebrating our 100th year, we have planed a very special reunion. Activities will be at the host hotel, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Vietnam Memorial and at the birthplace of the 11th U.S. Cavalry at Ft. Myer. This is "The Reunion of our Century", and you should make every attempt to attend this special reunion.
To register, click on "Reunion Information", here on our site. Send your registration fees ($75 per person)and make your hotel reservations ($99.00 ++). The hotel number is: 202-383-1234. You can also visit their website at: www.hyatt.com
We are making a special effort to award as many $2,000 scholarships this year as we can for our troopers, their children and our KIA's children. We rely on donations from our members, an annual raffle, and an auction at the reunion site. As you may be aware, 11 ACVVC has given over $120,000.00 for scholarships over the last 17 years. We are asking anyone that can, donate either money or an item to be auctioned at the reunion. Gift certificates, weekend retreats, jewelry, 11th Cav guidons, signed sports memorbilia, etc......anything of value that you know our troopers would like to own or display on their walls. 11 scholarships were given out last fall and that only meets a portion of the demand. We had over 40 applications requesting help for a higher education for "OUR" children. Contact our Vice President and Scholarship Chairman, John Sorich at: (612) 942-6024 or contact him on the web at: johnsorich@mindspring.com
Don't forget to send your "war" stories and poems into the HQ of 11 ACVVC for publication in our excellent newsletter, Thunder Run. Articles can be sent to: 11 ACVVC; 1602 Lorrie Drive, Richardson, Texas 75080.
One last thing.....our beautiful 2001 Anniversary Calendar is just about sold out. Of the 1,500 produced, only about 200 are left. This calendar is a "keepsake" that you'll want to hand down to your children to keep. It is a "huge" 11x17, full color calendar that has our history, KIA's, Medal of Honor receipents, our battle streamers and a ton of other historical and factual data on the 11th U.S. Cavalry. Send $10 per calendar and $5.00 for shipping and handling to: 11th U.S. Cavalry 2001 Calendar; Turner Publishing Company, PO Box 3101; Paducah, KY 42002.
Until next time,
ALLONS Troopers: Wanted to update you on what's happening at the Command Track....
As we start November, we have some important holidays ahead of us. Thus, we are reminded just how lucky we are to have survived a war and for us to remember our brothers who did not make it back. Christmas is also a time that we give thanks to have the freedom of religious choice.
As you are aware, we will be celebrating the "Reunion of Our Century" in 2001. The 11th U.S. Cavalry was formed on February 2, 1901 at Fort Myer, Virginia. We will have the host hotel at The Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. We will have our Memorial service at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and will celebrate our 100th year at Fort Myer.
The dates of the reunion will be August 3-5, 2001. Contact the Hyatt at: 202-383-1307. The rates are $99.00++. Please do not wait the last minute to get a room. There are 834 rooms in the hotel and we expect over 2,000 to be in attendance. We est. 2 people per room so it is a guarantee that all the available rooms will go, and fast. Make your call now to assure you won't have to go to another hotel, away from all the "goings on".
Let me talk a little about the 2001 calendar. We will not, again will not have a free calendar sent out to all members of 11 ACVVC as in previous years. The 2001 calendar will be a special edition, 100th Anniversary calendar and can be purchased for a "cheap charlie" $10.00. Only 1,500 are being printed and over 400 have been ordered already. This special edition calendar will be an oversized calendar of 11"x17" in full color. Please order yours by sending $10 per calendar to: Turner Publishing Company; P.O. Box 3101; Paducah, KY 42002. Visa and Mastercard orders please call: 1-270-443-0121. (add $5.00 for shipping and handling for up to three copies / $1.00 for each additional). This calendar is a collectors item and is very fitting to hand down to your children and grandchildren. I myself have ordered three and am about to get a couple more for my family. I've seen the proof of this already and it is absolutely beautiful....thanks goes to Eric Newton for all the work he put into the project.
11th Cavalry Documentary: Donations are being solicited by 11 ACVVC, The Blackhorse Association and the active duty 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, to produce a documentary on the 100 years of service of the 11th U.S. Cavalry. This documentary will cover the history of our proud unit from the horse cavalry days, WWII, Vietnam, Kuwait and the current Cav located at Ft. Irwin, CA. Donations can be for any amount and once completed, will be available in VHS or DVD formats.
Send donations to your organization headquarters....for the 11 ACVVC, send to: 11 ACVVC; Attn: 11th Cav Documentary; 1602 Lorrie Drive; Richardson, TX 75080.
Over the past couple of months, your Officers and Directors of 11 ACVVC passed the following motions:
A). Approved funds to purchase our battle streamers for our colors.
B). Approved funds to purchase an American Flag, pole, crown and base for our reunion meetings.
C). Drafted and approved a "written" document on the purpose and qualifications of receiving assistance to attend a 11 ACVVC reunion.
D). Approved funds to purchase awards for five outstanding troopers.
Your organization is in need of articles or poems for our quarterly newsletter, THUNDER RUN. Send all items to your headquarters address above.
Last but not least, Debbie, April and I wish for you and your family the very best Thanksgiving and Christmas. Remember to show your spouse the Quartermaster list in the newsletter for all your Christmas presents!!
ALLONS,
Ollie
Troopers: It is "18 and a wake up" for the beginning of the 16th annual reunion of 11 ACVVC. I'm in daily contact with Mike Forti and his reunion committee and they are ready for the approximatley 1,000 attending the reunion in Buffalo. As of this writing, there were a few rooms left at the host hotel, Adams Mark. If you haven't made your hotel reservations or your registration to 11 ACVVC, you need to do it ASAP or risk staying at another hotel away from all the action.
The 59th Colonel is now in place at Ft. Irwin. His name is Colonel H. Mike Davis. He has a long history of commanding cavalry troops and was given the tough assignment to lead the 11th U.S. Cavalry. As we only get "the best", I am sure Col. Davis will keep the CAV at the top of the best units in the U.S. Army.
As I speak, we have over 70,000 hits on our website so far. What a great website we have. Many thanks to Otis Carey and his website crew for the wonderful job that they do. It's a busy job that requires constant attention and that's why we have "The Best".
I will get to the reunion hotel on Wed. night, Aug. 2, 2000. I hope to meet and talk with all of you attending. I hope that you will see many of your old buddies while there and will assure you will have a great time.
ALLONS,
Ollie Pickral
President Troopers:
We are closing in on two months until the reunion in Buffalo, New York. It is paramount that you get your hotel reservations in to the Adams Mark Hotel now while the rooms are still available. We have 400 rooms reserved for us on Friday and Saturday nights (Aug. 4-5, 2000). Many troopers are coming early and staying late to get in all the sights of Buffalo and Canada. You can get a peek of the hotel and the things to do right here on our website.....go to the Reunion box and click on it and you are there!! This is important: On July 2, 2000, any of the 400 rooms not taken by our attendees will be taken back by the hotel for them to sell to the general public (or our people, as long as they have vacant rooms). After that, any attendee will have to find a hotel room somewhere else in the Buffalo area. I am sure all of you want to stay in the host hotel where all our activities will be going on. So, make your hotel reservations now!! Call the Adams Mark at: 716-845-5116.
Over the last couple of months your Officers and Directors have voted on three motions.
1)We agreed to send a rebutal to the national magazine, The US News and World report for there article about the US military losing the war. This motion, 2000-2 passed with a vote of five yeas, one nay and one no-vote.
2)We voted on motion 2000-1: Funding to make additional awards to deserving troopers in 11 ACVVC. The motion passed with a vote of six Yeas and one no-vote.
2)We voted on motion 2000-3: Job-out of the publishing of Thunder Run to a publishing firm. The motion passed with a vote of six Yeas and one no-vote.
We have completed negotiations with the various hotels in the Washington DC area for Reunion XVI. This will be the one hundredth anniversary of the start of the 11th US Cavalry. The winning hotel is the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. Located just a few blocks from the underground restaurants and the light rail lines. We will also have functions at Ft. Myer, Virginia, the site of the beginning of the 11th US Cavalry. More on this subject in the future.
ALLONS,
Ollie
The 1st. quarter 2000 newsletter, Thunder Run is out to approximately 14,000 living troopers that served with the 11 ACR in Vietnam/Cambodia. This special issue was sent to all that we have located, whether a member of 11 ACVVC or not. What a firestorm it created for our webstaff......they were flooded with hits on this site.
Eric Newton's article in the newsletter is credited with so much new business. Many of our troopers who have either chosen not to join or had let their memberships lapse didn't know that we had our very own website. When they went up to our site, they quickly realized that we have one of the best sites on the net. Probably the best of any military unit organization. Those big Division organizations don't have "nuttin" on this little Regiment. Take the time to go to the website and look at the website staff's photos, then and now so you can recognize these guys. Send them an email and let them know what a good job they do. These troopers are constantly making changes and additions to the site.
Let's talk about what this website has done to reunite many, many buddies since it's creation some two years ago. One of our webstaff, Jim Murray, owns and operates his own printing firm and still has time to reunite troopers looking for their buddies. This is a daily chore that keeps Jim pretty busy, but for Jim, he is exhilarated everytime he connects troopers together. I know because I get copies of the connections. This is Great!!!
If you think our site is attactive and chocked full of great stories and facts, you have to especially thank Otis Carey. Otis has worked very hard to make sure our site is second to none and will continue making it the best site out there. As you can tell, it's a site worthy of Blackhorse Troopers.
To update you on what's happening in your organization.....
* The planning and execution of the Buffalo reunion is continuing to show that reunion chairman Mike Forti and is crew are striving to make this the best reunion and vacation you can have. All the information about the upcoming reunion is in the recent Thunder Run and can also be found on this website. Get your reservations in now to the Adam's Mark Hotel to assure you will have your room in the host hotel.
* Most of you are aware that the documentary about the 11th U.S. Cavalry has been funded so the writer can start doing our history over the last 100 years. This documentary will hopefully be shown on the History Channel once completed. Copies will be made available to us Blackhorse troopers in either VHS or computer disc formats.
* Negotiations are continuing for the host hotel for the 100th Anniversary Reunion in Washington, DC, in 2001. The committee responsible for the selection of the host hotel has narrowed the hotel count down from the original eight to two.
Both are in the Wash. area.
* Anyone wishing additional copies of our Calendar for friends or family members, let me know. I have a box of extras. Don't forget to tell them how the donations from the calendar help 11 ACVVC give scholarships to our troopers and their children. If you forgot to donate yourself, you still can!!
* If you would like to submit an article or a poem for publication in a future newsletter, be sure to get them to our editor, Mike Kennedy by the deadline, 15 April. It'll be easy, pay your taxes and send in your article.
* Please dig out all your old Army stuff and find your copies of your orders and awards. They have valuable information on them that will allow us to search for other "lost" troopers. Some orders have SSN's on them and if we have that, most likely we can find them. We probably found you this way. So, make copies, keep the originals and send copies to me.
* If you are attending an upcoming reunion and would like to volunteer your time for a while at the reunion, let us know. We always need extra "bodies" to help with registration or function or Quartermaster help. Let us know and we will put a "broom in your hand".
Till next time,
Allons,
Ollie Pickral
President
We are just a couple of days before Christmas and about 10 days before the New Year.
It's hard to believe we are starting a new millenium. Winter has finally arrived in the
Dallas Area and we are experiencing some cold weather. Hopefully this will encourage Santa
to stop in our area. Starting the New Year can be a good time to start planning for the upcoming reunion in
Buffalo and to also assure your membership is paid and current. We have many irons in the
fire right now and we want you to stay informed by getting your quarterly newsletter. If
you have moved and haven't notified us yet, please do so at this time so you'll get our
annual raffle letter with tickets, newsletters and your calendar for 2000. Here are some of the items that are on going with your organization: 1. January 01, 2000 will be the beginning of office in 11 ACVVC for our Vice President,
Treasurer and two Directors. John Sorich will assume the VP post and Bill Holford the
Treasurer. Our two new Directors are: Chuck Schmidt and Mike Forbes. 2. Pete Walter has completed the new 11 ACVVC calendar for the year 2000. All members
of 11 ACVVC will be getting theirs in the mail soon. As you are aware, donations for the
calendar go entirely to support our great Scholarship program. 3. Mike Forti, chairman for Reunion XV in Buffalo has recently completed a meeting with
his working committee at the Adam's Mark Hotel, site of our upcoming reunion. We are in
capable hands as details are being ironed out and assignments made to assure we have a
great reunion for 2000. 4. Gene Johnson and I are the 11 ACVVC representatives of the 100th Anniversary
Committee. Other members come from the Blackhorse Association and the active duty 11th
ACR. 11 ACVVC is tasked with contracting with the host hotel in the Washington DC area and
all functions within the hotel. Right now, eight separate hotels are being evaluated for
the very best value we can get. Many of the hotels are in neighboring Arlington, VA. As
things happen, we will let you know. 5. Any trooper wanting to submit a story, poem or other article to the newsletter needs
to submit them to our editor, Mike Kennedy by the deadline, January 12, 2000. This will be
for the first quarter 2000 edition. On behalf of all the troopers of 11 ACVVC, Debbie, April and I wish each of you a great
Holiday season. Message From The President By now, winter has arrived and most of the country is getting cool temps. All except
here in Texas. As I write, it is 91 degrees outside and it's mid October. I was able to
take trips to Nashville and Cleveland during the early part of summer to visit Don Bowman
( G Troop) and my brother, Henry and the weather was great. Also, the reunion in San Diego
had very pleasant weather for our reunion, getting no higher than 73 degrees. At the business meeting for the Officers and Directors and the Membership meeting, we
made some changes to our procedure regarding the newsletter and other bylaw changes and
additions. The 1st. Qtr. issue of our newsletter, Thunder Run, will now go to all troopers
of whom we have addresses for (members or not) and qualify to be a member of 11 ACVVC. A
bylaw was added that addresses the requirements for dismissal as a member of 11 ACVVC due
to refusal to pay amounts owed to 11 ACVVC due to bad checks and prohibits attendance to
any 11 ACVVC function such as reunion gatherings sponsored by 11 ACVVC. Also, a motion was
passed that requires the POW/MIA emblem on the sleve of future orders for our T shirts. We regret that the Quartermaster Store has been closed since the reunion. We apologize
for any inconvenience and hope to have the store back open in running soon. As soon as Rod
and Elida George get to their new home in Montana, the store will be back up and running
again. Check often the quartermaster store button to see when the form is available for
ordering. While at the reunion, elections took place for the Officers and two Board positions.
The following will begin their respective positions on January 1, 2000. For President:
Ollie Pickral; For Vice President: John Sorich; For Treasurer: Bill Holford; For (3
Year)Board member: Chuck Schmidt; For (2 year) Board member: Michael Forbes. They join
Frank Cambria (Secretary) and Tom Reese (Board member)to makeup the new Officers and
Directors of 11 ACVVC. I look forward to working closely with each of them to assure 11
ACVVC stays the top veteran unit organization out there (you would demand nothing less!!).
Many thanks to outgoing Vice President, Bill Lewellen. Bill has served as and Officer
and Director of 11 ACVVC for many years and was the Chairman of our great Scholarship
Committee. Bill will turn over his reins to John Sorich. Now is a good time to mention
that we gave a record 15 scholarships this year and if our calendar and raffle continue to
do as good as it has, we will be able to continue giving many scholarships to our member's
children. Also leaving a Board position is Warren Swinford. Warren has also been a
Director for many many years and headed up our Membership Committee. They both worked many
long hours for the organization and deserve a lot of credit for making 11 ACVVC such a
great organization. Gentlemen, we thank you!! Reunion XV will be in Buffalo, New York, site of one of the six wonders of the world,
Niagara Falls. John Forti will be the host Reunion Chairman and has been working for a
year already to hope to claim to have had the "Best" reunion ever. The dates are
August 3-6, 2000 at the Adam's Mark Hotel. Be an "early bird" and make your
hotel reservations now at:(716)-845-5116. They are located at: 120 Church Street; Buffalo,
NY 14202. Also, (if available on our site)complete a registration form and get your fees
in early. This will guarantee you a seat at the Saturday night banquet. Remember, the $55
fee is due for each person attending, regardless of age of the person(s). Inasmuch as
Buffalo is drivable for many of our Troopers who live in the Northeast area, we expect a
large turnout for this reunion. From Debbie, April and myself, we want to wish each and everyone of you a great
Thanksgiving. Let's remember all we have to be thankful for and enjoy this traditional
family get-together. ALLONS, Ollie W Pickral President, 11 ACVVC (K-Troop '68-'69) Message From The President Reunion XIV is history now and I hope everyone attending got home safely and will
remember this reunion as one of the best to date. The hotel, Town and Country, provided
food, drink and an excellent atmosphere for a great reunion. The facilities were
“First Class”, the food in their restaurants was very good and they helped in
putting on one of the best reunions thus far of the 14 we have had. Ken Miller, the
reunion chairman made an excellent choice of the hotel and his great organizational skills
made the weekend go smoothly without a major hitch. We had two great speakers for the weekend. “Jug” Burkett, author of the book,
Stolen Valor, spoke to the group on Friday evening at the Stable Your Mount Party and our
very own, Brigadier General Terry Tucker spoke to the est. 800 troopers, family and
friends at the Saturday night banquet. On Saturday, buses ferried everyone to Balboa Park, the site of our Memorial service
for our Killed in Action and for those Blackhorse troopers who died since the last reunion
in New Orleans. The weather was absolutely beautiful. The high for the weekend was 73 degrees with a
low of 63 degrees for the evenings. With the San Diego trains across the parking lot, many
troopers and their families went all over San Diego to see the sights. It was very
convenient, clean and carried you most everywhere you wanted to go. The Reunion Committee
consisting of Gene Johnson and chairman, Ken Miller, Mike Forti, Robert Hoyt and myself
did a great job to assure the weekend went without any problems. 11 ACVVC presented it’s two special awards at the Saturday night banquet. The Jack
Quilter Memorial award was presented to John Casterman of M Company and the 11 ACVVC
Trooper of the Year award was presented to Eric Newton of K Troop, our Public Information
Officer (PIO) for his efforts of assisting in getting our Website up and running and his
notification to the various newspaper, radio and television stations of our gathering in
San Diego. A special thanks goes out to all those that helped out at various times for the
Quartermaster Store, Registration and coordination with the hotel to assure everything was
accomplished that made the weekend a wonderful event that all attending will remember. We
now set our sites to next year for the reunion in Buffalo. We will meet next year on August 3 – 6, 2000 in Buffalo, New York, sight of the
Niagara Falls. We will be at the Adams Mark Hotel, which is now under a $4 million
renovation. It is a truly beautiful hotel whose Sales office is dedicated to showing us
old crusty veterans a great time while there. Reunion Chairman, Mike Forti has been
working a year now to make sure this reunion is another great success. For you early
birds, you can make your reservations by calling 716-845-5116. In my next message, I will let you know about the elections that took place in San
Diego and who will be leading 11 ACVVC for the next few years. Now, in closing, all you troopers know about next year’s reunion and many of you
have relocated your old buddies because of our website. Call them up and make sure you get
commitments from them to meet you in Buffalo next August for Reunion XV. Hey, that’s
why they call them Reunions and it's time you attend and see your old buddies. Till next time, ALLONS !!!! Ollie Message
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Date Nov, 1999