12th Cavalry News - Saber Column
November - December 2007
Ken Howser

DA 1594 Daily Staff Journal of the 12th Cavalry Regiment

0001 Journal Opened. Hey Sailor, new in town? Good evening Mr. and Mrs. America, and all the ships at sea; let’s go to press. This past two months many items have been proceeding apace on numerous fronts. The AFL season 2007 has concluded and the differing major leagues of baseball are in their championship series, forging ahead to the World Series, while the NFL plows along to February. The cards and letters, email, and phone calls trickle along and look to pick up. There is great news ahead on the coming deployment home of our troopers and the regiment, plus news of a new 12th Cavalry and brigade. Among others, there are welcome items on the agenda concerning Branson and Kokomo, Charlie, Jim, El Tee, the Major, Marty, and the MG.

0100 We pay honor to the ultimate sacrifices made in the service of freedom and the American way of life by 38 of our currently serving Troopers and attached unit personnel. For the full details glom on to the website, from which these were redacted. They include the following patriots; SPC Brandon THORSEN, CPL Jeremy L. STACY, PFC Jonathan M. ROSSI, PFC Raymond N. SPENCER Jr., SPC Darryl W. LINDER, SPC Francis M. TRUSSEL Jr., SSGT Anselmo MARTINEZ III, SGT Casey NASH, SPC Joshua ROMERO, CPL Dan NGUYEN, SGT William W. BUSHNELL, SPC Jason SHAFFER, SGT John ALLEN, SGT Ed SANTINI, PFC William DAVIS, PFC John LANDRY Jr, SPC Adam ROSEMA, SPC Barry MAYO, SGT Blake HARRIS, SPC Ryan RUSSELL, SPC Ronnie MADORE, SGT Carl SEIGART, SGT John RODE, PFC Branden CUMMINGS, SGT Robert THRASHER, SPC Leeroy CAMACHO, SSGT Eric ROSS, SSGT Alan SHAW, PVT Clarence SPENCER, SPC Eric R. SIEGER, PFC Nathan FAIRLIE, PFC Ryan BERG, CPL Jonathan SCHILLER, SPC Richard SMITH, SPC John BARTA, SSGT Daniel MORRIS, SFC Schuyler HAYNES, and SGT Mitchel MUTZ. They were faithful to the their fellow Troopers and to the Code of the Soldier - may they dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  As they were faithful in their endeavor, we must also be faithful to their memories and help the widows, children, and families they leave behind. Support the Trooper Fund through the 12th Cavalry treasurer.

0200 The September Branson, MO Vietnam and 12th Cavalry Reunion went well from all reports by Roger KING. Roger had the 12th Cav Archive’s 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1969 histories for the 1/12th Cavalry on display and states the histories were well received by the viewing public. Alan and Tweek VANDAN report the Kokomo, IN Vietnam Reunion was a hoot, and huge to boot, with 3 days of outdoor concerts (country, rock, blues and veteran music). A group brought in Huey's including a 1st Cav medivac chopper and did a parachute jump. A re-enactment group in complete jungle gear conducted a mock patrol around the grounds. A picture is included of Harold BAUER, Reid KEPLER, Jerry BARFIELD, Joe DIMARTINO, Alan VANDAN, and Jerry RICHARDS from C Co, 1/12 in 1968. C Co, 1/12 Troopers from 69-70 present but not in the picture were: Donovan HOLDERREAD, Mike HIGGINS, Rick SIMPKINS, and Ron SAUER.

0300 Ah, there’s good news tonight from the Texas home front as Trooper Charlie BADER took one for the Regiment at Fort Hood. The Division has a monthly ceremony to recognize Volunteers of the Month and Charlie was on hand to accept an award for the 12th Cavalry Regiment Association. Doing double duty as well as saving on gas, Charlie visited the 1/12th rear area, talked to a number of Troopers and visited the 1st Cav Division Museum. There he found a number of regimental documents that are not available elsewhere, later he will return to review and copy these and additional regimental documents.

0400 Jim BREEN writes a couple of letters from downtown PA. In his vacation area of rural PA are a large percentage of veterans. He constantly wears unit/veteran belt buckles and hats as a way to contact fellow vets. He has had a neighbor for the past 12 years with whom he never achieved closeness. Lately the guy has a new Disabled Veteran tag on his car (it is PA), so what shakes? Grasping his courage by the neck Jim asks him about the new tag and is floored to learn the neighbor was a line officer with the 1/8th Cav and a two tour Vietnam alum of the Mighty First Team. Jim is carefully stalking him to bring the lost safely home. Good on ya, Jim!

0500 Concurrently I have found an Asian-American man named Sam where I petrol the Cavmobile - I was wearing Cav gear and he tells me he was in the Cav. I left him a business card but returned later, with a Saber as a gift, to question him on his statement. He certified again he was with the Cav, in Korea, and in the 15th Admin. He tells of going through two inspections during his service: an Ag and an IG, if I remember correctly. Both times they were due, his unit suddenly TDY-ed him elsewhere! He got the best of both worlds. Hey, what’s not to like?

0600 http://ElTeesBikeRide.TypePad.Com/elteesbikeride/ - El Tee FORD has finished his cross-country bike ride. I mentioned his attempt of a southern route transit in the last issue. Misfortune befell him and he soared above the fray in differing circumstances than he had planed. Check out the story in his thoughts and words.

0711 I received a call from my buddy Julio Martinez, Texas, saying he was airborne incoming in-country East of the Mississippi to visit his daughter and her family in "my little town". I was all set to meet him and his wife at the airfield and take them on the grand tour through Washington rush-hour traffic. Then I was afflicted with the 13 degrees of withdrawal when he called me and said he was now not coming in, and that I should quit circling the airport access road. To bad Julio never got over his military training and was flying ‘Stand-by’, so that is what he is doing until next year. You have my ironclad 50% guarantee that this is 100% accurate as I imagine it.

0800 Major Roger L. KEHRIER, B & D 2/12, Feb 1967-Feb 1968, has written a series of emails describing his time in the Nam and his return to country as a member of “Vets with a Mission”. He welcomes the chance to reconnect. He describes in poignant detail his lifetime search for the never recovered remains of his friend Lt James STONE. His words about a Vietnam battle site today: “I could not believe the building and changes in the area. Only my memories assured me that I was in the correct area – and by using a GPS and a military lensatic compass, which allowed me to shoot azimuths. From the air there's no evidence of either artillery or bomb damage. All signs of war were removed per the government; all the equipment (tanks, APC's, etc) were scraped, cut up, and sold, and all the bomb and artillery damage was filled in, excepting in the remote areas.” Thank you Major!

1000 www.Xlibris.Com Martin C. COY, 11 Airborne at Ft Benning when it morphed into the 1st Cav, has written his first book - “Not All So Tall Tales”, in at a brief 66 pgs. The book is a series of stories based on his life experiences and his tour of Vietnam. The tales show human interaction and encourages the reader to view the results in a differing manner, especially if they have experienced the same situation before. They are not meant to judge, but to open new ways of thinking and analyzing the how, and why, people react to varying situations. You may read an excerpt at the listed website.

1200 A US Postal letter arrived from Major General Guy S. MELOY, Vietnam Oct 1970-Sept 1971. The MG covers many issues and covers them well. He served as battalion commander of the 1/12th Cav for one full year when the gold standard was a 6-month command. None of the battalions had a motto so he coined one and had it painted on his C & C bird: “The First’s Team First String”. I guess this made the 2/12th the ‘Second String’! He caught flack for his flair, but his brigade commander supported him. He remained with the Cav in Vietnam and was present when the colors were cased to return to Ft Hood.

1300 The majority of MG Meloy’s letter describes an episode on Christmas Eve 1970. It will be printed in the AUSA “ARMY” magazine this December. It had me crying. On a firebase in the middle of nowhere, Vietnam jungle late at night, warm, very dark with no moon but thousands of clear stars, with all Troopers practicing light and noise discipline. Suddenly someone on the perimeter starts singing “Silent Night”, others join in slowly until the whole FB is singing, verse upon verse, until suddenly it stops as if preordained. Every season since, whenever he hears “Silent Night”, he vividly remembers that Christmas Eve night. Thank you MG for sharing your experience. You must read it! See, I do have friends in high places.

1400 As a remembrance of the grand time the 12th Cav had in Riverside in June, those that actually schlepped to the left coast, I am including a picture that did not make the director’s cut last edition - “The 12th Cavalry meet Elvis in Hollywood”: (left to right: Larry STOFFEL, Alan VAN DAN, Elvis, Jeff SPRATT, and Rick ZANDER.) Elvis lives!

1600 www.cvvm.org - Jean RISLEY  is the sister of B 2/12 Medic Robert TILQUIST, KIA November 1965 (a Distinguished Service Cross recipient). She asks that we publicize the Connecticut Vietnam Veterans Memorial website. They are soliciting contributions for the $24,000 cost of Connecticut’s first Vietnam memorial. Her brother is her inspiration - “It just means that 612 men will finally be memorialized. It has been 41 years, and no one has done this." Keep the faith Jean, it’s all downhill from here.

1800 www.woundedwarriorproject.org/MikeErwin - The Wounded Warrior Project assists America’s seriously wounded soldiers from the moment they arrive back home and helps them carry on with life after their life-altering injuries. Army Captain ERWIN, formerly the S2 1/12 Cav was to run in the New York City Marathon on 4 November to raise money and awareness of this project. These soldiers’ lives may have been changed forever, but your contribution will show them America’s appreciation for their sacrifices. You can visit this site to view his story or to contribute.

2000 From the rear area 1/12th Cav: ”1-12 Cav area of operations remains calm after months of intense fighting. Civil military operations and reconstruction continues to be the focus, as we get ready to conduct a Relief in Place/Transition with our replacements. We are continuing to improve the infrastructure - sewage repairs, canal and highway clean-up projects. We are also repairing schools, supplying desks and books to demonstrate our goodwill. We are providing the Iraqis with all the things we take for granted at home. Be proud for your loved ones, because they are accomplishing extraordinary feats daily. In addition to reconstruction efforts, 1-12 continues to aggressively pursue insurgents. The Iraqi Army has displayed remarkable improvements in their ability to conduct combat operations. The Military Transition Teams are designed to train the Iraqi Army to plan, command and control, and provide administrative and logistical support to Iraqi operations. Through this partnership, 1-12 Soldiers are teaching their Iraqi Army counterparts the tactics, techniques and procedures that have proven to be successful. Your loved ones deserve the credit for the Iraqi Army’s continuing success.” A big Gracias to the battalion rear detachment, and you can access the complete document on the website.

2200 Until I see you again, I wish you all a glad Veterans Day, a grateful Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Years, a hearty Valentine’s Day, and a presidential President’s Day. (Remember these are suggestions only, and you remain free to choose any or all, or to celebrate those you chose for yourself). Remember and support our Troopers however you can or may. Counting the days until they all come home safely. Write if you get work.

2400 Journal Closed

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Pictures are in this order and you may stick them where you will as meets spacing requirements. I do not care if they are all together top, bottom, or separate, that’s why you two get the big bucks. Last one listed gets deleted first, survival of the fittest.

2007_Branson_Harold Bauer, Reid Kepler, Jerry Barfield,Joe DiMartino, Alan VanDan, Jerry Richards_ C_1-12_018

Caption: 2007 Branson Vietnam Veterans Reunion

Left to right - Harold BAUER, Reid KEPLER, Jerry BARFIELD, Joe DIMARTINO, Alan VANDAN, and Jerry RICHARDS

100_2252_2007 Reunion_ Swells on the Town

Caption: The 12th Cavalry meet Elvis in Hollywood

Left to right: Larry STOFFEL, Alan VAN DAN, Elvis, Jeff SPRATT, and Rick ZANDER