12th Cavalry
News - Saber Column
September - October 2007
Ken Howser
DA 1594 Daily Staff Journal.
Journal opened 0001. Hey Sailor, new in town? Troopers of the 12th Cav arise, and unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. What does this mean? I have no idea but it sure does sound good, doesn’t it? There is nothing like meaningless rhetoric to get the greater masses attention. By this point you will probably have realized this space is in the hands of the new kid in town. Grab him, he’s nuts! Someone my age as the new kid, that’s rich. If I were any older I would be dust, as in dusted off. A simple country boy from the East, from Maryland, is elected secretary of a cavalry regiment, and from the West. Ah the wonders of the modern age. I trust the picture the powers that be decided to use didn’t put anyone off from reading this column. I provided 6 pictures and your editor chose one. It they used one of me without a hat just remember; perfect heads don’t need unsightly hair. I have been told that my picture keeps rats and other vermin away, (there is anecdotal evidence that placed under the mattress, it will cure bedbug infestation.)
0100. I would like to thank the outgoing secretaries emeritus of the regiment, Alan and Tweek VAN DAN, for their many long hours and their years of hard work for the benefit of all our 12th Cav Troopers, past and present. While I have the carpet, I would likewise commend to your attention the efforts and service of the past secretaries emeritus of the regiment that I can recall reading, Butch NORTH and Bill OAXACA. Each did the job and did it well, each one in their inimitable way and in their inimitable style. If there were more past secretaries that I have missed I apologize, I have forgotten them or never knew them. Thanks to one and all, you have been and are, gracious servants to your regiment and your fellow 12th Cav troopers.
0200. It is a labor of love to type this journal and see it through to fruition past the deadlines and repletion. It involves long hours on the net, the phone, and via letter. In the background of one’s mind must always be the looming presence of the column and the deadline. I do not want to be on the receiving end of a ‘howler’ from either Dennis or Lorinda. Yes, you are correct, that was a reference to high literature. I have indeed read all seven Harry POTTER novels, cover to cover as we say in literary circles. One must constantly be searching for ideas, material, pictures, links, written and oral histories, and the input from readers like you. No expense was shared in my education as I can read handwriting.
0300. How do you spell radar backwards? What does it spell when you spell it backwards? Why would you spell radar backwards anyway?
0400. Let us get this out of the way early: this column needs you. Keep those cards and letters coming in, also the email and phone calls. I need your stories and reminisces, and your thoughts about you service to this great division and regiment of ours. It matters not whether you are armor Cav, horse Cav, infantry Cav, border Cav, Airborne Cav, war Cav, peacetime Cav (what’s that?), old Cav, new Cav; long past with you service or active duty. Now heed this: rankings are not passed out as to whether you were or are in 1st. 2nd, 3rd, or 4th battalion of the 12th Cav, nor in favor of some vague time period, and specifically not according to the rank you held in service. However I write up news items I receive, they are in free range flow of consciousness as they are remembered by me, I do not put one perceived group or individual “first”. Your friends and fellow Troopers want to hear from you regardless, (not from me). Memories only last as long as the frail physical shell carrying them if they are not shared and written down on paper, or saved and archived in some other manner. Great treasure is being lost to your comrades in arms each day because no one thought it important, memorable, or of value – it is. Don’t make me start making things up, “I can, I will!”, bore you to death on numerable subjects you don’t want me to talk about. Any misspelling is the fault of WORD not mine; I trained it to my tastes.
0500. ***ADD PICTURE*** Work proceeds apace in the ongoing Archives Project: copying all available 1st, 2nd, and 4th Battalions, 12th Cavalry Vietnam era documents, then transferring them to digital media for distribution to the membership. On July 23rd, the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment Jim DINGEMAN, Charlie BADER, and I met at the National Archives II in College Park, Maryland. Over the years Susan FRANCIS-HAUGHTON, a Research Archivist, has been our main contact and she has been of tremendous assistance in helping us navigate the vast number of documents available at the Archives. Susan was presented with a 12th Cavalry Regiment Association Certificate of Appreciation for all her efforts and help on our behalf. In addition she received an “Old Bill” picture and some other items.
0501. ***ADD PICTURE*** In four and a half days we copied 6,079 pages of documents weighing seventy-seven pounds, one page at a time - the National Archives copy machines do not have automatic feed due to the fragility of the documents. The cost was 15 cents per page. Among the records copied were daily Staff Journals, unit histories, monthly summaries, and After Action Reports and exit interviews from the 14th Military History Detachment. Of special note, we copied some Operational Reports for Troop A, 4/12th Cavalry that was part of the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). Based upon Charlie’s calculations there are still between 12,000 to 15,000 additional pages of Vietnam era documents to copy, which includes another 81 months of 1/12th and 2/12th Daily Staff Journals. The facilities for document, photo, and all research in the Archives are first rate. The food served in the cafeteria was excellent: portions were large and the prices were reasonable. I have been to ‘quality’ restaurants and cruise ships where the food was not as good as this. (Thus ends another restaurant review, I know what I like.) The archives team will be making future trips to the National Archives and if you live in the College Park, MD area and want to help with the Archives Project, please contact Charlie at webmaster@12thcav.us. Please feel free to sign up and stop by to help us with the eats, I mean food, I mean work, yeah, that’s what I mean.
0600. I have received one notice of a Trooper reporting for Sick Call. Trooper Ronnie A. GAINER, D 2/12 1969-70, has had a complete knee replacement and is recovering at home. Ron is sitting patiently by the phone with his leg iced and elevated.
0700. Do today’s Troopers and the Army still have KP? Inquiring minds want to know. Maybe that is just another remnant lost in the glory days of past experiences. What do they do now to inspire and motivate troops and instill teamwork?
0800. You have heard it all year long and from each and everyone of the Saber’s writers so you might as well also hear it from me. You need to saddle your pony and head to Washington, DC for the Veterans Day celebration at the Wall with all of your 12th Cavalry and 1st Cavalry Division friends. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Wall and it will be observed with speeches, speakers and color guards, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, all on 11 November. There will be a veteran’s parade in DC on Saturday the 10th of November. A great time is always had here at the Wall and I cannot conceive of truly, fully celebrating Veteran’s Day anywhere else or in any other manner. The speeches are first rate and moving and the entertainment is of the highest caliber. I relish the fact that the veterans and their families are so copious on this occasion, giving to all a sense of solidarity and accomplishment. My special thrill is in reading and viewing the numerous tokens and mementos left at the Wall to memorialize our fallen. I plan on being at the Wall will you be there?
The division association and other Cav groups have activities and luncheons or dinners planned, so check out the 1CDA website and other websites for all the details, and make plans to attend at least one Veterans Day at the Wall, maybe your first of many.
0900. Let us not hear the disparaging remarks in regards to my timeliness, I am doing the best I can here. We all know the Second Annual 12th Cavalry Regiment Vietnam Veterans Reunion was scheduled for Branson, MO on September 6th – 9th. One of the many highlights of the last Branson reunion was that in attendance were many 12th Cavalry veterans who never attended any of the 1st Cavalry Division Reunions. A need is being met here people and we need to be there for our members also. I have heard from a number of the leading lights of the 12th that they were attending, so I am awaiting their after action reports to fill us all in. I will share a summary of their experiences, opinions, and photos in our next issue, if/when they send it to me. I am just like the credit card companies and will dun you each month to sign up and give me information. (Get that people? I need the facts to fully inform you.)
1000. National Airborne Day was 16 August 2007. This screed is to all those who “qualified for the maroon beret, or who wished they had. There is a saying among non-paratroopers that ground week separated the men from the boys. Tower week separated the fools from the men. And during the third and final week, the fools jumped. The paratrooper jumps out of a perfectly good airplane ready to fight, knowing full-well that he will probably be outnumbered by the enemy on the ground; certainly surrounded; and that his survival depends on his ability to catch the enemy by surprise; kill him, perhaps in close quarters; and continue to fight with limited food, equipment, and ammunition until he is reinforced by heavier ground units.” Belated birthday wishes to the Airborne of the 12th Cav and thanks to Alan & Tweek for the forward of this celebration.
1100. I received a letter from Trooper Jim BREEN, Jim is happy to be in touch and promises to send along stories and his remembrances as he gets to them. Jim was in D 2/12 when it was a support company with the 106mm Recoilless Rifle until the Division got tired of airlifting the thing; then they were a .50 cal machine gun company with a mortar platoon, and finally the Army in its great wisdom made them a recon company. Jim also has his own opinions as to the honor, or lack there of, of the Vietnamese he was fighting. Jim lost all memorabilia and pictures of his Vietnam tour when he went wounded to hospital. None of his personal items were shipped stateside to him, an all too familiar story to Vietnam era troopers. Some his friends have copied their pictures to him and I am sure would appreciate more, as he would receiving letters from the old platoon or any who knew him in country. He and his wife Helene are looking forward to a little more free time in their future.
1200. A note from Trooper Charlie BADER, website/archivist/historian guru to the stars, to link you to www.12thcav.us, the 12th Cavalry Regiment Association’s Fire Support Base on the World Wide Web, and to invite you to spend a couple of sleeps reading all the onsite material. He even forced me to contribute to the site or he wouldn’t let me strain my carpals at the Archives. There have 39509 hits to the site as registered today. Charlie reports Cathy GOINS, wife of Trooper Mo GOINS, Commander of the 1/12th Cavalry, spent a weekend with him and his wife, Linda. They toured the sights and sampled the finest restaurants, (my words) and enjoyed each other’s company while discussing the needs and thoughts of the active duty personnel. During her visit Charlie received a surprise telephone call from LTC Goins in Iraq, who thanked the 12th Cavalry Regiment Association for its support to include, the $500 donation to the Stetson Fund, packages and letters of support to our soldiers in Iraq, and for attending the funeral services for his 1/12th Cav Troopers.
1201. ***ADD PICTURE*** While Cathy Goins was at the Baders she presented them with a 1/12th Cav Throw. A picture is included to whet your appetite or your envy. This throw is perfect for covering your bod as you nap ‘watching’ your favorite NFL team lose on national television. The 1/12th Cavalry Family Readiness Group (FRG) at Fort Hood is selling this same “1-12 Cav Throw” as a fund raising project. The throw is 48” by 68” with fringe and made of 100% cotton. Charlie says they are huge and well made. These beautiful custom throw blankets cost $40, plus shipping at approximately $5. If you are interested in buying one of these beauties, please contact Trooper Roger KING through the Webmaster as noted above. Due to the manufacturing and shipping time, Christmas orders must be placed no later than October 8th. Yes, this year!
1202. The Trooper Support Fund donates money to the 1/12th Cavalry Family Readiness Group and others as either needed or requested. One of the ways to memorialize our fallen Troopers is with the donation of a fully equipped Stetson with all appropriate braid and pins to the Trooper’s family. The TSF also continues to give $50 memorial gifts to the charity of choice as requested by the family of fallen Troopers. Many families have not indicated any requests, however, eight gifts have been made with a few gifts pending. Donations for the Stetson Memorial and to the TSF can be sent to Trooper Roger KING through the Webmaster at the website. Checks are to be, made payable to 12th Cavalry Regiment Association.
1203. The Association has been accepting volunteers from among our members to serve as our representatives at the funerals of 12th Cavalry Troopers throughout the country, Troopers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. There is always room for others to help in this important duty and comrades on the ride to Fiddler’s Green and back make the time lighter on each individual. If you are willing to help us render final honors to our comrades and their families, please contact the Webmaster as noted above. I am giving the Webmaster all this attention and work; I hope he is appreciative of my efforts on his behalf!
1300. I attended the funeral of one of our church members who died after almost a month in the shock trauma unit at 40 years of age. Attending brought to the forefront of my mind as I cried, the funerals I have attended this year of my 12th Cavalry brothers. I am assuming that as I am now acclimated to this line of logic, at whatever funeral I attend for a civilian, I will always think of the funerals, and the sacrifices, of our military brethren. Each of these four men was young beyond their years. The minister was as moved to tears as the rest of us but his words of hope shown as clear as a new day. His message to the suffering was that God does not sit using a video handset, working the keys and going, “Got’cha!” Rather, if God is happy with your happiness and joyful with your joys and successes, then he suffers also when you suffer and is distressed at your distress. I hope this gives you the peace it gave each of us.
1400. Two reunions to call, which may be of note to our Troopers or others that read this column for their important notices; like watching the Comedy Channel for your news content. The Korean DMZ Vets annual reunion at Little Creek Casino, Shelton, WA took place 31 August to 2 September and you missed it. A little late for this year but you can watch/prior plan early for next year if this is your cup of hemlock. The 6th Annual Korea Cold War Veterans Reunion will be held in Oakland, CA Thursday 8 November through Monday 12 November. Personnel from all corps and divisions ever garrisoning Korea (Cold War Era specially!) are cordially invited to attend. Go to Http://BlueLancerValley.Org and click on ‘Reunions’ for complete information.
1500. Our local paper printed an article about LG Kinnard, 92, beloved icon of the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. You can Google the web for the article or email me for it. The gist of the story was that noise from a government mandated upgrade to a sewage plant is making his retirement years miserable. To quote the Washington Post, “He was at Pearl Harbor on the morning of the Japanese attack, manning a machine gun to defend the base. He parachuted behind enemy lines on D-Day to help secure the beachhead and later played a key role in the Battle of the Bulge. He served in Vietnam, including in one battle so ferocious it was made into a movie.” The HCOR, Jim DINGEMAN read the article and wrote me, “I worked with the General at Combat Developments Command, and later knew him when he was in Georgia selling helo's to the world. I liked him. He was quite a soldier in WW II.” Quite a complement coming as it does from the lips of Jim.
1600. ***ADD PICTURES*** I have it on good authority that a good time was had by all the swells at the Riverside reunion. A veritable cast of thousands along with the usual suspects. I am sending in some forwarded photos. I did not make the scene this year, maybe you will get lucky and meet me next year. The pictures that make the cut for quality will be placed in a space available capacity, just like your military experiences, remember? Good luck to you all.
1700. ***ADD PICTURE*** Trooper Ron "Shakey" Sauers Jr., C 1/12 1970-1971, is chairman of the Veterans Plaza Fundraising Committee in Streator, IL, raising funds to care for all of the various war and veteran’s memorials on the plaza. He and the other concerned veterans of his community are trying to raise funds to repair/replace any of the 276 memorial paver bricks that have cracked or otherwise eroded since being installed 12 years ago as part of the WW II Memorial project. The cost is about $2400 to replace the bricks and $1500 to make repairs to the WWII Memorial, plus the $2,000 annual cost of maintenance to all the memorials. He has spent the last 21 years raising monies to not let the memorials regress to where things were in 1986, when the projects started. As a testament to Ron’s good standing in his community; in 2004 he was given the first Veteran of the Year award as voted by the Veterans clubs in Streator. It is called the “Ronald Sauers Veteran of the Year Award”. As Ron relayed to me, “My life in Vietnam was saved by a friend who was killed. I swore I would find a way to keep his and the memories of all veterans alive.”
1800. Trooper Stephen Ford, B 1/12 1968-69, checks in from the road in CA where he is starting a cross country road trip pitting his body, mind, spirit, and bicycle against the Southern tier of the United States. Why? Because it’s there! Steve is the 12th Cavalry’s designated Lance Armstrong. I will force myself not to crack wise about Stretch Armstrong, no, not even once. The ‘plan’ is to leave LA or San Diego on Sunday the 2nd of September and climb over 4000 feet that first day. His next two days of ups and downs will also be about 4000 feet per day. “This ride has been a challenge that I have set in my heart for a very long time. It is about can I beat the desert, storms, mountains and day after day riding. It is also about meeting other vets and sharing with them how medical help and therapy has improved my life.” Steve has been extremely involved in veteran’s counseling with emphasis on PTSD. You can check on his status via his blog, i.e. ‘diary’ for those my age, where everyone can see what you write, Http://ElTeesBikeRide.TypePad.Com/elteesbikeride/.
2400. Remember to write, call, and email each of your friends (and me!) from your service days. You can even send email greeting cards any day of the year you feel a need, as I do those important people in my life. If they don’t respond, keep trying until they do, don’t give up on them. They are the best friends you will ever have and you are the best friend they will ever have. Sometimes friends get lost in where they are instead of where they should be. Work them through their trials, as you would have them help you. “Battle Tested is not just a copyrighted slogan of the US Army, it is a fact we who served the best dang regiment in the whole US Army know to be fact. I hope you have a wonderful Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, and other yearend holidays as your religion and culture celebrate them. Always, always, remember our fellow 12th Cavalry Troopers and their families as they serve our nation on active duty. Pray for them daily that they are protected and in good spirits, and can rise above the perils they face. Do what ever is in your power to give aid - the division and regimental association’s website offer some and there are many other ways to help show our support and love. You only need to choose one, you can contribute and volunteer to more if you are able or wish. We are their past as they are our future. Journal closes 2459.