12th Cavalry News - Saber Column
July - August 2008
Ken Howser
DA 1594 Daily Staff Journal of the 12th Cavalry Regiment
0001 Journal Opened, “Hey Sailor, new in town?” Boy, the people I meet when I don't have my knife!
0300 – Good news Bad news department: The good news is we found Douglas Carroll THOMAS, 82, of Frederick, MD. The bad news is that we discovered him by reading his obituary; he passed on Saturday, May 24, 2008. Trooper Thomas served during WW II in the 12th Calvary as a medic. He was also stationed in the Occupation Force in Japan where he helped to set up a base hospital. It was my pleasure and honor to represent the Regimental Association at his funeral service. In a further note, as we stand ready to render final homage to our 12 Cav Troopers, we need to watch the newspapers and other media for their memorial notices. We have members standing ready to represent us at these services and can always use more volunteers in differing regions of our nation. Charlie BADER is spearheading and guiding these efforts and you may contact him or me for details. Please notify me and the Association if you discover or are aware of the death of any past 12th Cav Trooper. This duty becomes more important daily with the current and pending deployments of our two active duty 12th Cavalry battalions. Support our active duty personnel in all ways (any way) that you can – the trooper support fund has been activated again for the 12th Cav Regiment. You may contribute funds or help in other ways, contact Charlie/Roger for details or to volunteer.
0400 – Location location location: Dave Bronczyk ,Rapid River, MI 49878, A 2/12 Cav Vietnam seeks the location and particulars of Randal P. LeBlanc, L.N.A. Baton Rouge, LA.,
0700 - Teletype received from the newly elected 12th Cavalry Regiment Association President Dave DENTINGER, DSC and other awards. “Greetings fellow 12th Cavalry Troopers. The 61st Annual 1st Cavalry Division Reunion in Jacksonville was a huge success. My wife Lynn and I met many of you wonderful folk at that reunion. I am honored and privileged to have been elected President of the 12th Cavalry Regiment Association. As the newly elected President of the Association, I would like to encourage all members to be active members of this wonderful organization. We each also need to persuade other 1st Cavalry Troopers to join and support the 1st Cavalry Division and the 12th Cavalry Regiment Associations. I would also like to encourage more of you to write your stories and post them on our 12th Cav website. These stories are not only interesting and healing; they are “Our History”. As all of you know, this is a Brotherhood that transcends many other relationships in our lives. My goal for the Association is to keep it alive and strong for the current and following generations of 12th Cavalry Men and Women. We also continue to support our two active duty battalions. My email and phone lines are open to anyone who has suggestions, comments or just wants to talk. Thank you for your service and, “Welcome Home Troopers”, David.
1100 - Members of C Co 1/12, {1968 incarnation}, visited in Bassett, Virginia with the family of Samuel EASLEY, Jr who was killed in action at Thon Gia Dang, Republic of Vietnam, on May 28, 1968. He was killed when Charlie Co was approaching the tiny village on the South China Sea while doing a 'sweep.' The family were presented with a replacement US flag to remember and honor their brother. The original flag and almost everything of Samuel's, including most of his pictures, were lost in a fire just a short time after he died. Alan VanDan, David KIPFINGER, and Jerry RICHARDS (who were all present at Samuel's death) were is Bassett for the memorial to the family on the 40 year anniversary of his death. In the next weeks the VFW Post and Junior ROTC would clean the churchyard where Samuel was buried and site the flag. {I will try and get a photo into a follow-on issue.}
1200 - Living next door to the Vandans is a gentleman in Basic Training with Alan, who deployed with the 101st ABN to Vietnam. He finally took the plunge and got married this month and Alan served as his best man. They went for 34 years without seeing each other and then he just happened to buy the place right next to them!
What are those odds? And then for the guy to ask him to be a part of the wedding party, was icing on the cake!
1500 – Posted in the registration area of the reunion and on the welcoming table at the Regimental Luncheon were pictures of CPL Richard Anthony “Doc” CHOPPA HHC, attached to C 1/12 (?), KIA 12/15/1967, Binh Dihn Province, Vietnam. His brother Jack wishes to hear from all who knew his brother in-country for recollections of him – the good, the bad, the sad and glad, to include any information on his death. His address is John J. Choppa, Hubbard, OH 44425.
2100 – The 61st Annual Reunion was held last week {to me!} and what an outstanding time I had. I have proof I was there – a case of the galloping-hotel-airline-internet- air conditioning-creeping-URTI-crud. Doing Jethro cyphering I get: 845 registered/preregistered + walk ins – the did not attend = ? effectives attended the Grand Illusion.
Firstly, the location and facilities were first rate – many claimed it was the best facility they had ever attended. I thought the prices of the on site restaurants and some nearby were a bit steep. My cheapest local supper cost was $7.52 for a Philly cheese steak and large sweet tea, other local sites were low in cost also. Secondly, all the staff and employees of the hotel were pleasant and outgoing, always friendly and courteous, and eager to converse with the guests. Whenever one needed a problem solved the staff went out of their way to solve the problem. I was impressed. This reunion I found the hospitality room invariably populated and often crowded, most times with men and women wearing 12th badges, crests, shirts, gear or hats. Part of my reasoning for enjoying myself so was I tried to meet, greet, shake the hand, look in the eye, and converse with each of these persons. If I missed you I am truly sorry, I tried my best. The Vietnam and 12th Cav luncheons were well attended and went off well.
The HSGMOR, the HCOR, the treasurer, the VN representative, the new president, and even the secretary stood and gave speeches addressing their duties of position. COL DINGEMAN was a hit as usual with his mystery gifts from his bottomless footlocker.
2159 – I am tempted to wax poetic here about reunion attendees, the Cav is our family (extended) and the regiment is our family (immediate), brothers and sisters, etc. Veterans and spouses do not judge or criticize, they respect and accept. Each is accepted for what they have done and are doing. Each has undergone the same defining moments, the acids of the crucible and the refining fires of their service to the Nation. If you view non posed pictures of the reunion you will see people enjoying each other, standing and sitting conversing, smiling and listening. Ancient or young we have affinity for each other, I even found two brothers who served in the Cav, different regiments, but how super is that? I have meet in person 3 individuals I have emailed for some time; I have three better friends and I have met many interesting and new friends I wish to be with until my last breath. My wife and family do not, but my military/regimental friends understand, without asking or attempted explanation. Closer than brothers!
2200 – Reunions: Third Annual 12th Cavalry Reunion, Branson, Missouri, Wednesday, September 10th through Sunday, September 14th 2008. A Troop 4/12 Cavalry Reunion, October 9th ,10th and 11th ,2008 Gold Coast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, Group code 8ATRC10. Charlie Company, 1/12th Cavalry Reunion, Tuesday, October 21st through Friday October 24th, Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, reservation I.D. is 8CHC10. Veterans Day at the Wall in Washington or your chosen Veterans Day venue. I hope you had a good 4th of July, I did. I ask the same for your Labor Day.
2400 – I am closing shop early to maximize exposure to the reunion pictures, enjoy. “Write if you get work”. Journal closed.