12th Cavalry News - Saber Column
May - June 2009
Ken Howser

 

 

0001 Journal Opened. Hey Stranger, new in town? Your friends and neighbors have chosen you (special!) to represent them in the United States Army (in general) (and the 12th Cavalry in specific). Welcome, heft a stein, sit at my feet and read.

0106 *9 March 2009 1/12 Cav edited> “Chargers: It has been an eventful two and a half months since we departed the friendly confines of Fort Hood, Texas and made our way halfway around the Earth. During that time the battalion arrived in Kuwait and executed the necessary training and preparation needed to proceed north into Iraq. Shortly after the New Year, we moved into our new home at Qayarrah West Airfield, aka Q-West and rapidly transitioned with 1/3 ACR.  All the hard work and preparation in October and November paid off as this deployment into theater and relief of 1/3 ACR was completed without a hitch. Since the transition of authority the battalion has partnered with local police, oil protection services and the Iraqi army to support them in providing security throughout this vast area. Because of the size of our area of operations, the number of partners as well as the multitude of problems and issues that arise, our Soldiers are staying extremely busy - there definitely are no days off in AO Charger. Above the normal day-to-day patrols, the battalion also provided security support for the provincial elections held at the end of January and is in the midst of transitioning over 1000 Sons of Iraq from US control to Government of Iraq control. On top of this we transitioned two combat outposts to another battalion and repositioned each company.”

0206 “Each company will have unique experiences as the area is greatly diverse throughout. For example, Hellraiser is not only working with Sunni Arabs (as everyone else is) but also a sizable Kurdish population so it is normal for them to have conversations in three different languages (English, Arabic, and Kurdish) simultaneously. Bonecrusher occupies terrain that contains farmlands and river valley with small villages, as well as mid-sized towns. Crazyhorse area contains 'the Gateway to Hell' at the al Hadr ruins that you may have seen in opening scenes of the movie, "The Exorcist". Diablo is in the industrial suburbs outside of the major metropolis of Mosul and Wardog roams the expansive Jazeera desert.  Finally, Easy Company gets to experience it all as they provide their consistently exceptional support to all.  Additionally, Apache, attached to Steel Dragons, is farther north in Mosul proper. In closing, although much has been accomplished in the past five years we still have a mission to complete and all are working tirelessly to that end. We see the improvement on a daily basis as the Iraqi's are taking control of their security and of their future with our Soldiers' providing continual assistance.  We can be very proud of what each and every Charger Soldier does on a daily basis to eliminate terrorist threats, provide security, and assist the local governments in providing for their populace. Aways Ready!” <LTC Mike Fadden & CSM Eddie Del Valle.

0306 1/12 Family Readiness Group has the 1-12 Basic Black Throw still available for the discerning connoisseur, and offers other fine items from their dedicated website sutler's storefront.< http://www.cafepress.com/1stcav12threg >.

0406 *27 February 2009 2/12 Cav edited> “Greeting Thunderhorse: We are in the downhill portion of our deployment. I know that there will be anxiety and enthusiasm in knowing that we will be coming home, but now more that ever do we need to be focused and vigilant in our preparation and transition. If not, the consequences and results could be very unfortunate not only for our Soldiers, but also for the strong bond and relationship that we have built with the Iraqi leadership and people in both of our Provinces. As always our Soldiers and leaders are doing remarkably - remaining flexible to change happening not only in our own government, but the post election atmosphere and holiday here in Iraq. You need to know that we, together with the Iraqi leadership, are directly responsible for a completely safe and secure Provincial Election, with no acts of violence, and the result that over 50% of the people voted for their candidates. Though it may seem small to some, this is History being made and your Soldiers are living it. I can't say enough how proud I am of the Soldiers, Leaders and Families.  We are truly making a difference and look forward to reuniting with you soon.” <CSM William May.

0506 2/12 Family Readiness Groups continue to offer a widening array of products to support themselves and fund their support of their soldiers. New this issue is a white 2-12 t-shirt, printed Thunder Horse 2-12 front and  GI Joe graphics back to support E 2-12; cost a paltry $16. For $50 to support 4th BCT you can chose an Art of History Mark Churms color print of the team in Iraq, based upon a photograph. Available for the low price of $12 this month is a t-shirt design created by current SGT Capazzi in HHC! It has a full color 3-D like image of a skeletal 1800's cavalryman, wielding a 2-12 guidon against a background of flames, to support HHC Hellraisers. Shirts may be purchased for yourself or donated to a HHC Trooper. The goal is to donate a shirt to each of the 76 HHC Troopers.  As ever and always a note to myself will bring photos and contact information on all items listed. 

0606 Edited> RELEASE 20090415-01 Maj. Chad Carroll, 4 BCT Public Affairs 15 April 2009> “The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division will begin returning to Fort Hood next month after their year-long tour in Iraq. The brigade was originally scheduled to return in September, but improved security conditions in the brigade’s area of operations allowed Army leaders to redeploy the brigade at the one-year mark. The 4 BCT has been operating in southern Iraq in three provinces: Dhi Qar, Muthanna, and Maysan, and have partnered with Iraqi Security Forces to improve security and support development in the region.

0707  “The brigade’s main body flights are scheduled to arrive at Fort Hood during the final weeks of May. The entire unit is scheduled to return by mid-June. “Our Soldiers have performed exceptionally well this year,” said Col. Philip Battaglia, 4 BCT commander. “While they are excited to return back to the ‘Great Place,’ we remain focused and professional on our various operations.” Battaglia noted the unit’s comprehensive safety and reintegration program in place for the Soldiers once they return.  “We have key training sessions each Soldier will attend which will actually start here in Iraq and continue once everyone is back at Fort Hood,” he said.  The sessions will address stressful topics that returning Soldiers have historically encountered upon returning from a combat tour.  “All of us leaders are committed to ensuring we properly prepare our Soldiers to adjust to life back at home,” he said.”

0806 Fiddlers Green> Alan and Tweek try to keep me informed of all doings in their circles of friends. It was from them I learned of the passing of David V. Carmody, age 61 of Kalamazoo, MI, survived by his wife Colleen, sons Sean and Julian, and daughters Kellam and Mary Carmody. David graduated from Portage Central High School in 1965 and went on to pursue a business degree at WMU. Before he could be drafted for military duty, he enlisted in the US Army in 1966. He served valiantly in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star for meritorious service, two Bronze Stars for valor, a Silver Star for gallantry, and a Purple Heart. David was a Platoon Leader with C Co 1/12 in 1968 and also with the Pathfinders in 1968 as well. While a  1st LT in C he was offered a field commission by the Army to Captain, but declined. (It is believe he retired as a Major.) On Memorial Day 1979 year, he was honored by his community with the Vietnam Veteran of the Year award.

0906  Reading the current Saber I crossed the notices of the deaths of these 12th Cav Troopers: 21 December 2008 COL ® John B. Rutland, Jr., HHC 1/12 1965-66; 19 February 2008 SFC ® Ardell W. Shaw, HHC 2/12 1966-67;  23 August 2008 Charles N. Van Doren, 12th Cav 1944-45. If anyone has stories, memories, snaps or other memorabilia to share about these troops please send them along so they may be better memorialized. I don't get updates from the Div Association or the 12th,  the only way we all will know is if each member keeps track of his brother and forwards updates on their lives.

1006 Depending on printing date you may still have time to get on board, register and attend this years tattoo; so,  slaughter the fatted calf and spend the shekels on the reunion at Hood. Every reunion is the best if you have never been and you will see sights never seen and events never participated. Let your hair down and place fear in the rear view, you will never be alone for want of a friend or someone with whom to chew the fat. You will never be the only 'first timer' at even your first reunion, you will probable be overwhelmed with first timers. Even with my quick turn of phrase I find myself constantly at a loss to fully and definitely explain and describe to others my love and fascination with our Cav reunions. Let this quote from the Army News Service suffice: "Platoon Soldiers become lifelong friends. You share so many experiences together which you can never explain to someone else. They would never get it. However, you always have your fellow Soldiers to go to." So, if you spent three weeks or thirty years in, sign back on and shuffle on down - you have a friend awaiting you in the Cav!

1106 Life is tougher currently for  a wide variety of people and those on fixed incomes. Some have seen the net worth of their 401 'lifetime retirement' shrink away exponentially. Some near retirement have put it off or can see no way in their future to retire. Some are again seeking work to once again help meet their financial needs. In other words, as always, your attendance is a matter of personal choice only, and you are best qualified to judge your own status. Don't go broke or pay credit card rates if it places you in a bind.

"Platoon Soldiers become lifelong friends. You share so many experiences together which you can never explain to someone else. They would never get it. However, you always have your fellow Soldiers to go to." - Army News Service.

1206 World War II Ends in the Pacific. Text by Janice Reynolds Cook  and based on information and pictures provided by William G. Reynolds, Jr. What ever happened at the ending of WWII and how did the war wind down and the peace negotiated? Ever wanted to know? You surely don't believe they just showed, up all on their own, in Tokyo harbor one day to sign the peace treaty, do you? Have you ever heard of 'white peace planes with green crosses'? This is a good one page site to explain and describe all of the above and more, little known or acknowledged details of the conflict in the Pacific. There is a lot here I never heard before and if your curiosity is as peaked as was mine, you might read further here, and Google other sites to give differing views as did I. Highly recommended.  < http://chs.cullmancats.net/ww2.htm >.

1306 Edited> On February 27 & 28th Jim Stokely and I attended the semi-annual meeting for the Officers of the 1st Cav Div Assoc at Fort Hood Texas . Jim and I visited with Steve Draper, curator of the Museum. Steve wants me to set-up files for our documents and catalog them so he can use my filing system as the standard for all the other regimental documents. He offered to pay the majority of my expenses when I return to Fort Hood. He gave me the key to the document archive room and let us review the 12th Cavalry documents unattended. On prior trips I was always escorted. We reviewed two boxes of 12th Cavalry documents to see what all was there and I copied a few documents. Due to time constraints we had to leave prior to looking at all the boxes of the 12th Cavalry papers. I’ll be coming back sometime within the next couple of months to review and copy documents that I don’t currently have on file. I’m attaching one of the documents I copied. It’s the cover of 1947 Regimental newsletter and the original has red on the guidon and the crest is yellow; an absolutely beautiful piece of artwork.”

1406  “Late Friday afternoon we met with Captain Sheehan rear detachment CO 2/12 Cavalry, and Captain Toll rear detachment CO 1/12 Cavalry, discussing coordination between the active units and the Regt Association. Jim also had a conversation with Tracey Jones, the 2/12 Family Readiness Group (FRG) Support Assistant. Saturday morning was the Museum and Foundation meetings and Saturday afternoon the Division Association meeting. While Jim attended the Assoc meeting I attended a 1/12 Battalion FRG meeting chaired by Brenda Fadden, the Battalion Commander’s wife who is also the Battalion FRG Leader. There were about thirty wives present along with about sixty small children. I also met Susie Carter, the 1/12th FRG  Support Assistant and 1SG Bach, the 1/12 Cav Read Detachment First Sergeant. After Captain Toll gave an operation report about the Batt in Iraq, I had the opportunity to speak to the group about the purpose of our Association. Then I discussed the upcoming 1st Cavalry reunion in June and asked them to submit ideas to Captain Toll as to the type of functions that our Association can sponsor for the families of out Troopers during the reunion. Currently they seem to be leaning toward a BBQ.” <Charlie Bader.

1506 People constantly ask we what I can find to read in the Saber and I tell them the one I like best is the guy who writes for the 12th, I like the cut of his giblets and I always read his stuff first. Next I read Mouse of the 8th who is most like him in style and content. Mouse always plugs away at why it is best and that you should go to all the reunions. He doesn't let up for a minute. Then I turn around and start at page one and read each page in turn, following loyally through each article. There are no bad stories and no bad scribes for the Saber. Each is a matter of personal taste and style and all expound religiously on the same themes: reunion, brotherhood, comradeship, association, finding that friend and comrade,  X Regiment/company/group is 'the Best of the Cav', websites, history, and enjoying the fruits of your service to Cav and country. Dang, I believe I have just talked myself into reading the Saber a second time!

1606 In the planning stages> DMZ Veterans Reunion 2009. Dates - Monday, November 9, through Wednesday, November 11with additional, optional overnight into Thursday, November 12. Location - Double Tree Guest Suites, Plymouth Meeting (in west suburban Philadelphia), Pennsylvania. Hotel Rate - $99.00 per night for double occupancy (6% PA sales tax); additional $20.00 for third person on pull-out couch bed; this rate includes $16.00-value-full-breakfast buffet. < MDSWITMER@AOL.Com >.

1706 Purple Heart Update> “2/28/2009, year to date we have processed 23 12th Cavalry Purple Heart “Free” lifetime membership applications from our general recruitment fund of $10K. Thanks for all the publicity for free memberships.” <Trooper Roger Kehrier. Have YOU! Applied?

2206 Kokomo 27th Annual Vietnam Veterans Reunion> Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 18, 19, 20, 2009 The Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization, 8313 East 400 South, Greentown, IN 46936 Phone: (765) 628-0297 FAX: (765) 628-3068, < VVeterans@AOL.Com >.

2306 Don't clear the left and don't clear the right. Clear and make way up the middle, SGT Rock is bursting through shedding tacklers as he goes! My advice is worth every penny charged and cheaper by far than counseling (better a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy). Nothing of note happened the rest of the day, chill; write if you get work.

2400 Journal Closed.