12th Cavalry News - Saber Column
September - October, 2009
Ken Howser

To the 12th Cavalry Regiment Family:  “Jim Dingeman, Honorary Colonel of the 12th Cavalry Regiment regrets to inform all those associated with our unit of the untimely death of Charles Edward Bader, Jr. on 17 August 2009 in Huffman, Texas. Charlie's remains were buried in a family only service on 21 August in the Veterans Cemetery in Houston, Texas. I have sent condolences to Charlie's family - Linda, Leslie and Christopher, on behalf of all the 12th Cavalry family. I am sure all of you are aware of the many contributions and tasks Charlie performed for us; he was dedicated worker for us as historian, webmaster, liaison to the active duty units and he was the power behind our program to support the families of our fallen troopers from the Iraq war. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Charlie!  Your spirit will continue to shine and help to guide us on our way.  I salute Charlie for all of us.” - James W. Dingeman, Colonel, US Army(R), Honorary Colonel of the 12th Cavalry Regiment.

0001 Journal Opened. This issue is not to be used as a flotation device! “When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battlefield, they have all one rank in my eyes.” - Napoleon Bonaparte

0110 Diss-abled vets drive me bloody crazy; you've met them! I am talking of those who diss any company, battalion, or regiment not their own. Same as with your high school or college classmates: if you have been out 60 years, they still have yet to attend reunion one and they live next to the school. This is not the glib japing that is de rigueur when talking about, to or with other divisions or armed services, they believe, mean and live it. They are never satisfied; If you talk company A, they want to hear of only company B. If you send an article about 1/12, these cats want to be sent only news of 2/12. Artillery is unnecessary, the engineers worthless, support doesn't care, etc., you know the rote. They never unite with their fellows and they don't attend reunions. They don't want telephone calls, letters, or emails, and I wouldn't show up at their door unannounced. Read the lead quote again. If anyone cares, I will barrack (AU meaning) with them till the end.

0210 Secretary Max Cleland of the ABMC wrote in to state implicitly that he and Charles Krohn did serve together in the 12th Cav in March 1968. Edited- “For most of my time with the 1st Air Cav I served as a signal officer with the 13^th Signal BN. In the middle of the Tet offensive and siege of Khe Sanh, I volunteered for the 2/12 BN, which is where I met Charles.  We worked together then, 41 years ago, and we work together now.” After my answering email, Max gave me a call at home, which was a first from someone I had written about. Thanks, on all accounts Max.

0410 Volunteered by Col (Ret) F. Barry Holland and edited - “On a cool July 23 Cooper Field morning, 4^th Brigade Combat Team held a Change of Command for the 2/12 Cavalry commanders. Col Philip F. Battaglia, 4^th BCT commander was the presiding official. The change of command followed long standing Cav tradition with the participation of the full Horse Detachment, including the “chuck wagon” and mascot, a band, and a bugler to sound calls. Col Battaglia in his remarks to the soldiers and assembly present praised the recent deployment of the unit and its soldiers. He outlined the accomplishment of their 12 month deployment and thanked the families and supporting members of the unit present for their continued support of the soldiers and their mission. Following his remarks Col Battaglia and the staff reviewed the troops assembled on Cooper field. Outgoing 2/12 commander LTC Scott Kendrick, who had expertly commanded and guided his troops during the OIF 08-10 deployment , is now en route to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Ft. McNair ,VA. Incoming 2/12 commander LTC Joe Holland and his family, (wife Laura, and children David, Emma, Andrew and Julia) recently returned from Heidelberg, Germany where LTC Holland was the executive officer to the V Corps Commander. Prior to that assignment, LTC Holland was the XO of the 1-12^th Infantry Battalion and the XO for the 1^st BDE, 4^th Infantry Division in Iraq.”

“Families of Thunder Horse, thank you for the wonderful welcome to Fort Hood on July 23rd! The soldiers looked wonderful and the Horse Detachment made it even more memorable. We are proud to be here and are anxious to meet and work with you. This is our third tour to Fort Hood. In an Army way, it feels like coming home. Our 4 children were happy to return to some of their friends and a house they had lived in before. We look forward to making more Texas memories with our 2/12 Cav family.” - LTC & Mrs. Joseph Holland

0610 There is lots of email and news traffic concerning everyone's worries and opinions about healthcare options. Next week or next month it will be a new topic we want to hash over and mash out. Research all matters thoroughly, and only on nonpartisan sites. If you cannot verify the facts before sending, do not forward. Remember; if you can believe it, it probably isn't true, and if you have a gut feeling, it's probably indigestion. No matter your views, please be gentle to your online friends by not sending or forwarding bogus chain letters. There is an online site which hosts email etiquette discussions and how not to burden your friends, all the while being both private and safe. <www.NetManners.Com > Back in March 2003, Chris Tarbassian started a small home-based 'project' which he called Operation Comix Relief. His idea has evolved into a much larger operation, as a result of which, he is now able and willing to send comics to any front line soldier. He figures he has shipped in excess of 20,000 donated comics to the combat theater and elsewhere, including Navy ships. “If you would like to donate to us, or know of a soldier who you think might like to receive one of our packages, please write us at the address provided.” The recipients of Tarbassian's comic book distribution operation have sent him letters, emails and photos in thanks, some of which he posts to his Web site < www.OperationComixRelief.Org >

0810 “In early 2005, with most media only reporting the bad things happening in Iraq and none of the good, NewsBlaze started the "Support Our Troops" section, to show the other side of the story, with soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan sending stories. Travel to see stories of Iraqis receiving clean running water where none was before, schools opening, health improvements, local economies improving. Stories of Iraqis, living just miles apart who never spoke to each other, working together to improve their own security, coached and encouraged by American heroes. Stories of Iraqis helping to find bombs, insurgents, weapons caches; stories of Iraqi soldiers, learning to serve their country and learning to think for themselves. Especially see how the sons and daughters of America give their all for their country and the world.” This site and newsletter also covers soldiers, sailors, and airmen around the world and at home, and has numerous submissions from the First Team. I often dumpster dive here for my gems. < http://NewsBlaze.Com/SupportOurTroops.html >  

1010 Trooper Roger L. Kehrier submits this final accounting per previous mention here, “Chapter #110 of the MOPH, (Battle Creek, MI) provided a total of 19 FREE lifetime memberships in the Order to members of the 2/12 and 1/12 Cav's @ $50 each. MOPH National Headquarters paid the remaining $75 in the applicant’s name. Thanks for all your help.”

1210 Email - “During my military career as an Army Engineer starting in the 60s and ending in the 90s, I've not known of another combat arms unit to do this for support units. This is special. Many of us have visited the page and greatly appreciate the thought and care that went into creating it. Please pass on our thanks to the members of the 12th Cav Regiment.” - Larry Jinkins, LTC, (Ret). (The 12th Cavalry Regiment Association established a memorial web page honoring the fallen members of support units that died in battle supporting the 2/12 during Vietnam. This page is located at <www.12thCav.us/In_memory_viet_212_unit_support.htm> and was put into place by our late webmaster, Charlie Bader.)

1410 Emailed in by Sam Veer - Vietnam A 1/12 Cav members from1969-70 held a reunion at the home of their former Lt. in Monticello, WI, the weekend of Aug 21-23. “It was the first time in almost 40 years for some of us to meet. We also took the opportunity to go to a short distance to Janesville, WI to meet with the family of Dennis (Korea) Glynn, one of our A Co brothers that had died in Feb.  It was a fun, emotional week-end, thanks in large part to Bill & Cherri Bell. Pictured L-R, on left of tree, Don Patton, George Davis in back, George Krieger, and Joe Land in front. L-R third row, Stan (Doc) Lee, & Dennis Schuettpelz.  Middle Row L-R, Dennis (Juicer) Dahl, Ken Burdwood, and Dennis Butler.  Lt. Bill Bell with Cav hat in center leaning forward.  Front Row, L-R, Bill Daly, Sam Veer, and Ray St. John.

1610 Lost & Found - I had a phone call from Sgt. Offard H. Hubbard. He is hoping to find anyone who knew his cousin Marvin Brown, Sherman, TX, Charlie or other company of 12 Cav, 66-69 frames with pictures, memories, etc. This is the wide spectrum; he believes the narrower to be 67-68. Marvin had a CIB, Silver and 2 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Air and Army Commendation Metals, and was maybe in the Khe Sanh operation. He could not cope when he returned home and mentioned nothing of his time or experiences. (Death by Vietnam.) Offard H. Hubbard, Jr.  As for BadBet6, John Owens, he should have had 3-4 calls and contacts by now from former company members. Carl Stryker states he was not at LZ Bird, he was in hospital when that action went down but all else is correct. He, with the help of Doug Warden has had news of Lt John Reike. Those desiring Reike news may contact me by email only.  Rich Ball has received a few contacts from 2/12 types but wants more EM’s and OF'ers to reply with any news of/for/and about his uncle, Ivan Boon and LZ Grant data. Charles Church sends, “By the way, Doug Warden and I have managed to track down our old friend from Vietnam, Larry Ashley. Amazing what info is available online.” Clint Leary mails, “if I was to die in combat, I would have died with the ideals the 300 Spartans had on 20 August 480 BC. (“When the Persian king offered, "We do not want your lives, only your arms," Leonidas answered, "Molon labe" -- come and get them.”) They died for their country and comrades. I am proud to have served with B Co 1/12th Cav.” Amen Brother! 

1810 W. Creighton Newton, 12th Cav WWII Trooper, rode away to Fiddlers Green on 5 July, 2009 in Louisville, KY. He was a retired state government branch manager, a Georgetown College graduate, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and the Ft. Knox Chapter 1st Cavalry Division Association. He is survived by his wife, Pat, son, Gregg, and six grandchildren. There were 12 members of the Ft. Knox Chapter in attendance.  A Stetson was presented to Creighton's wife by the chapter and placed on his flag-draped casket. In attendance was one of his 'foxhole buddies’, Tom Donatelli, who journeyed from Florida to attend the funeral.  Our humble, grateful thoughts and remembrances go to his family and chapter members. 

2010 NewsBlaze, edited - “PFC Chris Pointer and PFC Dillon McGrath are combat engineers with 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, and are deployed to Qayarrah, Iraq. These two Soldiers use their guitars to express themselves and agree that music is a stress reliever after a long drive to a meeting or a day of patrolling.  At the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center on FOB Q'West, the musicians play in a small room that has been "soundproofed" with padding and decorated with music posters and instruments. Several guitars, old cymbals, amplifiers, keyboards, microphones and of course the Soldier's ever-present M4 rifles adorn the floor, taking up most of the real estate. Every day is pretty stressful," McGrath said. "Everybody has their breaking point, but playing guitar gives me a clean slate, gets me pumped up to get the next day over with so I can come back and play guitar again." "It's something to do besides the mission. Nobody tells me how I can and can't do it, so I can make my own music the way I want to. I don't know how to explain it." said Pointer. After planning jam sessions back at Fort Hood with their new drummer, the guitarists headed back to their sleeping quarters, following the unlit path by memory. Refreshed, the young men were ready to face the next day's mission.” <<1/12 9 Month Video_0001.wmv>  <http://www.hotshare.net/en/file/176496-8210267d36.html> <Size: 107.43 MB - 5.19 minutes runtime>

2210 NewsBlaze, edited - Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held on July 23 for two water stations built in the Qayyarah sub-district of Ninewa Province, south of Mosul. These projects will dramatically increase the amount of homes that receive water and are a part of an ongoing campaign by the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment "Chargers", 3rd Brigade Combat Team, to provide the people of Iraq with essential goods and services. Prior to the renovations in Imam Sharqi the local residents had to alternate which villages would receive water from day to day.  Now all five villages can get water at the same time, supplying water to 150 homes.  The project in Imam Sharqi employed 30 local citizens for 60 days of work.  The old Tal Ashaier water station could only provide water to 150 homes.  With the renovation, the water station will provide sufficient water to 600 homes.  The Tal Ashaier water station renovation also employed 30 local workers for 60 days.  Lt. Col. Fadden said the battalion was glad to help the people of Tall Ashaier.  "We just finished the water station and should be starting the Tall Ashaier Boys School soon," said Fadden. "We will be here until the end of the year and will continue to help with projects as long as they're welcome," said Fadden.

2310 < http://www.1cda.org/VeteransDay_2009.htm > Do not forget the big do in Washington, DC, and at the Wall, Veterans Day.  Plan your visit and come on down. All info is elsewhere in the Saber, review it and decide what DC can do for you. After this, nothing of note happened the rest of the day; write if you get work.

2400 Journal Closed