Chester Elwood (Chet) Kennedy – 32nd Colonel of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Chet passed away 10 March 2014. He was born 19 July 1915, to Charles Francis Kennedy and Evangeline May Palmer Kennedy in Royal Oak, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State College with honors in 1941 and was commission as a second lieutenant in the US Cavalry. He took part in the U.S. Army’s conversion from horse cavalry to armor in advance of America’s entry into World War II.
Kennedy sailed for Europe with the Sixth Armored Division in 1944 and landed at Utah Beach on July 18. As a major commanding the 69th Tank Battalion, he participated in the relief of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. He emerged from the war with the rank of lieutenant colonel, having been awarded a Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, the Belgian and the French Croix de Guerre, and a Bronze and a Silver Star, both with oak-leaf clusters. He remained in the service after the war, obtained an MBA at Stanford, and was posted from the Inspector General’s Office at the Pentagon to the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, to comptroller duties in Alaska, to Fort Leavenworth again as an instructor, to the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, to the Budget Office at the Pentagon, and to USAREUR headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. He commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment on the Czech border in southern Germany in the midst of the Cold War.
After a 26-year Army career, Kennedy joined American Bank and Trust in Lansing, Michigan, as a trust officer. He remained with them until retiring in 1980.
He is survived by a daughter, a son, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Alicia Lavers Kennedy predeceased him in 2013.
Jerry W. Anderson. Jerry died on 28 February, 2014. He served in the U.S. Army from 31 August, 1962 until 9 August, 1965. He served with Troop M, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
From Jeannette M. Anderson, Jerry’s wife
Gilbert L. "Gilly" LaGosh. Gilly passed away on Sunday, 9 March, 2014. Loving husband of Chris (Gonzalez). Proud father of Toni-Marie, Gina, and lil Gil. Loving son of Beatrice. Proud Papa to Lilliana, Desirae, Kayden, Dakota-James, and Jerimya. Co-founder of the Wisconsin Vietnam Vets Chapter One and founder of the VOA motorcycle club. He was a former member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Gil was a Vietnam veteran who served under George S. Patton Jr. and a member of the Blackhorse Association. Allons Gilly ride free
From his friend Keith
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Point Alpha Update
On 26 March the Point Alpha Foundation opened its newest display at the House on the Border. The new exhibition opened after 5 months of construction. It contains a lot of new and fascinating information, to include an interactive map of the possible Warsaw Pact military actions in 1983 produced by a former East German army Colonel who worked on these plans. Below are some photographs of the new displays.
A while back some vandals desecrated the monument erected in Bad Hersfeld commemorate the service of the 3rd Squadrons of both the 14th and 11th Armored Cavalry Regiments in that town. The cost of repairs was beyond the capacity of the Association to cover.
Those of you that served in Bad Hersfeld know that the city was hugely supportive and friendly to the Americans that served there. And once again they have proved this, this time be agreeing to pay for the restoration of the monument. Just one example, the local Sparkasse has provided 4,800 Euro to city of Bad Hersfeld for repair. The monument stone has been removedand is at the stone mason’s facility.
The Association will continue to monitor this restoration and sends a big Blackhorse! Thank you to the citizens, government, and business of Bad Hersfeld for their continued support. Kudos also go out to Gaby Hasper, longtime S-5 of the Squadron, Steve Lungstrum, and Hans Duerr, who have worked tirelessly to make this project come to fruition.
We have added our annual golf tournament to the reunion plans. It will take place at the Fort Carson Golf Course on Thursday morning, the 12th of June, with tee times beginning at 0800.
Cost will be $31, including greens fees, cart, range balls and prize fee. The course has rental clubs and shoes if needed. It is important that you let Charley Watkins know as soon as possible that you plan to play – his telephone numbers are:
Home: 719-576-0559
Cell: 970-620-0402
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Some Photos of the Recent Regimental Event in Las Vegas
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opens in a new windowhave signed up for the reunion.opens PDF file
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The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Blackhorse Association will hold its annual Blackhorse Family reunion in Colorado Springs, CO, June 12 -15, 2014. The reunion is open to all past and present troopers who served with the Regiment, the Regimental Community, and all separate units that supported the Regiment.
The reunion will be held at the Hotel Elegante Conference and Event Center, 2886 South Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, 80908. The Elegante is in the process of a major several million dollar renovation. Rooms have been set aside for reunion attendees at a special negotiated rate of $115 per night.
Attendees are encouraged to make plans early. For reservations, please visit opens in a new windowhttps://www.reseze.net/cassets/mkt/mcmelegante/landing_pages/MCM_Colorado_Blackhorse_Association.html or call (800) 981-4012 (reservations). You can phone their Front Desk directly at (719) 576-5900 (be sure to give them our Group ID number – 693108 – and say you are attending the Blackhorse reunion).
For additional lodging options, go to opens in a new window http://www.expedia.com/Colorado-Springs-Hotels.d602991.Travel-Guide-Hotels.
opens in a new windowCLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND A REGISTRATION FORM
