Father Walt Montondon
The funeral for Father Walt Montondon will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at 0900, Wednesday, February 6th.
David R. Tessier
David passed away on January 22, 2013 at the Littleton Adventist Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. David was born on January 18, 1941. David gave twenty-two years of his life to his country in military service, receiving numerous commendations including: the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/3 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze star Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal w/4th Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon(3) and Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon-3. David served with the 11th Armored Cavalry during his tour of Vietnam. After his retirement from the Army, Dave went on to work at Pikes Peak Community College where he earned his Associates Degree in Social Services and Graphic Arts in 1994. He is survived by his beloved wife Sandra of Littleton, Colorado; and his sons Thomas (wife Terry) Tessier of Louisville, Colorado, and Dave (wife Pam) Tessier of Lakewood, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in Littleton.
Dave was instrumental in getting the 11th ACR Tank for the Blackhorse Memorial in Colorado Springs.
Joseph Beck
Joseph "Joe" Roy Beck was born December 14, 1974 to James Beck and Brenda Rivera in El Paso, Texas and passed away January 27, 2013. Joe attended Guthrie High School and entered the U.S. Army in October of 1997. He served as an Armament Repairer and received several marksmanship awards. Joe served with Maintenance Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 11th ACR at Fort Irwin 1997 – 2001.
Joe was passionate about playing the guitar, writing his own music, and writing poetry. He loved to watch movies and he was always pursuing more knowledge. He enjoyed spending time with family and was always the source of entertainment, love, and laughter. Joe is survived by his wife Stefanie; sons Evan and Joseph; daughter Kallista; father and mother; brothers James and Shawn; sister Shiela; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
If you would like to make a contribution to the Memorial Fund for Joseph Beck, please make the check payable to "F&M Bank" or "Stefanie Beck." Please write on the memo part of your check that it is a contribution for Joseph Beck. The bank will notify the family of all contributors. Checks can be mailed to:
F&M Bank
Attention: Janet
121 E Waterloo Rd., Suite 1
Edmond, OK 73034.
James P. Fitzpatrick
James died August 6, 2012, age 73, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jim joined the army after high school, serving in Germany, Alaska then finally as a tank commander with D Company, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry, in Vietnam. After being wounded, he retired from the military. He earned a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and a MFA from Boston University. He taught art in Scituate Schools and later in Waltham High. He remained an active veteran’s advocate throughout his life, and VP for the Mass Vietnam Era Veterans Association during the 1970s. In the 1980s, he was a civilian employee for the U. S. Army in Germany, running the Arts and Recreation Programs for the military and their dependents. He is survived by his wife Ann (Mailhot) Falcone; daughter Deirdre Fitzpatrick of Santa Clarita CA; son Eric Fitzpatrick of London, England; step-son Justin Falcone of New York, NY; and grandchildren Fiona, Christian, and Emma Fitzpatrick. Memorial donations may be made to the John M. Sullivan VFW Post 10334 Scholarship Fund, 623 Trapelo Rd, Waltham, MA 02452.
Winn Noyes
Winn died at his home in Mesa, Arizona, on January 20, 2013 as the result of a gun accident. Winn retired from the U. S. Army in August 2000 after 28 years of service, specializing in Armor and Aviation. Among his assignments were Director, U.S. Army Digital Force Coordination Center, Ft. Hood Texas; Commander, 21st Cavalry Brigade, Ft. Hood Texas; Director, Joint Special Technical Operations Center, Washington D.C.; Senior Brigade Observer/Controller, Hohenfels, Germany; Commander, 4th Squadron 11 Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fulda Germany; and Commander, 4th Squadron 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Bliss Texas. Winn joined Inter-Coastal Electronics in Mesa, AZ in August of 2000 and originally served as the Director, and finally, VP of Business Development until April of 2008. Winn returned to ICE in April of 2011, after a three-year special project in Afghanistan. Winn lead the effort supporting the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTMA) with a 117-man mentor team of retired, senior military officers, developing and implementing the managerial systems required to establish the Afghanistan Ministry of Interior (MoI). Winn personally worked with and advised three Ministers of the Interior and their deputy ministers on a daily basis. Winn coordinated and synchronized efforts with the International Military Staff responsible for support and development of the Afghan National Security Force, and served on the personal staff of the Assistant Commanding General for Police Development. Winn earned a B.S. in Aviation Technology, M.S. in International Relations, and M.S. in International Security; he is a graduate of the U.S. Navy War College. He is survived by his wife Patti, three daughters, and a son.
SFC Jeremy Ray Gonzalez
Jeremy was born in Sterling, Illinois on July 10, 1973 and he is a graduate of Manlius High School in Manlius, Illinois. He entered the Army on April 16, 1993 as an Avenger Crewmember (14S); and upon his completion of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bliss, SFC Gonzalez was assigned to 5/2 ADA in Bamberg, Germany. Following his tour in Germany he was assigned to 1-62 ADB Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 5/5 ADA Camp Stanley, Korea; 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California, and he deployed with the regiment to Iraq; 2-6 ADA Fort Bliss, Texas; and 2-6 ADA Fort Sill, Oklahoma. SFC Gonzalez’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Ribbon. He earned the Drivers Badge and the Combat Action Badge, and he graduated from the Avenger Master Gunner Course; he was also awarded the prestigious St. Barbara’s medal. SFC Gonzalez earned his spurs while stationed at Fort Irwin, and became a proud life-time member of the Blackhorse Association. There he met his wife, Judith, who was also on active duty and shared his passion for the Cavalry. SFC Gonzalez died in his home on July 3, 2012. He was flown from Fort Sill, Oklahoma to Chicago Midway airport. His over-two-mile-long procession was escorted by the Illinois state police and Illinois Patriot Guard. Funeral services were held at Trimble Funeral Home in Moline Illinois. He was finally laid to rest at Rock National Island Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Judith, and two daughters, Jaden (5) and Jessa (4).
Major (retired) Charles Locklin
Charles was born in Monroeville, Alabama on October 25, 1939 and passed away on December 19, 2012 at home peacefully after a quick battle with colon cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Doris Tait Locklin; three children, Charles W. Locklin, III (Chuck), Dinah L. Collert (Jay) and Sarah E. Hodgins; and two beloved grandchildren, Darby DeJarnette and Shaylee Hodgins. Charles served 21 distinguished years in the Army (8 years enlisted and 13 years as a commissioned officer), and he was a highly decorated combat veteran, earning a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with V device for Valor, and two Purple Hearts. In the late 1970s he was the executive officer of 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. After his retirement from the U.S. Army in 1980, Charles worked in the Civil Service as a computer programmer in Columbus, Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama; he retired for the second time in 2004. He completed a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education at the University of Tampa, Florida, and he obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and Information Management from Troy State University, Montgomery, Alabama. Charles was very active in the Lakeview Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, and he remained active in the Vietnam Veterans Association while enjoying attending the yearly 11th Armored Cavalry Reunions. Condolences may be offered at www.alabamaheritagefh.com.
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Along the Border
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library will be presenting an exhibit of German Interzonal Border and Berlin Wall memorabilia (to include uniforms and photographs) entitled "Along the Iron Curtain: Germany’s Cold War Frontier" from January 26 through March 24, 2013. The museum is located in West Branch, Iowa, near Iowa City. For more information call 319 643-5301, or visit the website: opens in a new windowwww.hoover.archives.gov.
Blackhorse Tank in Colorado Restored
In 1994, Costa Rombocos, the owner of the Shrine of Remembrance in Colorado Springs, CO decided to establish a military memorial at his Mausoleum. He wanted an Artillery piece, but General Donn Starry, Dave Tessier, and other 11th Cavalry members worked with him to get a tank instead. They also put up white crosses signifying the campaigns in which the 11th Cavalry fought, bronze plaques dedicating the tank to the 11th Armored Cavalry, and a plaque honoring our three Medal of Honor Recipients. The tank was dedicated to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at a reunion that was conducted in Colorado Springs in 1995. Over the years the tank has been subjected to the weather and the paint was in terrible condition. The tank needed to be repainted and Ken Smith, a Blackhorse Trooper from Vietnam contacted Charley Watkins and asked if The Blackhorse Association would assist the 11th ACVVC to repaint the tank. Both groups agreed to share the cost and Ken Smith found a painter willing to paint the tank for $2,500.00. The tank has been painted and it looks great. The Shrine of Remembrance will build a permanent kiosk over the dedication plaques in the Spring and Ken and Charley will repaint the crosses. There is some damage to some of the vision blocks and light lenses, but a TACOM Representative at Fort Carson is going to try and help get replacements. The tank looks great and, without a doubt, it is a fitting symbol for our Regiment.
Charley Watkins
Charley Watkins and Ken Smith in front of the newly repainted Blackhorse Shrine of Remembrance Tank in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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Reminder – Louisville Reunion
This is a reminder about our annual Reunion. It helps the Association a great deal in planning if attendees can register early and make lodging arrangements. So block your calendars, send in your reservations, and make you lodging arrangements as soon as possible. The reunion hotel is really nice and very reasonably priced for downtown Louisville. This event is central to the continued health of the association and we encourage everyone who can to attend and share the heritage, traditions, and camaraderie that made – and continue to make – the Regiment such an important part of our lives.
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Blackhorse Association will hold its annual Blackhorse Family Reunion in Louisville, KY, May 30 to June 2, 2013. Hosted by the Association’s Gold Vault Chapter, 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 Hyatt Regency Louisville, 311 S. 4th Street, Louisville, KY. The hotel has just completed a $5.8M renovation; and it has great new facilities, a downtown location near the river, and excellent restaurants. Rooms have been set aside for reunion attendees at a special negotiated rate of $115 per night. Parking in downtown Louisville can be difficult and expensive, but we have negotiated a $10 per day rate in a city parking garage adjacent to the hotel. Attendees are encouraged to make plans early. For electronic reservations at the Hyatt Regency Louisville, go to the special website they have set up for us at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/blackhorseassociationreunion or phone 800-233-1234 (be sure to tell them you are attending the Blackhorse reunion). For additional lodging options, go to www.expedia.com/Louisville-Hotels. Tentative reunion agenda:
Thursday, May 30: Registration/Hospitality Room/Silent Auction (8am – 5pm)
Golf Tournament (afternoon)
Blackhorse Store Open
Sightseeing on your own
Evening activities on your own
Friday, May 31: Registration/Hospitality Room/Silent Auction (8am – 5pm)
Blackhorse Store Open
BHRCM Rally
Visit to the Regiment’s Monument near Fort Knox/Memorial Service
Sightseeing on your own
Stable Your Mount – casual evening social (6pm – 9pm)
Saturday, June 1: Registration/Hospitality Room/Silent Auction (8am – 3pm)
Blackhorse Store Open
Business meeting (9am – 11am); Memorial service (11am – 12 noon)
Sightseeing on your own
Cocktails/banquet (6pm – 10pm)
Sunday, June 2: Church services (est-9am)
Farewells
Registration fee is $95 for adults and $30 for children 12 and under who do not attend the banquet. This fee covers reunion mementos, hors d’oeuvres at the Friday evening Stable Your Mount social, the Saturday banquet with wine, and other reunion costs. Please complete the attached registration form and make checks payable to "Thomas Smart (Blackhorse Reunion)". Attendee transportation, including airfare, rental car, and lodging must be organized separately. For more information, see www.blackhorse.com and www.blackhorse.org; or contact one of the following Reunion Committee members: Tom Smart at (703) 973-3703, tom.smart@nullacrpros.com; Glenn Snodgrass at (703) 250-3064, jgs525@nullverizon.net; or Wes Walters at (571) 276-9471, wes.walters@nullsaabgroup.com.
opens in a new windowCLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND REGISTRATION
