Clair P. "Sarge" Yeager, 84, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, died April 10, 2013, at Meadow View Nursing Center, Berlin, Kentucky. He was born March 5, 1929, in South Fork, Kentucky. Clair was a graduate of Adams High School. He retired from the Army as Sergeant First Class, served in the Korean War, earned a Purple Heart in the Vietnam War, and served on active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He served in 1st Platoon (hardcore platoon), E Troop, 11th ACR in 1968-1969. Among his decorations were the Army Commendation Medal, four Bronze Stars, and several unit citations. He was a member of American Legion Post 138, Olive Hill, Kentucky and VFW Post 3705, Grayson, Kentucky.The Passing of a Great Friend of the Regiment: Hartmut H. Boehmer, Buergermeister of Bad Hersfeld, 1978-1994
_________________________________________________________
A Notable Ride
Dale Leemann, of 2/11 and 3/11, 1970, drove this bike from Jonesboro, Missouri, to attend the Blackhorse gathering at the Vietnam Wall on Memorial Day. Well done, Don, both the ride and the Bike!
The following website, titled The 11th Cavalry 1901 to 1923, is full of pictures, unit rosters, and detailed descriptions of individual cavalry troop activities during the early years of the Regiment. Well worth a visit.
The link below will take you to a history of the 11th Cavalry Group in World War II. It covers operations from Roer to the Elbe. It was written in 1945, shortly after the war ended in Europe. While the title covers the war years, the history actually contains great introductory material about the regiment before the war and its transition to the 11th Cavalry Group prior to its commitment in Europe. It was recently digitized by the Combat Studies Institute at Fort Leavenworth.
For those of you who sometimes worry about the youth of America, this short YouTube video should be a welcome message. This is a tribute to our Vietnam veterans from students at The College of the Ozarks (with thanks to Doc Bahnsen and John Sherman Crow for forwarding this to us).
The link below is to a new story about the making of a music video by a relatively new band, The Secret State. At least two of the members are veterans who wanted to make a video honoring the sacrifice of our soldiers. The video features soldiers from the 11th ACR at Fort Irwin and some great shots of the training environment they create for the Army. You have to get through the commercial at the front of the video, but it is worth the wait. Also worth reading is the article about the band and its support for our military.
This is the schedule of events for the 75th Anniversary of WTA.
Official schedule of events:
Friday, July 26, 2013
1900 hrs, Dedication of commemorative plaque to remember the stationing of the US-Army in Wildflecken. Location: Rathaus-Platz, downtown Wildflecken
Saturday, July 27, 2013
0600 hrs: Start of Volksmarch across the WTA (see below for details), Airstrip area, Camp Wildflecken
1000 hrs: Official start of the 2-day-festivity with "Bieranstich" in the gym.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
0600 hrs: Start of Volksmarch across the WTA (see below for details), Airstrip area, Camp Wildflecken
1000 hrs: Ecumenical church service at the stage in front of the gym.
During both days:
- Music – various bands will perform throughout the day and night (Sunday until around 1700 hrs.)
- Open House
- Civilian and military displays in many locations throughout Camp Wildflecken to include an air-drop of paratroopers and historic US-Army reenactors.
- There will be various booths where food and drinks are sold throughout the area.
Parking is available at several areas at Camp Wildflecken as well as in downtown Wildflecken. Shuttle service from Rathausplatz and location of former Main-Gate
Wandertage:
- July 27 & 28, 2013, start at Rhön-Kaserne (military post of Wildflecken), 0600 thru 1200 hrs.
- Dear hikers: The German Army Command at the Wildflecken-Training-Area (WTA) welcomes you to the 40th Wandertage across the WTA. We also are celebrating 75 years of WTA at the Rhön-Kaserne, with food, drink, music and displays of many military and civilian organizations.
- Start fee is €2.50 per person; if you would like a medal it’s €7.50 (incl. start-fee).
- 3 routes: 10 km, 15 km, and 22.5 km.
- Along the route there are several rest areas, where food and beverages are being sold. Also several points of interest, like scenic views and historic points have been included in the routes.
- During the past 75 years of military usage a unique habitat of rare animals and plants developed inside WTA; this habitat is much different from the wildlife outside.
- Please enjoy this beautiful area during those two days and have a wonderful time at WTA.
- Also, for safety reasons, please don’t leave the marked trails. If you discover any ammunition or parts of it along the way, please don’t touch it and inform range control immediately.
- Please note, because of the dry weather in July, there is a non-smoking policy in place all over the training area. But it is possible to smoke in marked areas at the rest areas.
On behalf of the Mayor of the City of Wildflecken Alfred Schrenk and acting Commander of the Wildflecken Training Area Lieutenant Colonel Neubert.
___________________________________________________
An Important Message for Veterans from AUSA
