Blackhorse E-News – March 2011

IMPORTANT REUNION INFORMATION

Troopers,

I received an email from a member concerned with our announced room prices for the 2011 Blackhorse Family Reunion this June in Las Vegas. When making reservations the hotel will offer a package of added guest services for an additional $20 nightly. This offering is OPTIONAL. The only charges not shown on our announced room price list is the prevailing state tax.

Additionally, Treasure Island Resort and Casino self parking is at no cost. Valet parking is available for a fee.

We are excited to announce the banquet keynote speaker will be our own Sergeant Major of the Army, Kenneth Preston. (See the write-up about SMA Preston’s retirement below.)

Hope to see you in Las Vegas during June 1 to June 5.

Allons!
John Sherman
President, Blackhorse Association

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FORMER AIR CAV TROOP OFFICER RECOGNIGED BY AAAA

Our own Jim Kelton has been selected to receive the 2010 Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) "Joseph P. Cribbins DAC of the Year Award".

Jim served the Regiment in the 1980’s as a border pilot in Air Cavalry Troop operating out of Fulda.

Congratulations Jim! Well done!

Here are details on Jim’s award:

James W. "Jim" Kelton, Assistant Product Manager for the Tactical Airspace Integration System, Program Executive Office Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, AL has been named the 2010 recipient of the Joseph P. Cribbins Department of the Army Civilian of the Year Award by the Army Aviation Association of America.

The Joseph P. Cribbins DAC of the Year Award is presented annually to a DAC who made an outstanding individual contribution to Army aviation during the previous calendar year. The Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), GEN James D. Thurman, will present the award to Kelton on April 18th in Nashville, TN at the Annual AAAA Convention.

The Joseph P. Cribbins DAC of the Year Award was first presented in 1976 to namesake Joseph P. Cribbins, then Special Assistant for Aviation Logistics, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Washington, D.C.

Jim served in aviation positions in Support Troop (Air), 11th ACR Downs Barracks / Sickles Army Airfield in Fulda under the command of MAJ Ron Trussell, and then as Aeroscout Platoon Leader and Operations Officer in the re-designated Combat Aviation Troop (CAT) under MAJ Dell Dailey from 1980-1983. This was during the command tenures of COL John Sherman Crow, 49th Colonel of the Regiment, and COL Freddy Franks, 50th Colonel of the Regiment.

Of coincidental note, GEN Thurman, who will present the award, and Kelton both served as captains together in the Blackhorse’s aviation squadron.

Make a donation to the Blackhorse Association and become eligible to win your choice of a 1901 Campaign Hat, Saber or Spurs. opens in a new windowClick here for more information.opens PDF file

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BLACKHORSE STORE ON FACEBOOK

The Blackhorse Store is now on opens in a new windowFacebook.

opens in a new windowCheck out the new items that are available from the Store, as well as the continuing selection of campaign hats, cords, spurs, 11th ACR artist prints and many other memorabilia items.

You can order The Blackhorse Store items directly from the site.And after you receive them you can return to the site and write a comment about them–their quality, your satisfaction (or not).

The Store Facebook Page also features photos of both veteran and active duty troopers. If you have photos yourself during your service in the Regiment or at past reunions send them in PDF format via e-mail addressed to opens in a new windowbarb@nullfinishlineawards.com.create new email

The items and photos will change frequently so visit often.

We suggest you put the Store’s Facebook address ( opens in a new windowhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Blackhorse-Store/169028059808023) on your browser’s Favorite or Bookmark lists or, when visiting the site, you might want to drag the address from the page’s address bar to your desktop for even easier access

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SMA PRESTON SLATED TO RETIRE

On 1 March 2011, Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Kenneth O. Preston will retire after nearly 36 years of service to the nation, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Cavalry. SMA Preston has literally been an icon for our Army, the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Corps, and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR). An extremely competent and dedicated NCO, leader, soldier – and always a cavalryman – Ken Preston has done more, for a longer time (over seven successive years at time of retirement), to restore dignity, trust and honor to the SMA (and Command Sergeant Major) position than anyone we can imagine. He has also mentored, trained, advised and been a resource to thousands of officers over his long NCO career.

We, the veterans of the 11th ACR, the "Blackhorse Regiment", are proud and privileged to call SMA Preston one of our own. Many of us recall him as the Border Operations NCO-in-charge at Fulda, Germany, during the Cold War, and as a First Sergeant in both Germany and Kuwait during the period of DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM. Later, he always found time to return to his beloved Regiment to inspire the youngest generations of troopers in the 11th ACR, and to visit those of us who had already left active duty during reunions in both the US and Europe.

Ken will be sorely missed but leaves behind a tremendous legacy. The saving grace for the Army upon Ken’s retirement is that there are surely about 500,000 young "Prestonites" coming up through the ranks to carry our Army for the next generations. What an impact, what a legacy!

BLACKHORSE, Forever! ALLONS!

Your proud brothers and sisters of the Blackhorse Association

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REUNION INFORMATION

The 2011 Blackhorse Family Reunion will be held from Wednesday, June 1st, through Sunday, June 5th, 2011, at Treasure Island Resort and Casino centrally located along the "strip" in Las Vegas. Treasure Island is almost next door to one of Las Vegas’ largest shopping malls.

Our point man in Las Vegas is Gus Flangas, a former Cobra pilot in Air Cavalry Troop and now head of a successful law practice in Las Vegas. Gus will have staff personnel from his law firm available to assist attendees in scheduling sightseeing in the area and reservations for the many wonderful plays and shows available along the strip.

Reunion planning is progressing and we have completed our hotel contract with Treasure Island. You should begin now to reserve your room at the special reunion rate. Reservations may be made by calling (800) 944-7444 or (888) 503-8999 Monday through Sunday 6am to 10pm Pacific Time. Our Group or Block Code is: THEBLAC. Be sure to identify yourself as being with The Blackhorse Association Reunion and use our Block Code in order to take advantage of reduced room rates.

In addition to making your room reservations, you’ll need to mail us your completed opens in a new windowregistration formopens PDF file along with your payment.

opens in a new windowClick here to download a registration formopens PDF file .
Instructions are included in the form.