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Blackhorse E-News – May, 2012

TROOPER DOWN:

OldWe are saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Keltner who deployed with the Regiment to Vietnam in September 1966. Neil commanded 1st Platoon, Troop C, 1st Squadron in Vietnam and was one of our most highly decorated soldiers. He was the first member of the Blackhorse in Vietnam to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, our Nation’s second highest award for Valor. Neil was a staunch Texas A&M Aggie, class of 1965.
A memorial service will be held on May 10, 2012 at 1 PM at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
One of our members, Steve Spriggs from American Legion Post 291 where Neil was also a member is organizing participation from Post 291 and from the Regiment. Colonel Tony Aguto, 64th Colonel reports that CPT Drew Rossow, Cdr. Troop C, an Aggie, and LT Andrew Roland, Plt. Ldr., 1st Platoon, Troop C will represent the Regiment.
Rest easy brother.
Please read the very moving tribute provided by Gil Ferrey who served with Neil in combat:

I am saddened to report that one of our finest officers, Neil Keltner, First Platoon leader in Charlie Troop, who deployed with the 11th ACR in September 1966 by boat to Vietnam, has passed away.

Neil, who was born in Michigan, worked in the automotive industry for a couple of years after high school and then decided to go on to college, entering Texans A&M, and graduating in 1965. He was honored nationally as the No. 1 ROTC graduate of that year.

Joining the 11th ARC following his completion of the Armored Officer Basic Course at Ft. Knox, KY, Neil received orders to Ft. Meade, MD to join the 11th ACR and was selected to command the First Platoon of Charlie Troop, then commanded by Capt. Bob Garrott. After arriving in Vietnam by ship, Neil’s platoon worked with other units and then was tasked to provide security for a convoy traveling along Route 1 between Long Binh and the Regiment’s new basecamp which became known as "Blackhorse." The convoy included ACAV’s from First Platoon, Second Platoon and one from B Troop as well. It ran head on into an ambush prepared by the VC’s 274th Regiment (Dong Nai) at Ap Hung Nghia on November 21, 1966. Neil lead the convoy through the "kill zone", becoming wounded in the process, and then returned to fight off the enemy and to provide security for "Dustoff" medevac helicopters to evacuate the wounded. For this action Neil became the first member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment to receive the Distinguished Service Cross.

He was later wounded a second time at almost point blank range by a Viet Cong who suddenly rose up out of the grass while the First Squadron was operating on Operation Port Sea with the Australians. Although the enemy round passed through his lung and liver, Neil survived to return home. Capt. Larry Gunderman commanded Charlie Troop by this time.

He separated from the Army after returning stateside and attended Harvard Business School. He then worked in the oil and barge industry before moving to California where his wife Vicki and daughter Brice helped him operate a business that sold hardware to utility companies.

Always a humble and patriotic citizen, Neil would not want any flowers or expensive efforts made by friends to attend his memorial service, which will be held on May 10th at 1 PM at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, St. Andrew’s Road, Newport Beach, CA 92663. Vicki would prefer that those who knew Neil would write a personal letter to their daughter, Brice, telling her about their personal thoughts regarding her Dad. Her address is: Brice Keltner, 1432 Lexington Street, Tustin, CA 92782. A reception will follow the memorial service.

Neil will be cremated and his urn interned at Arliington National Cemetary at a pre-determined date, approximately a year from this date, and Texas A&M will also have a memorial service at some time in the future.

We will all miss Neil, a true silent and humble warrior, who almost gave all he had on two occasions, only to finally succum to cancer on April 24th, 2012

May we and his family members who knew Neil all feel better for having done so.

Gil Ferrey
9G 1/11th ACR

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TROOPER DOWN:

We learned on 2 May of the passing of another of our outstanding soldiers and brother, Martin Sack, Jr. Marty died at Jacksonville, Florida on April 29, 2012. Services were held Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Congregation Abavath Chesed in Jacksonville, with Rabbi Joshua B. Lief officiating.
Rest easy brother.
Please read the wonderful tribute to Marty provided by Daniel Stroia, Funeral Honor Guard, 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia:

SACK Martin Sack, JR. (Marty) died at Jacksonville, Florida on April 29, 2012. He was born in Jacksonville on March 26, 1931, the son of the late Judge Martin and Sabina Heller Sack. He graduated from Fishweir Elementary School, John Gorrie Jr. High School (where he was editor of The Siren ), Robert E. Lee Sr. High School ( 49), Duke University ( 53) (where he was president of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and Sr. Manager of the 1952 Blue Devil Southern Conference Champion football team), and The University of Florida College of Law ( 56). After 2 years of military service with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany, he returned to Jacksonville where he practiced law for over 50 years, first with his father, then as a sole practitioner. He was a lifetime member of Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), and was a member, Paul Harris Fellow, and past president of The Rotary Club of West Jacksonville, and was a past president of the Jacksonville Legal Aid Association. He is survived by his wife, Carol, whom he married in 1956; his sons Kevin (Dina) and Andrew; brother Michael; former sister-in-law Jeannie; grandchildren Laura Sack, Alan Srochi, and Sara Srochi; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Stanley and Sharon Kantor; nieces Celia Sack, April Sack, and Peri Kantor; and a number of cousins. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 10:30 AM in Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) with Rabbi Joshua B Lief officiating Contributions may be made to the charity of the donor s choice. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 4115 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207. PH: (904) 346-3808. www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

11th Cavalry Veteran Troopers of Vietnam & Cambodia from 1966 to 1972

Funeral Honor Guard

Daniel Stroia

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DEDICATION OF STARRY HALL – Fort Eustis, Virginia

Commanding General TRADOC, General Robert Cone will preside over the memorial dedication of Starry Hall in memory of General Donn A. Starry, 41st Colonel and former TRADOC Commander. The dedication will be held on Fort Eustis at 1500 hours, 8 June 2012 in concert with The Blackhorse Family Reunion being held in Williamsburg during the period 7 June to 10 June 2012. All Blackhorse soldiers and family are invited. Directions will be available at the reunion registration desk.

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2012 – 2013 ASSOCIATION OFFICER AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

The nominating committee, headed by Tom Smart, forwards the following
nominations for your consideration.
Nominations from the membership are encouraged and welcomed.
The slate, with all nominees, will be presented to the general membership on June 9, 2012 at the Williamsburg Blackhorse Family Reunion for selection.
Nominees:
President – Glenn Snodgrass
Vice President – Jim Tankovich
Secretary – Charley Watkins
Treasurer – M. Crystal Kruger
Dir. of Memberships – Gene Johnson
Dir. of Fundraising – Don Wicks
Dir. of Communications – Clint Ancker
Dir. of Scholarships – Bob Hurt
Dir. at Large – Glenn Allardyce

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3rd Annual Blackhorse Regiment Cavalry Motorcycles Rally Announced

1000, 8 June, 2012
Start point – Williamsburg Hospitality House
(as part of the Blackhorse Association Reunion),
Williamsburg, Virginia

4-5 hour ride through historic surroundings

Call John Baer for details (757-753-2588)

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2012 BLACKHORSE REUNION

Our annual family reunion is taking shape. Come prepared to enjoy the many tourist spots in and near Williamsburg – the colonial town itself, Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens, and the Williamsburg Winery – we will assist you in finding all those places. Please go to opens in a new windowwww.blackhorse.com or opens in a new windowwww.blackhorse.org for info describing all our events and our registration form and register as soon as possible.

We recommend that you reserve your room at the Williamsburg Hospitality House as soon as possible – call them directly at 800-932-9192 (tell them you are with "the Blackhorse reunion") or go online at opens in a new windowwww.williamsburghosphouse.com (use lodging code 20060702553) to get the negotiated rate of $119 per night and ensure that you count in our totals.

ALLONS!We will have a great golf tournament at the Green Course of the famous Golden Horseshoe Golf Club. Our banquet keynote speaker will be GEN Bob Cone, Blackhorse alum and current TRADOC commander. COL Tony Aguto, the regiment’s 64th commander will be there to give his annual report, and, along with the brand new RCSM Travers, will also induct nine great Blackhorse veterans into the Blackhorse Honor Rolls. You will have the opportunity to attend a ceremony at Fort Eustis to dedicate a new TRADOC building in honor of General Donn Starry. Phil Keith, author of "Blackhorse Riders" will make a presentation and conduct a book-signing. The Blackhorse Store will be there each day selling their wonderful memorabilila and clothing. All that and lots more – with plenty of time to spend with old Blackhorse friends and to get to know new ones.

If any questions, please don’t hesitate to call Glenn Snodgrass at 703-250-3064 or 703-407-4038.

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ADDRESS CHANGE FOR THE BLACKHORSE ASSOCIATION, INC

Effective 1 January 2012 our official mailing address is:

The Blackhorse Association, Inc.

P.O. Box 223

Hemphill, Texas 75948-0223

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