BLACKHORSE NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE
ELECTRONICALLY VIA E-NEWS
The Blackhorse Newsletter, published and mailed twice annually is now available through our Blackhorse E-News medium. Significant cost savings will accrue by reducing printing and mailing costs. Currently, our greatest operating expense is in the area of printing and mailing the newsletter.
Please take this opportunity to elect to receive your Blackhorse Newsletter electronically by going to our website at opens in a new windowwww.blackhorse.org and clicking the "Blackhorse Newsletter & E-News" link. Scroll down to the area where it asks for your name and email address. Hit "Send Request" and we will take care of insuring you receive your newsletter while accurately maintaining your physical address in the database.
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ANNUAL FUNDRAISER MAIL-OUTS
The annual fundraiser mail-outs should be in your mailboxes within the next days. You are asked to support the association at a level comfortable for you. Our goal is to attract 10% of our members to support this effort – Support at the $100 level and be a part of the 1901 Club.
We draw five tickets at our Blackhorse Family Reunion each year and the winners may elect to receive a 1901 Cavalry Hat, Cavalry Saber or Spurs. You need not be present to win. We draw the winners at the Stable Your Mount event.
For credit card donations, write your total donation amount to the right of your signature.
An addressed envelope is included in your mail-out package. Please support your Blackhorse Association. Your volunteer officers and directors serve without remuneration so that all donations go to our five principal missions.
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In Memory of
Lois A. Hurt
July 29, 1941 to July 9, 2011
Lois was the wife of Col. (retired) Bob Hurt. She was a major contributor not only to her community but to the Blackhorse Association. Our scholarship program has been significantly improved over the past few years due to her hard work and insights as a member of the committee. Lois was selected as "A Woman of Distinction" in her local community because of her many selfless contributions to multiple causes and charitable organizations. She was also the first woman to receive the "Honorable Order of St. Joan of Arc" award from the Armor Association for her dedicated service to soldiers and their families.
The Montgomery County Women’s Center (Conroe, TX) which supports the local community has been planning a new annex at the shelter to house families with older children. Lois was a big advocate of the Women’s Center and supported their many programs. We are coming to you to ask for your financial support to erect the Lois Hurt Annex at the shelter for battered women and children. We ask you consider this wonderful tribute to Lois and support our effort. Those contributions of $1000 or more will be recognized on a "Donor Wall" in the building. This will be a lasting tribute which will offer shelter to women and children for many years to come. Lois would have been so proud to know that she was the inspiration for providing this safe shelter.
The Center is a private nonprofit 501-c-3 serving victims of family violence and sexual abuse in the community. Unfortunately, because of the overwhelming need for emergency shelter the current facility stays at or above capacity most of the time.
We hope you will join us as a partner in this project, a gift like this is much more than a charitable donation it is an investment in a safe future for those in need. Please send your donations to:
Montgomery County Women’s Center
1600 Lake Front Drive, Suite 100
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(please note that your donation is for the Lois Hurt fund)
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McGINNIS – WICKAM HALL DEDICATION
Dedication of McGinnis-Wickam Hall was held 23 September 2011 at Fort Benning, Georgia.
The ceremony, lead by MG Robert B. Brown, CG, Maneuver Center of Excellence, was a very moving memorial tribute to two Medal of Honor winners—–Specialist Ross A. McGinnis, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, killed 4 December 2006 in Iraq and CPL Jerry W. Wickam, Troop F, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse), killed 6 January 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Both heroes were awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
CPL Jerry Wayne Wickam is one of three Blackhorse troopers awarded the Medal of Honor.
Attending the ceremony were Suzanne C. Wickam (widow of CPL Wickam), Mike Wickam,
(son of CPL Wickam), Blake Wickam (grandson), Savanah Wickam (granddaughter), Danny Wickam (brother of CPL Wickam), Mark Wickam (brother of CPL Wickam), Doug Asher (cousin) and Albina Asher (wife of Doug Asher). Grandson Blake Wickam cut the ribbon officially opening McGinnis-Wickam Hall.
MG (RET) Larry Gunderman and CSM (RET) George Desario represented the Blackhorse Association at the Ft. Benning ceremony.
(left to right) CSM Ricky Young (CSM, US Army Armor School), Mike Wickam, Blake Wickam, Savanah Wickam, COL(P) Tom James (Commandant, US Armor School), and Suzanne Wickam.
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Arlington National Cemetery Services for John B. Whitehead III
Services for John Whitehead have been announced for the Catholic Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery for 1 December 2011 at 12:30 PM.
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DON SNEDEKER NEEDS YOUR HELP!
The following message from Don:
Blackhorse!
Don Snedeker here. In the midst of conducting research for the history of the Regiment’s service in Vietnam and Cambodia, I have been in contact with the son of SFC Bob Sickles, India Troop, Third Squadron, who died at Blackhorse Base Camp on 4 April 1967. He wants to hear more about his Father. He was unaware that the airfield in Fulda was named for his Father.
I am interesting in talking with anyone who can shed some light on the circumstances around the airfield in Fulda being named after Bob Sickles.
Could you get the word out to the membership about this request, please?
Allons!
Don Snedeker
Historian, 11th ACVVC
Blackhorse4@nullverizon.net
(703) 533-1905
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GUS FLANGAS TEAMS WITH CRISS ANGEL IN FUNDRAISER FOR WILDHORSE
Gus Flangas conducts the Greek Food Festival Torch Relay in concert with the Greek Food Festival held at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church each year in Las Vegas. Gus, a former Blackhorse Cobra SIP and now attorney, teamed this year with Criss Angel, Magician of the Century, headlining at the Luxor to attract a record number of participants . Criss ran two miles of the relay and also kicked off donations with a very generous donation. Thanks Gus and Criss.
Torch Relay funds are passed to our Wildhorse Squadron to assist soldiers wounded during their last deployment to Afghanistan and to other NVNG soldiers in need of assistance.
Well done Gus Flangas and Criss Angel. Wildhorse! and Blackhorse!
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IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION:
2009 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: Remember, you need only submit from your Registar/Scholarship department a confirmation of your enrollment as a full time student for the Fall Semester 2011. The confirmation should be emailed to CSM (Ret) Ernie Ford at opens in a new windowFordEE@nullalyeska-pipeline.comcreate new email or send it via regular mail to: CSM (Retired) Ernie Ford P.O. Box 56122 North Pole Alaska 99705-1122. As you will recall, your continuing scholarships are guaranteed so long as you have been classified as a full time student. Best wishes from all the Blackhorse Family for a successful school year! 2011 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: Recipients should present their award letter to their Registar/Scholarship department. This letter clearly states the institution must present to CSM (Retired) Ernie Ford confirmation of enrollment as a full time student to the address indicated in the announcement letter. Once the institution confirms enrollment and provides an active mailing address for scholarship payment, the payment will be made immediately. Further, it is imperative that recipients maintain a functional email address with CSM (Retired) Ernie Ford at opens in a new windowFordEE@nullalyeska-pipeline.comcreate new email. We are ready to do our part in providing your scholarship funds, you have the responsibility to read and follow instructions to insure the process is completed. Best wishes for a successful and rewarding year from the Blackhorse Family.
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2012 WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA REUNION
Glenn Snodgrass and his great crew have planned an interesting reunion during the period June 7 – 10, 2012. Please register early so the planners can insure our meetings and banquet halls are of adequate size to accommodate the various events. Our attendance numbers are growing each year and we need good estimates of attendance in order to insure we do not over commit for the various event venues. It is also recommended that you reserve your hotel room early. The hotel has a very satisfactory cancellation policy. More detailed reunion information is posted at opens in a new windowwww.blackhorse.com. Notice—- that is ".com". The same information may be found on our website at the Programs/Reunion Link at opens in a new windowwww.blackhorse.org.