Charles Herbert Ockrassa. Charles (Chuck) Herbert Ockrassa, age 69, of Cedar Park, Texas passed away unexpectedly on March 8, 2023, surrounded by members of his church family. Chuck was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 6, 1954 to Paul and Marguerite (Woodruff) Ockrassa. He was baptized on March 14, 1954 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Maplewood, Missouri, and thus began his life of service to the Lord. He grew up with his four siblings and numerous cousins as active members of the Webster Gardens Lutheran Church. He lived a life full steam ahead, often with stitches and Band-Aids. He was a passionate history nerd, track athlete, and active member of the choir.

After Chuck graduated Lutheran High School South in 1972, he went on to study at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976 and was commissioned as an Armor Lieutenant in the US Army. During his 21-year career as an Army officer, Chuck consistently demonstrated his professionalism, dedication, and keen intellect in some of the most challenging assignments. He was an armor company commander in Germany during the Cold War, ready to defend US allies from invasion at a moment’s notice. From 1984 to 1990, he served as an instructor of cavalry tactics at the US Army Armor School, an author of several Army Field Manuals and Mission Training Plans, and as the representative for the Armor School for the development of the US Army’s Airland Battle Strategy.

Chuck served over seven years in Germany, including as the commander of 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, where he ensured its safe drawdown and deactivation. Chuck also deployed to Zakhu, Northern Iraq in support of Operation Provide Comfort in 1993, supporting the multinational operations to keep the peace in the region while supporting the Kurdish relief effort. Chuck culminated his military career as the Chief of Tactics for the US Army Engineer School and retired from the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. Following his retirement, Chuck began a second career with Advancia Corporation where he continued to provide his expertise, knowledge, and innate understanding of military operations through the development Regulations and Doctrine for the US Military. Additionally, he continued to teach, both formally and informally, and to share his knowledge with the military community. He retired from Advancia in 2017, after 20 years as an expert, senior systems analyst and writer.

Chuck’s life was one of service: to God, to country, and to others. He was an active volunteer with the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN), Kairos Prison Ministry, REVEAL Ministries, Hill Country Community Ministries (HCCM), Follow the Star, and the Austin Food Bank. He was also an active member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cedar Park, TX, devoting time to many organizations, including the “Happy Old Guys Serving” (HOGS).

Chuck is survived by his four siblings: Don (Cherol), Dorothy (Dave), Joyce, and Edward (Nancy); his three children: Jason, Theresa (Ward), and Eric (Chrissy); and his two grandchildren: Logan and Felix. Services were held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Leander, Texas on March 17 at 11 a.m. CT and was shared online at https://www.youtube.com/c/GoodShepherdCedarPark.

The family requests donations be made to the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) at https://adrn.org/about/give/, the Austin Food Bank at https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/get-involved/donate, or the Good Shepherd HOGS at https://gstx.org/give/. These are three service organizations about which Chuck felt strongly, and he regularly volunteered with them.

Blackhorse Family Reunion – 2023

When: May 31 ‒ June 4, 2023

Where: Marriott — Columbus, Georgia

Why: 11th ACR Memorial and current state of Cavalry training

Who: All past and present troopers who served with the Regiment, including anyone who served in the Regimental Community or any of the separate units that supported the Regiment; their families; and friends of the association.

How: opens in a new windowBlackhorse Association 2023 Reunion hotel reservations.

Our room block is 5/29/2023 through 6/5/2023 with a room rate of $180.18 per night
(including taxes and breakfast). Parking is free.

Reservations must be made by May 3, 2023. Feel free to opens in a new windowtake a closer look at our hotel: the Marriott Hotel. You can use the above link to make hotel reservations, or please contact them at 706-324-1800. We have a block of rooms set aside for the reunion; included with your room is access to a pool, the gym, and Houlihan’s restaurant. The hotel is located 100 miles (1.5 hours) from the Atlanta Airport.

Registration:
The registration fee for the weekend (Friday and Saturday) is $170 per person. This will include Friday night Social, Saturday night Social, and miscellaneous fees. Optional fees will include the reunion coin and tours. You can register online or through mail-in registration using the link on the reunion website, which can be accessed at the below link. Updates on the reunion can be found at our website as well as our Facebook event page (Blackhorse Association 2023 Family Reunion).

Register online at opens in a new windowhttps://www.blackhorse.org/reunions/.

Registration cut-off is May 3, 2023. Because many people have specific room
requirements, please book as soon as possible.

For those, unable to attend both days, you may choose Friday or Saturday under Option B.

Call for Donations:

As we approach our 2023 Reunion in Columbus, the Blackhorse Association is requesting donations for the Silent Auction. Proceeds from the Silent Auction assist in funding our annual scholarships. We had a great response last year and exceeded our expectations, and we have set our goal to exceed last year in both participation and funds raised for the scholarship. To that end, we ask that you to set aside items for donation and ensure they travel with you.

Golf Outing Information:

SP time is 8 a.m. on June 1 from hotel; tee time is 9 a.m. We’re still working on the lunch details at the course. We look forward to playing golf the way Ernie would want us. opens in a new windowConsider Shipsticks to get your clubs to Marriott and back (or rent clubs at the course). Cost is $60, and we are playing at the Fort Benning Golf Course.

For more information, see opens in a new windowwww.blackhorse.org/reunions or contact Scott Harrison at 813-944-8808 or opens in a new windowsharrson@nullgmail.comcreate new email. Keep up to date on Facebook
at opens in a new window https://www.facebook.com/events/487101023357275.

Friday Trip:

FORT BENNING AND NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM

The Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning is one of the busiest Army installations in the world, training more than 16,700 military trainees each week. The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center opened in 2009 with one guiding mission: to honor the legacy and valor of the U.S. Army Infantryman. Telling the story of our nation’s past with the latest in technological innovation. Customizable tour packages available for students of all ages, service members, church groups, scouts, military reunions and more.

9 a.m. ‒ board bus; 4 p.m. ‒ back at hotel

$40/person includes bus transportation. Lunch will be at the DFAC.

2023 Reunion for BHA Air Cav Troop Chapter

When: June 14-18, 2023

Where: Hyatt Place, 1818 S. Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108

Hotel Reservations: Please contact Mr. Devan Tanner, Director of Sales, 405-682- 3900. Tell him you are a member of the 11th ACR Reunion. Room Rates: Two Full- Sized Beds or a King-Sized Bed are $94 plus tax. Cancellation deadline May 21, 2023. Last date to get the above room rates is May 21, 2023.

A Proud Blackhorse Display

Blackhorse veteran Bill Hutton had a display at the February 25-26 “The Breakout – France 1944” WWII Living History Event at the Military Museum of North Florida; the event was organized by WWII Armor ( opens in a new windowhttps://www.facebook.com/ww2armor) and the First Florida Chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association ( opens in a new windowwww.FFCMVPA.org).

This was the 21st Winter Rally, held at Green Cove Springs, Florida. The Blackhorse was represented by this display of Border 11, on an M151A2 1⁄4 ton Jeep. The display included all of the typical items found on a patrol during the 1982-83 timeframe. Bill’s display won first place. Thanks also go to Jim (Doc) McEvers, Tom Quinn, Jerry Weiland, and Harry Owens for their support with display items.

Well Done Bill!