Blackhorse Family Reunion 2024!

The Academy Hotel
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Mark your calendars for July 25–28, 2024 for next year’s reunion. We have the details for the hotel and reunion activities to pass along to you. Registration fees are $100 per person. This will include the Friday night social, Saturday night social, and AV fees. Optional fees include the reunion coin and tours.

We expect the registration cut-off date to be June 25, 2024. However, as the reunion site has limited seating for the banquet, registration will be first-come, first-served with the possibility that registration will close earlier than June 2024. Please book as soon as possible.

Information about online and mail-in registration is provided on the Blackhorse Association website and our Facebook event page (Blackhorse Association 2024 Family Reunion).

opens in a new windowThe Reunion registration webpage is now live, so please register at this location: https://www.blackhorse.org/reunions/.

Hotel Information:
The Academy Hotel
8110 N. Academy Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Hotel reservation phone number: 719-598-5770
opens in a new windowWebsite: http://www.theacademyhotel.com

We have negotiated a great rate with breakfast of $135 per night for July 22–28,
2024. The hotel has 195 rooms, a bar, a pool, a gym, a restaurant, and sufficient space for our meetings, events, and socials.

The hotel is located 80 miles from Denver International Airport or 20 miles from Colorado Springs Airport, and it can be reached by shuttle or taxi. The hotel is also located 6 miles from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Although we would like everyone to stay at the hotel, we understand that lodging is often the largest cost of attending the reunion. Alternatives include Motel 6, Best Western, and Baymont by Wyndham. opens in a new windowYou can review these alternatives on Hotels.com at https://www.hotels.com/de1429245/hotels-colorado-springs-colorado/.

Our main event will be a visit to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Details for this event will be provided on the reunion website.

opens in a new windowShuttle services: https://www.shuttlefinder.com/den/l/the-academy-hotel-colorado-springs.

A Blackhorse Gathering in Arkansas

Over 100 Blackhorse Veterans and spouses attended Pigapalooza 2023 in Springdale Arkansas September 29–30. Attendees were treated to authentic German Thuringer Wursts and Bitburger Bier on Friday, with entertainment that evening courtesy of 1/11 singers Bob Castor, brothers Billy & Ken Ward, and Morgan Yarborough. On Saturday, the crew reconvened for the Arkansas vs. Texas A&M football game, then enjoyed smoked pulled pork, ribs, and brisket with all the fixings.

An auction of a huge number of Blackhorse memorabilia was held Saturday evening with proceeds going to the Blackhorse Scholarship fund. This auction was particularly significant, and it netted over $10,000 for the cause.

The bulk of the items available for auction were provided by Rondo Jackson. This is not the first time Rondo’s creations have been part of our fundraising activities. In fact, for a number of years he has been a major supporter of our auctions at both regional and annual Association events; this has generated thousands of dollars in sales. His unique skills and craftsmanship create beautiful items that proudly display our Blackhorse and Cavalry heritage.

Former CSM (John Stevens) and two former RCOs (Crow and Rosenberger)

A Big Blackhorse Shout Out to Dave and Beate Cowan for arranging the details, hosting this event, and shepherding the auction! Well Done!

Two Legendary Blackhorse Leaders Recognized

(This is a follow-up to last month’s note, which was incomplete.)

On September 17, 2023, BG (Ret.) John C. (Doc) Bahnsen and BG (Ret.) John Sherman Crow were honored at the Houston Texans NFL game with the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in front of 71,000 fans.

BG (Ret.) Bahnsen is one of the most highly dedicated soldiers in the history of our nation. He commanded the Regiment’s Air Cavalry Troop in Vietnam and was also the Regiment’s 1st Squadron Commander.

BG (Ret.) Crow was the 49th Colonel of the Regiment, leading the Blackhorse Regiment when it was stationed in Fulda, West Germany.

Both of these legends were honored for their service. Please visit the following website to view the recognition video: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2xh6fhzvq5rctj8q9keqw/Salute_To_Service_IND91723.mp4?rlkey=gn4hxr1bc2qw0dvz6wwohi536&dl=0

Christmastime at Blackhorse Base Camp, Vietnam

From the Hickory, North Carolina “Daily Record”
December 20, 1984

Report from the 2023 Blackhorse Marathon
By Dan Newcome

Starling Cooper and I attended the 2023 Blackhorse Marathon in Honor of MG Robert J. Sunell, the 48th Commander of the Regiment. The Blackhorse Association sponsored the marathon by providing trophies and a barbecue after the marathon. Starling and I had the opportunity to interact with the active-duty troopers. It was a successful weekend, and participation in the marathon has increased over previous years. I participated in and completed the 5K race.

Historical Note – Early Cold War Border Service

Courtesy of Don Snedeker

From the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment 1964 Annual Historical Report

“The Regiment’s primary function in Germany was patrolling of 115 miles of West German- Czechoslovakian Border. To accomplish this mission, the Regiment maintained three Recon Troops in border camps at Rotz, Regen, and Roehrnbach. These border camps each supplied the men for manning Observation Posts and patrolling of checkpoints in the Regiment’s sector. Patrols were sent out in all types of weather, sometimes requiring snow shoes and skies. This border mission provided perhaps the greatest challenge and finest training for which a Cavalryman could ask in a peace-time situation. The Officers and Troopers of the Regiment were constantly called upon to perform their assigned mission of security and reconnaissance along the Iron Curtain. Border operations required the full support of all elements within the “Blackhorse” Regiment. The Aviation Company, with its capability for rapid transportation of men and light materials, was constantly called upon to rapidly move men from one vantage point to another. The attached ordnance and medical units were also instrumental in support of border operations. All communications elements within the Regiment were of course, vital in this important mission.”

“Just after the Regiment had completed a very successful but hard 1st Quarter of 1964, the news came in May that the Blackhorse Regiment would be leaving Bavaria and the many friendships that had grown there during the years. The Regiment was ordered back to CONUS. The German Bundeswehr, by request of the 4th Panzer Grenadier Division, who had worked as the Regiment’s closest NATO ally, gave the Regiment a Grosse Zapfenstreich {Grand Tattoo) as a display of its affection for the Blackhorse Regiment. This was the first time any American unit has been so honored with this highest German Military honor.”

A Glimpse at a Part of Cold War History

September 12, 1979

Courtesy of Don Snedeker