President's Message

By: Frank T. Church
2nd Issue, 2025



Good things are still happening within the 11thACVVC, I will continue to share these with you in this edition of our newsletter.

Thunder Run recently went from 4 editions to 3 per year to keep it at the 28-32 pages that is optimal for a single issue. We are not getting the volume of articles and photos from the membership we have had in the past. This is not because there is a lack of interest, just that there are fewer of us to contribute. There is a cost savings of printing and mailing in 1 less edition but the rising cost of both will soon negate that savings. We have a lot of interest in our newsletter, I get a lot of positive comments from many of our members about the quality and information that goes into each article, and many from nonmembers who get the opportunity to read one. Keep sending in your stories, they are the most accurate and meaningful accounting of our history in Vietnam.

Following that theme, if you were in Vietnam with the 11th ACR in the 1968,1969-,1970- and 1971-time frame you most likely read the Blackhorse newspaper that was printed in Vietnam and recounted the activities of the Regiment in real time as it made history. I have a clipping from the newsletter of one of our battles in my Nam photo album. I take that album out occasionally to share with friends and fellow Troopers just to verify to myself that what I remember is real. I recently learned that there has been an ongoing effort involving many Troopers to collect copies of all these editions and centralize them in one place. That has been done and is being posted on our web site, www.11thcavnam.com and Facebook. It is as one Trooper wrote, “goosebump stuff.” Make sure you check it out and get your own goosebumps.

For several years the Regiment at Ft. Irwin has been seeking a way to build an 11th Armored Cavalry memorial on post. It is to be for the soldiers that currently serve with the Blackhorse or have been Blackhorse Troopers so they can learn and appreciate the accomplishments and importance of the 11thACR throughout its history and why there is so much pride in being a member of the Regiment. That effort is finally beginning to develop into a plan that will meet the Regiments’ vision. The committee to make this happen is headed up by the Blackhorse Association with support from the Regiment and the 11thACVVC. We have agreed to work together on this project and have had several zoom calls and emails to work out the details of design, construction, and funding of the memorial. Plans have not been finalized but we do have a basic design for the construction and content of the various plaques. (See the proposed rendering elsewhere in this issue.) We have agreed to work together on making this happen. We are planning to have details ready for presentation to our members at the annual membership meeting in Tulsa, the 40th 11thACVVC reunion.

We are adding to our reunion schedule a time slot to visit and clean grave sites of local 11th Cav KIA” s. This is open to all Troopers to participate and a very worthwhile gesture of not forgetting our lost comrades in Vietnam. It is also an opportunity to give the welcome home they never received. Those names and Troop they served in will be available for those who want to take part in this very solemn tribute. This is being organized by Chaplain Bill, see the reunion schedule for times and room to meet and organize the grave site visits. We enjoy the time we spend together at our reunions, and this is one way to include them in our celebrations.

I want to highlight a recent ceremony held in Columbus, GA. The Order of Saint Geroge Medallion is the top award given to members of the Army’s mounted force by the United States Armor Association of the United States Army. This prestigious award was presented to the 11th Armored Cavalry’s long time historian Don Snedeker. Don is a regular contributor to our Thunder Run, author of many books about the exploits of the 11th Cav and welcome guest to many of our reunions. Congratulations to Don and to Allen Hathaway who has previously received this award. I am fortunate to be a friend and brother to both.

We were, we are, we will always be Blackhorse Troopers.”

Allons, Frank