3rd Quarter

Dear Ladies and Supporters of the Blackhorse Women's Group,

HAPPY NEW YEAR as we greet you from snowy Colorado !! Your Women's Group is just in the beginning stages of planning for the 2024 Reunion in Omaha, NE !! So be sure to look for more details in follow-up Thunder Run articles. We also post updates within our group on our webpage “Blackhorse Women's News”. The link is listed in the index on the first page of the 11thcavnam.com website.

The purpose of the Blackhorse Women's Group is to support the wives and families of our 11th ACVVC Troopers as well as the troopers themselves. To do this we have been supporting the following projects:

Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery – Every year we donate 21 Wreaths to honor the 21 KIA Blackhorse Troopers buried at Arlington.

Prayer Shawls Project - When we are notified of the passing of one of our troopers, or a spouse, we send “a shawl of comfort “ to a family member. Cherry Platt and her volunteers hand make these beautiful shawls. Please contact Cherry if you would like to help her.

Sarah's Angels – When the Blackhorse Women's Group is notified of the passing of one of our ladies, her name is entered into our Sarah's Angels Remembrance Book. Chaplain refers to this book when he mentions her name at the Reunion Memorial Service, and her Trooper is sent a copy of her page.

Remembering our KIA - Our goal is to Honor each of our 730 KIA Blackhorse Troopers by placing a Memorial at their gravesite. We are hoping Troopers and families alike will help us with this project. If you would like to join us in this endeavor please let us know and we can send you the cemetery listing for your state. Or we can help you find it on the website. Our Blackhorse Women's News page, on the website, shows a listing labeled “Blackhorse Women's Remembering 11th ACR KIA's Scrapbook.” The Memorials that have been placed so far are pictured alphabetically on these pages. We still need your help to reach our goal.

Fundraising - At each reunion the Blackhorse Women's Group has a Fundraising Table where we traditionally sell our beautiful “site specific” lanyards for attaching our ID. The proceeds from our sales are donated to the 11th ACVVC Scholarship Fund.

Volunteering - Thank You to those Ladies and Troopers who volunteer at each reunion for the Blackhorse Women Group. Maybe you helped at the fundraising table; or bought a lanyard or donated instead. Or maybe you attended our Women's meeting planned just for you. Maybe you were a guest speaker, or singer, or a Board Member greeting guests at the door. Maybe you knitted or crocheted a beautiful shawl. Thank You, we can't do this without you !

Sadly, I must share of the loss of two of our Blackhorse Ladies:
Doris J Waugh - Trooper: Rufus A Waugh, I Troop 3/11, 7/1968 – 7/1969
Janice Louise Trosper - Trooper: Eddie Trosper, L Troop 3/11, 1/1969- 1/1970

We will surely miss these ladies, as will their families. We will enter their names in our Sarah's Angels

Remembrance Book and they will be honored also at the Memorial Service in Omaha.

We will chat again in the Spring !!
Sheryl Myers, Blackhorse Women's Group
sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Blackhorse Women's News

4th Qtr 2024 News
by Sheryl Myers, Women's Group

Dear Ladies and Supporters of the Blackhorse Women's Group.

To those who were able to attend this year's Reunion in Grand Rapids, thank you for supporting the Women's Group. Your purchases of Lanyards and Blackhorse Picture Frames will allow our group to make a generous donation to the 11ACVVC Scholarship Fund. Special thanks to the ladies who volunteered at our Fundraising Table, we couldn't do it without you.

To those who were able to join the Tour to Heritage Hill and Lunch at the Dunneback & Girls Farm, it was our pleasure to be able to arrange that “Fun Getaway”. Before departing the Farm, Sueanne “Mom” Dunneback, drove a few of us to the cemetery to honor her brother Michael. (Michael Dunneback, KIA Vietnam '69) Troopers Garlock & Newman explained the meaning of the memorial coins as we placed them on Michael's stone. Sueanne and her family were very appreciative.

Our Saturday morning Women's Meeting was well attended. Grace Aducci, niece of John Aducci, KIA '69, opened the meeting by singing “How Great thou Art”. Grace then spoke about her life in America, after being adopted at 3 months old, from Vietnam. This talented young lady also sang and performed TAPS at the Memorial Service.

“Hello, my name is Alex Ferguson, and I am a Blackhorse Wife”, is how our second speaker began her speech. Alex's message on life as an active duty spouse was fun, heartfelt and so appreciated by all in attendance.

We have included our guests' speeches in print for this edition of the Thunder Run, for all to enjoy. Our meeting closed with the Presentation of the Woman of the Year Award :

“For her exceptional service to the 11th ACVVC and the Blackhorse Women's Group”
the 19th Annual Woman of the Year Award is awarded to
Jennifer Quinn

Wishing you all good health and a wonderful holiday season. We will be looking forward to seeing you in Omaha in 2024 !!

3rd Qtr 2023 News
by Sheryl Myers, Women's Group

Dear Ladies and supporters of the Blackhorse Women's Group,

Our reunion in Grand Rapids is just around the corner. If you are planning on joining us for the Tour on Friday, Sept 22nd, please send in your registration now! Registration is open to all in our Blackhorse Family, but we are limited to 78 seats on the buses ! As I write this, we are halfway to that goal ! You can always call me to check on availability before you send that check!! Note: Our tour guide for the Heritage Hill visit, has just confirmed that we will be stopping at one of the historic homes, to tour the interior!! A link to the tour registration form is below. Registration form will be available in the 3rd Qtr Thunder Run, coming to your mailbox soon; or look for it on the BWG Website.

Saturday, Sept 23rd – Blackhorse Women's Group Meeting 9:30 am
Ladies, Let's have the biggest turnout ever, to not only support your Blackhorse Womens Group, but to welcome our special guests.

**Grace Aducci- Grace is the talented musician playing “Taps” on the video shown at our Memorial Services. She will be speaking on her life in America.

**Alexandra Ferguson- wife of Colonel Timothy Ferguson, 70th Colonel of the Blackhorse, will be speaking on her life as an “active duty” spouse.

Fundraising-
The BWG would like to continue to donate generous amounts to the 11ACVVC Scholarship Fund, but we need your help. At our Fundraising Table we will have our Grand Rapids Reunion Lanyards with “non-swivel clips, !! AND wooden picture frames, adorned with the Blackhorse Patch and “11th Armored Cavalry Veterans Vietnam & Cambodia “engraved at the bottom. (see below; backing and acrylic picture cover, included.)

Fundraising Table Hours of operation: Choose a time slot and bring along a friend or two, to help.
Wednesday- 10::00am-12:00pm; 12:00pm-2:00pm; 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Thursday- 9:00am-11:00am(taken) 11:00am-1:00pm; 1:00pm-3:00pm; 3:00pm-5:00pm.
Friday- 9:00am-11:am; 11:00am – 1:00pm; 1:00-3:00pm; 3:00pm-5:00pm
Please call or email your choice of time to: Sheryl 571-721-9189 or sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com

Sarah's Angels - Sadly, we have been notified of the passing of Blackhorse lady Kathy Osborne, wife of Michael Osborne, G Trp, 2/11 . Kathy's name will be added to our Sarah's Angels Honor Roll, and she will be honored at the Memorial Service in Grand Rapids.

Looking forward to seeing you in Grand Rapids, Ladies of the Blackhorse !

Dear Ladies and Supporters of the Blackhorse Women's Group,

Hope this finds you all well and looking forward to some Spring-like weather. Our 38th 11th ACVVC Reunion will be here before we know it, so be sure to keep this edition of the
Thunder Run handy, as you plan your trip to Grand Rapids.

Sadly, I was recently informed of the passing of two our Blackhorse Ladies. Thelma Walker, spouse of Henry Walker, D CO 1st Sq '66-67, passed in September 2022. Thelma & Henry were married 58 years and attended many 11th ACVVC Reunions. Barbara “Barb” Moreno, spouse of Robert “Bob” Moreno, G Trp, 2/11 '68-69, passed in February of this year. Barbara served the Women's Group as a coordinator, for many years. These two ladies' names will be added to our Sarah's Angels Honor Roll and they will be honored at the Reunion Memorial Service..

BWG MEETING: Our Blackhorse Women's Group Annual Meeting will be held as usual on Saturday morning of Reunion Week. Our agenda is still in the planning stage.

TOUR: On Friday morning, please join us on a Tour to Heritage Hill. a residential neighborhood that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the largest urban historic districts in the United States. From there we will be heading out to the “country” to Dunneback & Girls Farm. The Girls will be giving us a tour of this 4 generation farm, and serving our Box Lunches. It will be Apple Harvesting season in Michigan, so pick a bag of apples while you are there! (See the farm's story below.)

REGISTRATION FORM: he registration form for the tour is in this edition of the Thunder Run, please save, copy, or print the form, in case you do not receive the next Thunder Run before our registration deadline of August 15th. The registration form will also be posted on the Blackhorse Women's Group webpage.

DUNNEBACK & GIRLS FARM - A FAMILY TRADITION

It all started nearly 100 years ago. Edwin Dunneback purchased the farm in Alpine Township in 1922. He farmed 170 acres of apples, peaches, corn, hay and a herd of dairy cows.

Edwin had four sons & one daughter. Edward & Joseph continued on the farm adding strawberries & the cold storage, now known as our farm market. From the 30's to the-60s, the barn hosted dances, weddings, farm tours, & hay rides. Edward met his wife Helen at one of these dances.

Edward & Helen had 3 children, Pamela, Michael & Suanne. In 1969, the family was forever changed, when our beloved Michael, son, brother, & uncle, was killed in action in the Vietnam War. Ed could not bear seeing “& Sons” on the front of the barn, so Pam climbed up and changed it to "& Girls”. The tragedy caused irreparable damage to the family, but they pulled together and continued farming. Suanne moved back to the farm to work with her Dad everyday. She has run the farm for the last 40 years. Suanne, her husband and two daughters, Stephanie & Sarah, now live on the farm working to carry on the family tradition of four generations. We offer “u-pick” asparagus, strawberries, sweet & tart cherries, apples and pumpkins. The same barn houses our fresh produce market, gift shoppe, bakery, kitchen & tap room.

Dear Ladies and Supporters, Wishing you and your families a Healthy & Happy 2023. The BWG Board and volunteers will be busy this month planning BWG activities for the 11th ACVVC Reunion in Grand Rapids, MI. For our Saturday morning meeting, our goal has always been to INFORM and ENTERTAIN. If you have an idea that would fulfill either of these goals, please let us know.

Fundraising -
As you know, each year the BWG donates a portion of our Fundraising proceeds to the 11th ACVVC Scholarship Fund. In addition to our popular site-specific LANYARDS, we hope to add another unique item to the Fundraising Table. ** We do still have Blackhorse Totes available at a reduced price. See the order form below.

Our Projects -
Sarah's Angels Honor Roll - If you attended the Memorial Service at the 2022 Reunion, you may have noticed that Chaplain Karabinos now includes the reading of Blackhorse Ladies' names that have been added to Sarah's Angels Honor Roll. Please let us know when you hear of the passing of a Blackhorse Lady. We will need her Trooper's name & unit; date of her passing and copy of obituary, if available. A copy of her page in the Honor Roll Book will be given to her Trooper or family member.z

Wreaths Across America - Your Blackhorse Women's Group donated the funds needed to place 22 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in December. This number represents the 22 11th ACR KIA Troopers buried at Arlington.

11th ACR KIA Remembrance Scrapbook - The BWG has a goal to honor all 730 11th ACR troopers killed in action in Vietnam. We need the help of all 11th ACVVC Ladies & Troopers to reach that goal. Find your state's listing of KIA's and the cemetery where each KIA is buried on the website, or I can send a copy of your state's listing if you let me know. For each KIA you honor, please place a simple memorial at his gravesite that represents the 11th ACR Blackhorse, snap a picture and send the picture by email or letter to Sheryl Myers, (see below). Once your picture is added to the scrapbook, you will be able to learn more about your KIA Trooper and his service. To the 14+ Troopers and families who participated early on to reach our goal, I hope you find comfort in knowing “your trooper” has not been forgotten. Allen & Pam Hathaway and a few other Troopers have added their "memorial visits” from years before our project was introduced. Thank You to all. We are well on our way to remembering and honoring all 730.

Prayer Shawl Project - When we are notified of the passing of one of our troopers, Cherry & her team of knitters and crocheters get busy and send out a beautiful prayer shawl to his spouse or family member.

Blackhorse Women' s Group Website - It is now much easier to access our site on the 11th ACVVC website (11thcavnam.com). On the main page, scroll down to bottom right, and find Blackhorse Women's Group in the directory. A click will take you straight to our page. This is where you will find Board Member info, our most recent BWG News article; pictures; and the 11th ACR KIA Remembrance Scrapbook.

Hoping to see you in Grand Rapids,

Sheryl, Lajaunda, Marguerite, Cherry, Pat, Kathy, Renae, Jan, and Cathi.

Contact Sheryl at
sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com
or 19155 Royal Troon Dr. Monument, CO 80132

Dear Ladies, Aspens leaves are turning gold here in Colorado – welcoming the Fall season, a beautiful time of the year. I'm sure you all have been witnessing the wrath of the hurricane that it is damaging the southeast part of our country. We pray for the safety of all those affected by this storm.

* Reunion Week - Fundraising
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, our Fundraising Table volunteers were busy selling Lanyards and Blackhorse Tote Bags. In an effort to close-out the remaining Totes, we reduced the price to $5.00 ea. We sold 70 Totes, and sold-out the Lanyards. For those who couldn't attend the reunion and would like to purchase 1 or more totes, you can still order by mail. The Order Form has been corrected to reflect this reduced price. Many thanks to all the ladies who volunteered at the tables. Proceeds from these sales allow us to donate to the 11th ACVVC Scholarship Fund, Wreaths Across America, Prayer Shawl Project and other 11th ACVVC programs.

* Saturday Morning Women's meeting – Every year, the Blackhorse Women’s Group honors one lady for “her exceptional service to the Blackhorse Women’s Group” and the 11th ACVVC. This year that award was presented to Carrie Holton. She has blessed us all with her voice. Thank You Carrie.

Angela Hunter, Veterans Service Officer, from the Alabama Dept of Veterans Affairs, Birmingham/Jefferson County, was our speaker. She provided a copy of the latest “Veterans Services” pamphlet to supplement her presentation. Angela provided a thorough explanation of all the benefits available to the spouses of our Veterans, while answering questions from the ladies. Her visit was much appreciated and I hope those in attendance now feel they are better prepared for the future.

For those ladies not in attendance you can contact your local State Dept of Veterans Affairs office for your county and request a copy of the “Veterans Service” pamphlet.

* Business Meeting- Cherry Platt gave an update on our Prayer Shawl Project- She and her helpers have provided just short of 600 prayer shawls to ladies whose Trooper has passed, and now to Troopers
whose Blackhorse Lady has passed. Marguerite, our Treasurer explained her report and discussion was held regarding the amount to be donated this year to the Scholarship Fund. It was agreed to donate $2000. to the 11th ACVVC Scholarship Fund. We will also be donating to the Wreaths Across America project, to provide 22 wreaths in honor of the 11th ACR KIA Troopers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

* Sarah’s Angels Honor Roll - Two of our Blackhorse Ladies were recently added to our Sarah's Angels Honor Roll. Deanna Haworth, spouse of Chaplain Larry Haworth, passed in January of this year. Deanna will be remembered especially for her loving service to the Blackhorse Women's Group for many years, as our Prayer Leader. Janet Maley passed in 2021. She was the spouse of Robert Maley, HHT 2/11th and F Trp, '68-'69. Please read all about the Sarah's Angels Honor Roll project in this issue of Thunder Run.

* Our Page on the Website - It is now easier to access the Blackhorse Women's Group page on the 11th Cav website (11thcavnam.com). On the main page, near the bottom, look for Blackhorse Women’s Group in the directory. A click will take you straight to our page. This is where you will find our list of Board Members, our latest article in Thunder Run, and the “Honoring Our KIA's Scrapbook”.

For each KIA Trooper honored in the Scrapbook, there is now a link at the bottom of his picture, which will provide not only his Memorial page, but state cemetery location. Thank You, Allen

Thank You to those that attend our meetings, support us with their time, and donations. We love you!!

Sheryl Myers
sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com
571-721-9189
and Lajaunda, Marguerite, Cherry, Renae, Kathy, Jan & Cathi

Dear Ladies, the 37th Annual 11thACVVC Reunion is around the corner. We hope you all are planning on attending.

The Blackhorse Women’s Group will be meeting as usual on Saturday morning of reunion week. Spouses and/or family members are welcome to attend, while our Troopers are attending their Annual Business Meeting.

At the request of many spouses & family members, we have invited a VA Service Officer to speak at our meeting on how the VA serves our veterans and their families at this time in our lives. Please bring along your questions and concerns, as there will be an opportunity to ask questions following the VSO’s presentation. We hope you will join us for this valuable meeting. Please arrive by 9:15 am.

One of our Women’s Group fundraisers is the sale of site-specific lanyards that keep your registration tag visible. We unfortunately did not receive our lanyards for the Dallas Reunion last year. So please drop by our Fundraiser Table and pick up your beautiful Birmingham Reunion lanyard. Our Fundraising Table will be located near the Quartermaster Store. Also on that table will be our beautiful Blackhorse Tote Bags. Sales of these two items allow our group to donate to the 11th ACVVC Scholarship Fund, the Assistance Fund, etc. We will need volunteers to work at our Fundraising Table, so if you would like to take a 2 hr. shift sometime on Tues, Wed, Thurs, or Fri please let us know. It’s a lot of fun !!!!

Sheryl Myers
sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com
571-721-9189
and Lajaunda, Marguerite, Cherry, Renae, Kathy, Jan & Cathi

Hello Spring !! We hope to see you all at the 2022 11^th ACVVC Reunion in Birmingham, AL. Please refer to Thunder Run for information on registering, etc. or go to the 11^th ACVVC website, www.11thcavnam.com .

The Blackhorse Women's Group meets on Saturday morning of Reunion Week. Spouses and/or family members are welcome to attend while our Troopers are attending their Annual Business Meeting.

At the request of many from our group, we have invited a VA Service Officer to our meeting to speak on how the VA serves our veterans and their families. Charles Bosko, a VSO, and member of 11^th ACVVC will be our speaker. There will be a Question & Answer segment also, so bring along all your questions to this valuable meeting.

Sadly, we were notified recently of the passing of two of our Blackhorse Ladies --
Leslie Carter, Trooper - Stanley Carter, A Trp, 1/11 and Emily Bocanegra, Trooper Joel Bocanegra, E Trp 2/11. The Blackhorse Womens Group will enter their names into our “Sarah's Angels” Book of Remembrance and will send a Prayer Lap Shawl to her Trooper or family member. Please notify Sheryl Myers, of the passing of a Blackhorse Lady and include her name, date of passing, her Trooper's name and unit and his or a family member's address.

Our Blackhorse Tote Bags are still available. Your purchase will benefit the 11^th ACVVC Scholarship Fund and the projects of the Blackhorse Women's Group. Order by mail, or purchase at our Fundraising Table at the Reunion.

We are looking forward to visiting with you in Birmingham.

Sheryl, Lajaunda, Marguerite, Kathy, Cathi, Cherry, and Jan

1^st Qtr 2022 News
By Sheryl Myers, Co-coordinator

Dear Ladies and Supporters of the Blackhorse Women's Group,

This is our first greeting of 2022, and it brings with it wishes for a Happy & Healthy New Year for each of you.

We hope you are making plans to attend the 2022 11^th ACVVC Reunion in Birmingham, AL, Sept 5-11^th at the Sheraton Birmingham. Look for details in the Thunder Run and on the Website.

Your BWG coordinators will be planning another informative and entertaining group meeting for Saturday morning of Reunion Week. We hope you will join us.

There are many opportunities through out the year for anyone in our 11^th ACVVC family to support the projects of the Blackhorse Women's Group. Please consider these opportunities:

- Purchase a Blackhorse Tote Bag- Proceeds benefit the 11^th ACVVC Scholarship Fund
- Prayer Shawl Project –If you knit or crochet and would like to support this project please contact Cherry Platt @ fredplatt@att.net
- Remembering our KIA's – This opportunity is open to all in our 11^th ACVVC family; Place a simple memorial at the gravesite of one, or more of our KIA's; snap a picture; send picture by email or mail to us and we will add the memorial to our Remembering Our KIA's Scrapbook and feature it in future Thunder Run issues. Please contact Sheryl @ sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com or at 19155 Royal Troon Dr. Monument, CO 80132, for questions or a listing of the gravesites in your state.
- Sarah's Angels Honor Roll – If you are made aware of the passing of one our Blackhorse Ladies, please notify Sheryl.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you in Birmingham !!

I would like to begin by thanking the Ladies, and Troopers, who were able to attend our Tour of the Dallas Gardens & Arboretum. You braved the heat and near starvation, but many took the time to share their appreciation for the chance to explore this beautiful Dallas landmark.

On Saturday morning, at our BWG meeting, we were treated to music by Carrie Holton, inspired by a message from Chaplain Karabinos, and given a history lesson by podcast, created just for us, by Don Snedeker, our 11th ACVVC Historian. Titled “Blackhorse Women’s Group Historical Overview, Don gave us insight through historical photos, writings and conversations, into the lives of 11th Cavalry wives & family members, beginning in the early 1900’s. We laughed, as well as shed a tear or two, appreciating the difficult lives of the loved ones who waited at home or in a few cases, found a way to join their trooper wherever he was assigned !! To Carrie, Chaplain Karabinos and Don, we thank you.

We also honored one of our own, by presenting the 18th Annual 11th ACVVC Woman of the Year award to Lajaunda Williams. Lajaunda serves as our Co-coordinator. She also took on the job of mailing out all the Blackhorse Tote Bag orders in 2020 & 2021. This was difficult at times when she had to evacuate her home a few times because of flooding storms in southern Texas !! Congratulations, Lajaunda !

We also honored those ladies whose names have been entered on Sarah’s Angles Honor Roll. Marguerite Austin, our Treasurer, read the ladies names as well as their Trooper’s name. We miss each of these ladies and honor them for their support to their Trooper, and the Blackhorse Women’s Group.

Fundraising - A big thank you to the ladies who volunteered to help at our Fundraising Table this year . Thanks, also to the Beamons for the space and table provided to us in the Quartermaster Store. Unfortunately, we did not receive our site-specific lanyards order before the reunion, so were limited to just sales of the Blackhorse Tote Bags. We have included a revised order form for the Totes, in this issue. * Note change in Marguerite’s address.

Projects - Wreaths Across America - We will again this year, be sending a donation to Wreaths Across America to place a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery at the gravesite of the 21 11th ACR Troopers buried there. Prayer Shawl Project - Cherry and her volunteers are angels at work, providing shawls of comfort to families whose Trooper or spouse has passed. Please notify Pete Walter or Chaplain Karabinos at the passing of a Trooper, or a Lady of the Blackhorse. Their contact information is in the Thunder Run. Remembering Our KIA’s - The goal of this project is to honor each of the over 700 KIA’s of the 11th ACR. You can help us by visiting the gravesite of a KIA, placing a memorial that recognizes the 11th Armored Cavalry and then taking a picture of the gravesite and memorial. Please send that picture to Sheryl Myers by email or mail to: sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com or 19155 Royal Troon Dr. Monument, CO 80132. The names of the KIA’s and the state and Cemetery location are listed on the 11th Cav website, or you can call or write me, and I will see that you receive your state’s list. 571-721-9189 . Examples of memorials are shown in our Remembering our KIA’s Scrapbook on the website or in a Thunder Run Edition.

Please know that however you choose to support the work of the Blackhorse Women’s Group, it is greatly appreciated. We will be looking forward to meeting with you all in Birmingham, AL in 2022.

The Blackhorse Women's Group is looking forward seeing you all in Dallas and hoping you receive this edition of the Thunder Run before you leave for the reunion. !!! Come and join us as we support the 11th ACVVC Family.

Women's Group Schedule of Events in Dallas:

Wednesday Aug 25
1:00 pm – 5:00pm In Quartermaster Store – The Blackhorse Women's Fundraising Table -
    Items available: Dallas Reunion Lanyards and Blackhorse Tote Bags (If you would like to volunteer for a 2 hour       shift at our table, please contact Sheryl)

Thursday, Aug 26
9:00am – 5:00 pm In Quartermaster Store – The Blackhorse Women's Fundraising Table
    Items available: Dallas Reunion Lanyards and Blackhorse Tote Bags
    ( Grab 2-3 of your friends and volunteer a 2 hour shift at our table...be the team to sell-out our items !! )

Friday, Aug 27th
8:30 am – 1:00pm – Dallas Arboretum & Gardens Tour-
    Registered participants meet at the hotel's “Grand Entrance” at 8:30am to board tour bus.
    ** If you are not attending the Gardens Tour, please volunteer to work our Fundraising Table.
        Times available: 9:00am –11:00am or 11:00am-1:00 pm .
1:00pm – 4:00pm –Any remaining fundraising items will be available at our table in the Quartermaster Store,
    until sold out !! Need volunteers to be the “team” to “sell out”. Times available: 1:00pm –???

Saturday, Aug 28th
9:00am – 12:00noon – Blackhorse Women's Group Meeting - While our Troopers attend their Annual Membership
Meeting, we invite the rest of our 11th ACVVC family to join us for the morning.
We will begin with a very short business meeting and announce the 11th ACVVC Woman of the Year recipient.
Chaplain Bill Karabinos, 11th ACVVC Chaplain, and Don Snedeker, 11th ACVVC Historian will be our speakers.
Carrie Holton will be entertaining us again with her beautiful voice. See you then.

Updates:
Sarah's Angels Honor Roll – We recently added two additional names to the Sarah's Angels Honor Roll,
with the passing of Rosa Rector, wife of David Rector, I Trp., and Yolanda Gehring, wife of Joe Gehring, I Trp.
We will surely miss these ladies and all the support they gave to the 11thACVVC.
Prayer Shawl Project – Many thanks to Cherry Platt and all the ladies who knit or crochet the Prayer Shawls
& Lap Shawls. Families should report the loss of a Trooper to President Pete Walter and/or Chaplain Bill,
and they will notify Cherry. Loss of a 11thACVVC Lady should be reported to Sheryl Myers.
Remembering our KIA's - If you would like to take part in this project, please contact Sheryl.
If you do not have access to the online listing of the cemeteries where 11th ACR KIA's are buried, I can send
you a paper copy.

If you have any questions, OR need to sign up to volunteer at our Fund-raising Table, please contact Sheryl at
571-721-9189.

Sheryl, Lajaunda, Marguerite, Cherry, Cathi, Kathy, Renee, & Jan

Spring has finally sprung here in Colorado and the daffodils are popping up through the left-over snow patches. We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Reunion in Dallas. We have plans for an informative as well as entertaining Blackhorse Women’s Group Meeting on Saturday morning, that you are sure to enjoy.

We also have planned a Trip to the Dallas Arboretum & Gardens on Friday morning. Join us for a stroll through these beautiful, award winning, shade filled gardens and then enjoy a box lunch before we return to the hotel. We are departing the hotel at 8:30am, to beat the heat of the day. The Registration form can be found in this edition of the Thunder Run. Since the 3rd Qtr Thunder Run may not get to you before the Registration deadline, please save the form in this issue and send it as soon as you can. We will have a limit of 110 registrations. Deadline is July 1st. Click here for the Form.

In closing, I will share with you that the Blackhorse Women’s Group has added two of our 11^th ACVVC Ladies to our Sarah’s Angels Honor Roll - Elaine Rafferty, wife of Mike Rafferty, our 11th ACVVC Scholarship Chairman, passed suddenly in February and Kaki Shenamann, wife of Trooper Charles Shenamann, HOW 3/11, passed on March 29th. These ladies will be missed. We have included an article in this issue of the Thunder Run, explaining the Blackhorse Women’s Group Remembrance projects, Sarah’s Angels Honor Roll and the Prayer Shawl project. The Ladies of the Blackhorse and their Troopers deserve to be honored.

If you need any additional information please contact me at: sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com or

Well welcome to 2021! To say we are really looking forward to being with you all in Dallas, is an understatement !! So the Blackhorse Women's Group is already putting plans together for our events at the reunion.

*** Cherry and her team have now sent out 520 Prayer Shawls, since this project's inception.

*** Your purchase of Blackhorse Totes has continued throughout the year, providing funds to contribute to the 11^th ACVC Scholarship Fund. Thank You !

*** Our group funded 21 “Wreaths Across America” wreaths for placement at Arlington National Cemetery, in honor of the 11th ACR KIA buried there.

*** In Remembrance of 11^th ACR KIA - Two more memorials are included in this issue. The Blackhorse Women's Group would like to send our heart-felt thanks to all the families who have placed memorials:

Laurie Honican, Robert Slusarski, Terri Berry, Floyd & Janet Green, John & Marie (Heath) Prescott, Darrell & Rosalee Zipp, and Mary & Roger Karels.

If you would like to be a part of this project, contact Sheryl at sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com or

By Sheryl Myers

Dear Blackhorse Women’s Group Members and all others that support our group,
We certainly missed seeing all of you in Indianapolis! So, for our 4th Quarter Thunder Run News News article, we will be bringing you up-to-date with reports from our Treasurer, and our Prayer Shawl Project Chair. You will notice that we have 6 additional entries to our “Remembering 11th ACR KIA’s” scrapbook, 3 from Kentucky and 3 from Nebraska. A heartfelt thank you to all who have traveled to place memorials, and honor our KIA’s. If you would like
to be a part of this project, please write or call for more information. sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com
Message from our Treasurer, Margarite Austin
"Blackhorse Women's News Sept. 2019 - Sept. 2020
1. Sept. 2019 - 300 lanyards were sold at the 2019 Las Vegas Reunion.
2. A Blackhorse Thermos was given to Doc Beavens as a Thank you for speaking to the Women's Group (2019).
3. The Blackhorse Women's Group has sold and sent out 96 Blackhorse totes since the 2019 reunion in Las Vegas. Lajaunda Williams has been reimbursed for the postage to mail these totes out. We have 408 totes remaining to sell during the year and at the reunion in Dallas.
4. In October 2019 the Blackhorse Women ordered 21 wreaths at $15.00 each from Wreaths Across America to be placed in Arlington Cemetery at Christmas time.
5. March 2020 the Blackhorse Women's Board was planning and preparing a Women's Outing at the Indianapolis Propylaeum during the reunion. A deposit of $320.00 was sent to the Indianapolis Propylaeum and a deposit of $1,000.00 was sent to Chef Suzanne for lunches. After cancelling the Women's Outing in April because of Covid 19 our deposits were requested back. $270.00 was received on April 29 from Indianapolis Propylaeum and $1,000. was received from Chef Suzanne on Sept. 3.
6. The Blackhorse Women's Board voted to donate $2,000.00 to the 11th ACVVC Scholarship Fund in Memory of the 11th ACR KIA to add to scholarships funds since there was not a silent auction this year.
7. The Blackhorse Women's Group will be ordering 21 more wreaths from Wreath Across American in Oct. to be placed at Arlington Cemetery again this year.
Respectfully submitted, Marguerite Austin, Blackhorse Women’s Treasurer
Message from our Prayer Shawl Chair, Cherry Platt
Since our last reunion we have sent out 68 prayer shawls to the spouses, and/or family members of Troopers who have recently passed on to Fiddlers Green. You can help us reach out to the spouses or family members, by first notifying 11th ACVVC President, Pete Walter of the Trooper’s passing. If you would like to join Cherry’s group of ladies who knit or crochet these beautiful shawls, please contact Cherry at fredplatt@att.net
In closing, I would like to send out a big Thank You to all who have supported our fundraising efforts, by purchasing a Blackhorse Tote Bag. Because of you, we have recently made a generous donation to the 11th ACVVC Scholarship Fund. THANK YOU ! Please look for an Order Form in the 4th Quarter Thunder Run or on the 11th Cav Website (below), to place your order
for yourself or as gifts. Looking forward to seeing you all in 2021 in Dallas !!
Love from, Lajaunda, Marguerite, Renee, Cherry, Cathi, Jan, Kathy and Sheryl

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Dear Blackhorse Women’s Group Members and all those who support our group,

Although, we will not be functioning in person at the Indianapolis Reunion, the Blackhorse Women’s Group is carrying on with coordinating our projects as usual. Cherry Platt

has sent out prayer shawls to the family’s of Troopers lost since our last reunion and we will again be supporting the Wreaths Across America project this December.

Your support of our Fund-raising efforts, through the sale of the Blackhorse Tote bags, has allowed us to make a generous donation to the 11thACVVC Scholarship Fund this year.

Please use the Order Form in this issue to order Blackhorse Totes for yourself, family and friends.

Our project to “Remember our KIA’ s has received a few additional entries into our Remembrance Book, but we have a long way to go. We need your help! Please find the list by State, of those Killed in Action while serving with the 11thACR in Vietnam/Cambodia, on the 11thCav Website (11thcavnam.com): Fiddlers Green/Vietnam/KIA Information /Cemeteries by State. We ask that you send a picture of the Trooper’s stone or plaque showing the inscription and the memorial you placed. The memorial could be a flag, a single flower or bouquet, etc, or just the words, “Never Forgotten- 11^thACVVC- Blackhorse” on a card.

Sheryl Myers 19155 Royal Troon Dr. Monument, CO 80132 Please call me if you would like to receive a printed copy of a state’s listing. 571-721-9189

We miss you all. Stay safe, be well and……..Come join us in Dallas in 2021 !!

The Indianapolis Reunion is still in the planning stages, but the Blackhorse Women’s Group Tour/Luncheon – “”19^th to 23^rd-As Told in the Old North Side”, has been cancelled. The tours of two beautiful historic mansions, the luncheon, and bus transportation, would have prevented us from practicing social distancing and wearing masks, as we should. If you plan on attending the reunion and would like to venture out into the city, here is the contact information for two special places.

Please join the Blackhorse Women’s group in our project to recognize those troopers who were Killed in Action while serving with the 11^th Armored Cavalry.

Here is how you can help: Find the listing of KIA’s buried in your state by going on the 11^th Cav website, 11cavnam.com . ChooseFiddlers Green listing, /Vietnam, /KIA Information page and listing of Cemeteries by State. (or your can send me an email requesting your state’s listing).We are asking that you document your visit, by taking a picture of the Stone or Plaque showing the inscription, and the memorial you placed. Whether it is a single flower, a letter, wreath, or bouquet, please, if possible, attach a note with these words, “Never Forgotten”-11^th Armored Cavalry/Blackhorse”. Send your picture by mail to:

Sheryl Myers 19155 Royal Troon Dr. Monument, CO 80132 or email at sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com and I will print it. Make your visit preferably not on a holiday, so you can maintain social distancing.Enlist the help of friends & family members in other parts of your state or other states– it is a heartfelt experience!

Your pictures will be arranged by State in our Book of Remembrances, which will be present at all our gatherings.

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If you have never heard of the Blackhorse Women's Group, we are "Family, Friends and Supporters" of the Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam & Cambodia. We meet on Saturday morning of reunion week, while our Troopers are attending their Annual Membership Meeting.

The Women’s Group wants to extend a big thank you to all those who have in the past, supported our Projects, that in turn support our Troopers. You have attended our meetings, bought our Lanyards, and other fund-raising items, crocheted and knitted hundreds of Prayer Shawls, placed memorials at our KIA’s gravesites and attended our special events. We look forward to being with you again in Indianapolis !

Wreaths Across America : The Women’s Group purchased 21 wreaths in 2019 as part of the Wreaths Across America project at Arlington National Cemetery. There are 21 11^th ACR KIA’s buried at Arlington. We have also begun a project to recognize those KIA’s buried at other cemeteries across the country. This is how you can help: 1) Your state’s listing of cemeteries and name of trooper buried there is provided on the 11ACVVC website under Fiddlers Green/Vietnam/Cemetery listing by State. Or contact me and I will see that you receive your state listing. 571-721-9189 or sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com . 2) We ask that you send a PICTURE of the gravesite plaque or stone marker and the memorial you placed, to me by email or mail

(19155 Royal Troon Dr. Monument, CO 80132) The memorial could be a single flower, a note, a wreath, or a bouquet, etc. We will reimburse you the cost of the memorial if you include your receipt. The Women’s Group will maintain of book of remembrances by state as we receive your Photos.

Prayer Shawls Project - Please contact Cherry Platt if you would like to help with the Prayer Shawl Project @ fredplatt@att.net

Fund Raising - At the Indianapolis Reunion, our fund-raisers will be our popular site-specific lanyards and the Blackhorse Shopping Bags. We will need your help working the fund raising tables, so let us know if you would like to join in the fun.

Indianapolis Reunion - Your Blackhorse Women’s Group coordinators will be researching the possibility of adding a special event to be held on Friday of Reunion Week. Stay tuned for the details.

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Traditionally the 4^th Quarter Thunder Run is for re-capping the Reunion of that year as well as looking forward to the next year. And I’m going to keep with that tradition!

Our Blackhorse Women’s Meeting in Las Vegas was well attended. Thanks to all who came and spent your Saturday morning with us. I hope we met our goal of “informing, as well as entertaining” each one of you. Our meetings are open to everyone in the Blackhorse Family who would like to join us in support of our Troopers and the 11^th ACVVC.

A special thanks to our guests, Carrie Holton and Dr. Barry Beavon. Carrie, your message through song, was heartwarming and heartfelt. “Doc” Beaven, you made the job as a MEDIC “real“for us with your candor and humor. Thank You so much.

Prayer Shawls - Cherry reported that 31 Shawls were sent out this year. Since the project began in 2011 we have sent out 455 shawls to 11th ACVVC family members whose Trooper has passed. A big thanks to all the ladies who knit, crochet, and support this project.

Sarah’s Angels - Jan will add 2 additional ladies to our Sarah’s Angels Honor Roll . 1) Pat Perez Mitchell. Pat, who passed Sat morning of Reunion Week, was a “forever“ volunteer in the Quartermaster Store and the wife of Jerry Mitchell, HOW1/11. 2) Arlene Terry. Arlene’s sons served with the 11^th Cav and she attended many reunions in support of their service; Arlene also created shawls for our Prayer Shawl project. If you know of a Blackhorse lady who has passed, please contact Jan Beamon @ 903-780-5621 .

Honoring 11^th ACVVC KIA’s - This is a fairly new project for the Women’s Group. We are asking you to help us honor each Trooper who was killed in action while serving with the 11^th Cav. We realize this will take time. But with your help we would like to give it a try. On the 11^th Cav website (11cavnam.com), look for Fiddlers Green, choose Vietnam and the list of KIA Cemetery List by State will be available. Several ladies at our meeting signed up to help and their state list has been sent to them. Email or call me and we will see that you receive your state list. We ask that you take a picture of the Trooper’s headstone and the memorial you placed, and send it to us for our records. We will reimburse you the cost of your memorial if you also send your receipt. Our group for years has donated to Wreaths Across America to place wreaths in honor of the 21 KIA’s buried at Arlington National Cemetery, traditionally done in early December. You can place your memorial whenever you have the opportunity.

Fund Raising –A BIG thank you to the ladies who volunteered to work our Fund Raising table at the reunion. Lanyards sold out and 100 of the Blackhorse bags were sold. We have had requests for the Bags from families who could not attend the Las Vegas reunion, so in this issue you will find an ORDER FORM with all the information you need, to receive the Bags by mail. If ordering for Christmas gifts, send in the order form with payment, promptly. The order form will be in future Thunder Runs and the Bags will also be available at the Indianapolis Reunion.

The reunion in 2020, will be in Indianapolis, August 26-30^th. Mark those calendars now.

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The 11^th AVCCV Reunion in Las Vegas is just 2 months away and the Blackhorse Women’s Group will be meeting on Saturday of “reunion week”, at 9:00am. Our Troopers will be attending their Annual Membership Meeting at that hour, so please come and be a part of our endeavor to support the 11^th ACVVC Family. We will be having a short business meeting followed by a program that we hope will be informative as well as entertaining for all. We have invited a fellow Blackhorse trooper who served as a Medic, attending to our troopers’ medical needs, and has authored a book about his experiences, to speak at our meeting, and if all goes as expected we may have an additional guest.

The Blackhorse Women’s Group is lead by a committee of volunteers and supported by those of you who give a little of yourtime during the reunions to come to our meetings,participate in our projects, and sign up to work our fund raiser table in the QuartermasterStore. If you would like to volunteer for a time slot at the fundraiser table please email Kathy Tandberg, kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com or myself , sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com .

Speaking of volunteering, here are a few messages from the ladies that lead our group:

* Greetings, I’m Lajaunda Williams from Nederland, Texas, and I’m your Co-coordinator this year. My husband is Harry Williams, L Troop, ‘60-’70. We are very, very, lucky to have been “found” by Gary & Sheryl Myers in 2015 and to attend our first reunion that same year. I regret all those years we missed, but look forward to the many years to come. I have met several of you over the past 4 years, and one thing is very obvious, we have an amazing group of Blackhorse Ladies. You and your troopers, have become a part of my and Harry’s life. “Through Unity of Purpose, there is no limit to what we can achieve”, and without “YOU” there is no “WE”. So please be sure to join us on Saturday morning as we support our Blackhorse Family. Along with Marguerite, I am really looking forward to meeting you at the Welcome Table.

* Hi Ladies, I’m Marguerite Austin from Wilmar/Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. My Blackhorse husband is Dale Austin, of K Troop. I’ve been a part of the Women’s Group since 2013. I serve as the Treasurer of the Women’s Group and also keep our Address Book up-to-date. The Treasurer’s responsibility is to manage our Financial Records, (deposits, pay out expenses, and donations received). Our Group also has our “books” audited every other year by Zilda Ritchie. Looking forward to meeting you at the Welcome Table on Saturday morning.

* Ladies, I am Renee Majors, Secretary of the Blackhorse Women’s group. Previously, I helped out as Co-cordinator with Kathy Tandberg. My husband is Bruce Majors from C Troop and we live in Bedford, Indiana. We received an invitation to attend the first 11^th Cav reunion in 1986, but my husband didn’t know what to expect, but we did attend the 2^nd reunion in 1987 in Washington, DC. Since then we have attended almost all of the yearly reunions. As Secretary, the minutes I record will be incorporated into the Thunder Run Women’s Message that follows each reunion, so those who couldn’t make it to the reunion will be in the know. Hope you can join us in Las Vegas !!

* Well ladies, it is almost time to meet once again at our big Blackhorse Family reunion, this year in Las Vegas. I’m Jan Beamon and besides volunteering with the Women’s Group, my husband, Jerry Beamon, K Troop, ’69-’70 and I will be found at the Quartermaster Store. The Women’s Group will once again have a fundraiser table at the Quartermaster Store, selling those sought after Lanyards, along with a second great item. These fundraisers help to support several different projects of the Women’s Group. Wishing safe travels for each and every family and looking forward to seeing everyone soon. If you have any questions, call or email me any time. Jan - 903-780-5621 or janwowwe@gmail.com .

* Hi, This is Cherry Platt, the Women’s Group Prayer Shawl Chairman. I am the widow of Fred Platt, L Troop, ’66-67. We started the Prayer Shawl Project in 2011 to comfort the spouses of the troopers lost since that date. Our volunteers join with me to send out beautiful shawls, along with an attached crocheted angel, bookmark with a prayer, and a sympathy card. This project would not be possible without the help of all the talented women of the Blackhorse. Thank You so much.

* Hi, this is Kathy Tandberg and I am Fundraiser Chair this year. My husband is Lauren Tandberg, of C Troop, ’69-’70. Our Fund Raisers this year are 1) our very popular site specific lanyards and 2) a fabric “Blackhorse” shopping bag, similar to those found at grocery stores. We need volunteers to work our “fundraising table” at the Quartermaster Store. Please let me know if you want to be on the list of volunteers and what day and time slot you would like. We will confirm with you just prior to the reunion. You can email me at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com .

Hi Ladies, This is Cathi Bower and I help keep the Women’s Facebook page up and running. Anyone can “post” on our Facebook page or you can just view the page’s latest entries by typing in this in your browser: Blackhorse (11thACVVC) Women Try it out and see what our Blackhorse Family is sharing. See you at the Women’s meeting !!

Before I close, be sure to read Marguerite’s article “ Restoration of Hope”, about her unique experience at volunteering, in this issue of the Thunder Run.

Have a great summer and I’m really looking forward to seeing you all in Vegas.

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Dear Ladies, Spring has sprung here in Colorado…... we hope!! For those of you who experienced a wild winter season, I know you are also looking forward to seeing some sun & blossoms.

The first message I would like to share with you is from Kathy Tandberg, our former Coordinator and now our Fund Raising Chairman. Kathy sends a big Thank You to those who brightened her days, after she suffered a stroke in December. Your cards, messages and prayers were and are greatly appreciated. Kathy is working hard to regain her strength and mobility, in the hopes that she will be able to join us at the reunion in Las Vegas. She sends her love to you all.

REUNION RESGISTRATION: Reunion Week is Aug 20^th-25^th. Please send in your Reunion Registration and reserve a room at the Westgate, as August will be here before we know it. If you have any questions about the Reunion, please contact President Peter Walter.

*Rooms: Call the Westgate at 1-800-635-7711 and mention the Reservation Code SACV9R .

*Reunion Registration: Registration forms can be found in issues of the Thunder Run, or on the 11^th Cav website: 11thcavnam.com Deadline is July 24^th.

The Blackhorse Womens Group will meet on Saturday of reunion week, at 9:00am, while our Troopers are attending their Annual Membership Meeting. Our program details are still in the planning stage, but we are looking forward to meeting you there. If the Las Vegas Reunion will be your “first”, we welcome you to join us on Saturday morning.

Once in awhile during the year we may need to communicate with you between Thunder Run issues regarding Blackhorse Women’s Group happenings. Please notify me, or one of the Board Members of any changes in your Contact Information, including phone #, or your E-mail address.

If you don’t have E-mail, perhaps a family member or friend could accept messages for you at their address.

Prayer Shawl Project –Cherry Platt and her team of volunteers create beautiful shawls to be mailed out throughout the year to families of a Trooper who has passed on to Fiddlers Green. The need for shawls is increasing, so if you would like to join Cherry’s team, or help in any other way, please contact her by E-mail at fredplatt@att.net .

Wreaths Across America – Last year, Kathy Tandberg announced how the Women’s Group will be further supporting this project. Each December, we donate a portion of our raised funds to Wreaths Across America to place wreaths at the gravesites of the 21 Blackhorse KIA buried at Arlington Cemetery. We would like to expand our outreach, by eventually placing a wreath at each of the remaining 709 KIA Blackhorse troopers’ gravesites across the nation. We have a plan, but we will need your help. We will be providing more information on HOW you can help in future Thunder Run editions and of course at our meeting in Las Vegas.

Fund Raising - Why do we have fund raisers? The projects mentioned above are supported by our fund- raisers. For example, the funds buy postage and yarn for the Prayer Shawl project and wreaths for Wreaths Across America. We will have those popular reunion site-specific lanyards available at our fund raising table again this year, and Kathy is working on providing a second item that we know you will love. We depend on volunteers to work the fundraising table. Please let me know if you would like to add your name to our volunteer list. The more volunteers that sign up, the shorter the shifts will be, and the more time you will have to enjoy other reunion events. Plus, it’s fun! You can email me at sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com or call me at 719-559-0695 to volunteer.

Sarah’s Angels – In 2015, after the passing of one of our faithful volunteers, we began honoring as “Sarah’s Angels”, those 11th ACVVC women who have passed since the date of January 2015. We honor these women at each meeting by reading The Honor List of Sarah’s Angels. Please contact Jan Beamon by email at janwowwe@gmail.com , or myself at 719-559-0695 or 19155 Royal Troon Dr. Monument, CO 80132, if you have information on a loss. All losses need to be verified, so Jan will need the women’s name, husband’s name and unit, date of death, address, and a copy or link to the obituary notice (or email of notice) would be greatly appreciated.

The Women’s Group Board Members contact information is listed on the 11thACVVC website at 11thcavnam.com. In the middle of the home page, click on “Messages”, which will take you to another page with the listing “Blackhorse Women’s News”. Click on that and you will find a listing titled Blackhorse Women’s Board Members. Important additional links are listed there as well.

Please join us for fun and purpose, as we support our Blackhorse Women and the 11^thACVVC Family.

Happy New Year Ladies, and greetings from Colorado! I am Sheryl Myers and I will now be filling the position of Coordinator for the Blackhorse Women’s Group. Our previous board, led by Kathy Tandberg, began a positive re-organization of the Blackhorse Women’s Group over five years ago and your 2019 board members are dedicated to continue that work still in progress. Our organization’s motto is – “We are family, friends and supporters who stand with the 11^th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia”. The Women’s Group, when possible, will offer a little diversion to our members, while the men enjoy additional time with their brothers in arms.

I also would like to send a special thank you to all the ladies who attended our

meeting in Grand Rapids, to make the beaded bracelets. There were 146 ladies in attendance. We would love to increase that number every year. Your board will always have our members in mind when we plan the Saturday meetings and/or special events. If you have an idea for future get-together’s, please share it by emailing any of the Women’s Board members. Follow the link “Messages “ on the first page of the 11th Cav website –

- and you will find Blackhorse Women’s News, then the Women’s Board Members info.

Looking ahead: The 34th annual 11ACVVC Reunion will be held in Las Vegas, NV. Since Las Vegas offers so many venues of entertainment, we are hoping to feature a speaker that will interest all in attendance at the Women’s Group meeting on Saturday morning. We also will add a new additional fundraising item at the reunion. Our fundraising benefits the projects we take on to serve our Veterans. Look for an update in the spring.

Projects: Currently, the Women’s Group has 2 main projects that serve our veterans. The first is the Prayer Shawl Project. Chaired by Cherry Platt, and begun in 2011, 400+ shawls have been sent to family and/or spouse of an 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia trooper who has passed since 2011. To find out more about this project and how you can help, please contact Cherry at: fredplatt@att.net or call her at 770-445-7534.

The second project is Wreaths Across America. The Women’s Group sends 21 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery each year, representing the 21 Blackhorse Troopers KIA in Vietnam and Cambodia, buried there. We announced at our last meeting that our Women’s Group is going to further our participation in this project by providing the information needed for members to honor those KIA buried in a cemetery near where you live. We hope to eventually honor all 730 KIA Blackhorse Troopers. If you weren’t able to take part in this project in December, and need more information, please contact Kathy Tandberg at: sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com or call 719-559-0695 and leave a message if no answer.

Last but not least, we welcome Lajaunda Williams to the Women’s Board to serve as co-coordinator. She and her husband Harry, L Troop, live in Texas. Harry served with my husband in Nam, but we didn’t reconnect until 2015 when Gary & I successfully found 3 other troopers. We hope you all will join us at the reunion in Vegas. In the meantime we will keep in touch. Sheryl Myers at: sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com or 719-559-0695 or leave a message if no answer.

Brothers bonded, old friendships renewed, and new friendships formed – the love was felt and heartwarming memories were made at the 33rd Annual Reunion of the 11th ACVVC which was held September 5-9 in Grand Rapids, Michigan!

As you moved through the reunion hotel, laughter and smiles were evident. It was a celebration yet there were times of sadness, and tears of remembrance and farewells for those brothers who weren’t able to be there, those who passed on to Fiddlers Green.

So many things to tell you, so many people to thank, not enough room here for all but let’s begin the news of the Blackhorse Women’s activities.

Luncheon and Tour: First of all, thank you to all who attended Friday afternoon’s luncheon and tour! As you know, this is not a profit-making event. It’s simply something fun to do as a group whenever the reunion is in a city where there is something affordable for us to do together.

We filled two large buses to capacity with 112 people for this event. The luncheon tour was held at the world renowned Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Ranked in the top 100 most-visited art museums worldwide, everyone had smiles on their faces and the many comments I heard from our group then and for the remainder of the reunion was that the 158-acre main campus did indeed have something for everyone, both indoors and out.

Less Business, More Fun as Promised: Thank you to those of you who attended the Saturday morning Women’s Meeting. We began with the business portion of the meeting.

As discussed at the San Antonio meeting, the women’s board (Renee Majors, Sheryl Myers, Marguerite Austin, Cherry Platt, Jan Beamon, Cathi Bowers and myself) came through with our promise to skim down the business portion of the meeting. We hope you heard enough of our organization’s efforts and fundraising purposes.

After our business meeting we moved on to the fun of making Blackhorse bracelets! I’m excited to report that 146 women were in attendance to make the silver, red and crystal beaded bracelets!

A special thank you to all of you who joined us! It was heartwarming to see everyone working together, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. It was also wonderful to watch everyone help each other, especially those who also helped women who were unable to do this activity on their own.

Lastly, a super thank you goes out to board member Cherry Platt, who donated all of the beads and materials need to make the bracelets! That’s material for more than 150 bracelets! Cherry, you are a gem!

Next Year Las Vegas 2019: While we’ve come a long way in the past five years, we are still a work in progress. One of the tasks we spoke about but haven’t yet begun is creating a short newsletter to email in between the Thunder Run publications.

We had planned to get it started last year and it got to the wayside. It’s still on our list and we have a volunteer to help us with that. Hopefully she will still do it for us. Laurie, we’ll be in touch.

Women, if you have a new email address in the past year, or never gave us your email address, please send it to me at the information below. Then we can get you on an email list for the future newsletter.

If you have any ideas for the board to consider, please share it by emailing it to any of the Women’s Board (addresses found on www.11thcavnam.com). Follow links under Messages/Blackhorse Women’s News. It’s easier for us to check ideas out before the annual reunions and then present those to the membership that are do-able.

Please understand that while you may have a great idea to present, not all ideas are financially feasible for a group of women like ours from all 50 states. I wish we all had blank checks for our ideas, but everyone has different financial situations and we need to think of the group as a whole.

For the 34th annual reunion that will be held in 2019 at Las Vegas, we are working on locating a speaker for our Saturday morning Women’s Meeting. We have a couple speakers in mind, so watch for that update next spring.

Our Main Projects, ‘Why We Fundraise: We fundraise by offering lanyards for a small suggested donation; occasionally we may offer a second item. The funds are never used for our women’s group enjoyment. They aren’t used for luncheons or coffee for the meetings.

We presently have two very important projects that we raise funds for: The Prayer Shawl Project and Wreaths Across America. We are looking into the validity of another project and that information will be forthcoming at a later date.

Prayer Shawl Project: Chaired by board member Cherry Platt, more than 400 prayer shawls have been mailed to family/spouses of 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia since the project began in the fall of 2011.

Cherry often hears requests from friends of a Blackhorse veteran who died before the fall of 2011. Please understand that each Blackhorse death is important to honor. However, we are unable to go back and send a prayer shawl for those countless Troopers who died before the Women’s Project began.

The process for a Prayer Shawl begins with notification of a death to the 11th ACVVC organization. Once the organization is notified, President Pete Walter notifies Cherry of the loss that has a surviving significant other. We verify losses with an obituary as well. However, some veterans are alone without family and we have no one to send a shawl to.

Anyone interested in helping with project, or wants more information about it can contact Cherry by email at fredplatt@att.net or call at 770-445-7534 for information.

Wreaths Across America: Each December, the Blackhorse Women’s Group donates raised funds for the annual Wreaths Across America project that places wreaths at cemeteries. Because we all reside in locations nationwide, we chose to begin with the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

We donate funds for 21 wreaths. You may wonder why 21? This number is representative of the 21 Blackhorse Troopers who were Killed in Action in Vietnam and Cambodia, who are buried at Arlington. While we can’t specify graves to receive a wreath, thousands of wreaths are laid at Arlington and we know our 21 will honor a military death.

While we can’t furnish wreaths for each of the 730 Blackhorse Troopers Killed in Action in Vietnam/Cambodia who have been laid to rest across our nation, we are looking at a way to do more.

We now have funds that enable us to add additional wreaths for more of the 730 KIA Blackhorse Troopers. We are reaching out to you for help in this.

It’s a fact that not all 730 KIA are buried in national cemeteries. While some are, others are in family cemeteries, or hometown/home state cemeteries. Our hope is to eventually lay a wreath on each grave perhaps in a rotation each year.

If you are a family member of a 11th Armored Cavalry Trooper killed in Vietnam/Cambodia, or an 11th ACVVC trooper that lives near one of the 730 KIA, please contact me a the email below to discuss what we can do for that Trooper’s grave.

I also have a list of where each KIA grave is located by cemetery and state. This information is also located on the 11thACVVC website (11thcavnam.com) under Fiddler’s Green. For those not computer friendly, I have this list scanned and would be happy to email a copy of it to you. Contact me at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com or by phone 701-870-6868 and leave a message if no answer.

Last But Not Least: Now I come to the end of my long article, and also to the end of my run as co-coordinator of the Blackhorse Women’s Group.

After five years as coordinator, it’s time for me to pass the hat on to someone else. New blood is always good for a volunteer group. Renee Majors, who assisted me as co-coordinator, agreed to step down with me so a new team can begin.

Renee will continue as a voting board member in the position of secretary. I was planning to be out totally, but I was encouraged to continue as fundraising coordinator, and I agreed due to my years of experience.

My news was unexpected news to the great board of women I work with and others, but it was time. When the Women’s Group began to reorganize after the 2013 reunion, I agreed to the position as long as we did it as a board and for a short time.

That time turned into five years. We created a great board that worked together with one purpose and that's the motto of the Blackhorse Women’s Group – "We are family, friends and supporters who stand with the 11th Armored Cavalry's Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia." When possible, we offer a little diversion to you while your Trooper enjoys additional time with his brothers in arms.

With the six other wonderful board members who have become family, the Women’s Group began to grow and continues to do so because of you, Blackhorse family and friends. I love you my friends!

Please welcome Sheryl Myers (Gary Myers, L Troop) and her teammate Lajaunda Williams (Harry Williams, L Troop) as your new coordinators. Sheryl can be reached at sheryl.e.myers@gmail.com and I know this team and board will continue to do a great job for you.

It’s that time again; time to look ahead to the 33rd annual 11th ACVVC Reunion that will be held September 5-9 at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

While the men’s board has been busy these past many months planning this great reunion in one of the nation’s northern states, the Women’s Group has been busy planning for you.

This means we’ve been busy planning another exciting luncheon and tour while we’re at Grand Rapids.

The event is scheduled for Friday, September 7 at 12 noon when we begin boarding buses that will take us to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

The park is one of the nation’s most significant sculpture and botanic experiences. Ranked in the top 100 most-visited art museums worldwide, there’s something for everyone, both indoors and out. To name a few, the park includes Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory; five indoor themed gardens; outdoor gardens, nature trails by foot or by tram, and boardwalk; sculpture galleries and a permanent sculpture collection. There’s also a library filled with nature and gardening books, and gift shop. The café is a work of art itself with its décor of blown glass art created by world famous American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. His art is on exhibit around the world and we saw some of it at Columbus, Georgia. It’s also in Las Vegas at several locations.

The Meijer Gardens 158-acre main campus is barrier free and handicap accessible. Since it opened in 1995 after 13 years of planning, Meijer Gardens has attracted more than 10 million visitors.

As if that isn’t enough on its own, I’ve been told by Grand Rapids residents that the Gardens café is a destination on its own, so our tour includes lunch on location in one of their group rooms.

As a group we will be served a Craft Box Lunch that will have your preselected choice between three options, including one that is Gluten Free. The choices are detailed on the Women’s Group Tour and Luncheon registration form you’ll find in this Thunder Run. Your lunch also includes chips, a chef’s choice cookie or brownie, and a choice of canned soda.

As with our other Women’s Group events, you will pay the actual cost of this event, which is $41. Remember this includes transportation, tour and luncheon.

We received a group price so note that you must preregister and prepay with us in advance to hold your place.

Please locate the Women’s Luncheon and Tour Registration form in this Thunder Run, copy or clip it, fill it out completely including your email address, mark your lunch selection, and mail with your check or money order to the address on that form

The Women’s Group annual meeting will be Saturday, September 8, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. We hope to see you there! We, your board, have reorganized our meeting to make the business portion of it shorter so we can move on to fun things to do or just get to know one another.

This year back on the agenda is our Blackhorse bracelet making session that was on hold thanks to Hurricane Irma who was in uninvited attendance at Orlando. But we’re back on track for Grand Rapids. Remember, this will be done at our Saturday morning Women’s Meeting.

Board member Cherry Platt will be teaching us how to do this. Board members and others have volunteered to help her teach us how to make these amazing red, black and silver beaded Blackhorse bracelets!

Cherry assures me these bracelets are easy to make, taking about a half-hour or so. We’ll be working on these together in groups so we can help each other out. I look forward to the time that will allow us to get to know each other better.

Cherry has already purchased beads and supplies to make kits for 150 people. If you are a beader, think about joining us and helping those who have never beaded before. I’m sure Cherry would appreciate the extra helpers. God bless her, she things she can teach the rest of us board members one night in the Bunker. We’re willing and able … you can let her know at Saturday’s meeting if you are willing.

We should have enough, but just in case … if you know you’ll be joining us to make a bracelet, just in case we have more people come than we have bracelet kits, would you do me a favor and drop me a quick line or simple email and let me know? My information is below. Just send me your name/names if you are planning to join in.

It would be a great help and we can make sure Cherry has more than enough kits so everyone leaves with a bracelet. My contact information is at the end of this article.

Women, family members: if you need further information on our upcoming plans, I can be reached by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com or by phone at 701-870-6868. Mailing address is 3818 Lone Peak Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503.

Also, be sure to check out the Blackhorse Women’s webpage site by going to www.11thcavnam.com and locate the large Messages Box in the middle of the page and click. On the next page click on the Blackhorse Women’s News tab in the white box near the bottom.

Find and “Like” us on Facebook by searching Blackhorse (11th ACVVC) Women.

It’s that time again; time to look ahead to the 33rd annual 11th ACVVC Reunion that will be held September 5-9 at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

While the men’s board has been busy these past many months planning this great reunion in one of the nation’s northern states, the Women’s Group has been busy planning for you.

This means we’ve been busy planning another exciting luncheon and tour while we’re at Grand Rapids.

The event is scheduled for Friday, September 7 at 12 noon when we begin boarding buses that will take us to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

The Meijer Gardens 158-acre main campus is barrier free and handicap accessible. Since it opened in 1995 after 13 years of planning, Meijer Gardens has attracted more than 10 million visitors.

As with our other Women’s Group events, you will pay the actual cost of this event, which is $41. Remember this includes transportation, tour and luncheon.

We received a group price so note that you must preregister and prepay with us in advance to hold your place.

Board member Cherry Platt will be teaching us how to do this. Board members, and others have volunteered to help her teach us how to make these amazing red, black and silver beaded Blackhorse bracelets!

It would be a great help and we can make sure Cherry has more than enough kits so everyone leaves with a bracelet. My contact information is at the end of this article.

Find and “Like” us on Facebook by searching Blackhorse (11th ACVVC) Women.

As I write this from my North Dakota home office, I can hear the wind howling from the west, snow and sleet hitting the window panes. Glancing at my thermometer, it’s a bitterly cold -21 degrees below zero and it’s not supposed to snow at these temps but it is!

Still I welcome 2018 and wish you and yours the best as you look ahead into the New Year!

That brings me to the 33rd Annual Reunion of the 11th ACVVC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, set for September 5-9. As you can read in this issue, the men’s organization has a wonderful reunion planned for our veterans, family and friends! Bring it on!

The Blackhorse Women’s Group is firming up details and locking in plans and reservations for a wonderful fun-filled activity that will be held Friday, September 7. Our activity includes a couple interesting tours by bus, ground tram, and luncheon.

Full details and registration and payment information for the Women’s Group activity will be announced in the next issue of the Thunder Run. Between now and then, it will also be available by email direct to you. If you haven’t already given the Blackhorse Women’s Group your email, please email it to me at my email address below. Then I can include you in an announcement email as soon as we have the confirmed info!

Following are several items of discussion that were tabled from the Orlando Women’s Meeting due to weather issues. These include lanyards, rescheduled Blackhorse bracelet making plans, Wreaths Across America, and the previously mentioned tour and luncheon plans, and Sarah’s Angels.

Due to Hurricane Irma, for the first time ever the Blackhorse Women have 40 Orlando Reunion 2017 lanyards available. This is our annual fundraiser. Our raised funds are used for several worthy causes, including the Prayer Shawl Project, which provides a prayer shawl to a family when a Trooper passes.

We also use funds for Wreaths Across America. We donated 21 wreaths for Arlington National Cemetery again this year. The number 21 is representative of the 21 Blackhorse Troopers who were Killed In Action in Vietnam and are buried at Arlington.

We will discuss adding more wreaths at other locations during our 2018 Women’s Meeting at Grand Rapids.

For those of you who are collectors of the reunion site-specific lanyards, and for those who support the Women’s Group each year, we are offering them to you by mail. Buy one or more at a cost of $6 each including shipping.

Please email me for payment information and how to get one. There are only 40 so please contact me as soon as possible.

The Blackhorse bracelet-making plans were rescheduled for Grand Rapids. It will be a fun activity for the Saturday morning meeting taught by board member Cherry Platt. All supplies will be furnished. Cherry has enough for approximately 150 bracelets so please plan to come to our meeting!

Two years ago our group started Sarah’s Angels. It’s a time that we stop to recognize the loss of 11th ACVVC women/spouses/significant others who have passed from this earth. It’s a way for us to honor and remember those who have supported their trooper.

At the Women’s Saturday morning meeting each year we will read the names of those lost. We can only add a name to the list if we are made aware of the loss. That’s where we need your help. We ask that you notify us if you hear of the loss of an 11th ACVVC Blackhorse women/spouse/significant other.

To notify us, please contact Prayer Chairperson, Jan Beamon, with information of a loss. She will need the name, husband’s name and troop, date of death, and address. All losses need to be verified so if you have a link to an obituary (or one that can be mailed or emailed) that would also be appreciated.

At Grand Rapids we will read the names given to us the past two years as well as those we receive this year until the reunion.

You can contact Jan by email at janwowwe@gmail.com or by calling her at 903-780-5621.

You can also contact me, Kathy Tandberg, for this or anytime I can be of help or answer questions. I can be reached at 701-870-6868, or by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com or by mail at 3818 Lone Peak Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503, or any other Women’s Group Board member.

Contact information for all Women’s Board Members can be found on the men’s website at http: www.11thcavnam.com and then go to the area marked “Messages” in the middle of the home page. Click on “Messages.” That will take you to the next page where you can click on Blackhorse Women’s News, then click on Women’s Board Members for contact information.

As Ringling Brothers would say, “The show must go on.” And so the 32nd annual reunion of the 11th ACVVC held the first week of September at Orlando, Florida, did indeed go on, regardless of an appearance of Hurricane Irma.

Blackhorse reunions are always filled with memories of those days gone by, and new memories and stories that come out each reunion. Add in interloper Hurricane Irma, and the Orlando reunion will certainly be one to be remembered by those who were able to attend. I know there will stories abound for the next couple reunions!

While attendance was a little lower due to Irma, gatherings around reunion quarters continued, as did Saturday morning meetings and memorials, and of course the banquet.

Now this is where I usually share what occurred and was decided upon at the annual Women’s Group meeting: who was there, what we did together, decisions we made together at the Saturday morning Women’s Group meeting, and what we have up our sleeve for the next reunion.

However, this year I was among four of our board members unable to attend thanks to Irma. The show did go on as the annual Women’s Group meeting was held with three board members: Marguerite, Jan and Cathi, and 33 women in attendance. The meeting was short, but also a wonderful time for those there to get to know one another better.

We are happy to announce the selection of Blackhorse Women’s Group member, Zilda Ritchie, as the recipient of the 2017 Women’s Award for Exceptional Service to the 11th ACVVC. Zilda, who has an extensive financial background, and business with her husband, Kenron, (K Trp, 68-69) graciously audited the Blackhorse Women’s Group books. We appreciate the valuable assistance she has provided the group.

The remainder of our well-planned Saturday morning meeting was scrapped until next year, including the bracelet-making activity because Cherry, our prayer shawl chairperson, was also our bracelet chairperson for that activity. Cherry had driven south to the reunion from her Atlanta home. When the hurricane forecast began to include Atlanta, she stayed a couple days and then turned north for home. Her drive north was filled with bumper-to-bumper traffic and became 15 hours instead of the seven hours it took her to drive down.

During the business meeting, the group had a short visit from Richard (Rick) Belcher, who presented us with a memorial gift of $500 in memory of his wife, Sarah, who passed away last year. We thank you Rick, for this kind gift. Sarah, a Women’s Group volunteer, became the inspiration and the namesake for Sarah’s Angels. Through Sarah’s Angels, each year at the Blackhorse Women’s Group annual meeting we will read the names of any Blackhorse 11th ACVVC women/spouses/significant others who have passed from this earth. It’s a way for us to honor and remember those who have supported their trooper all these many years. We can only add a name to those that will be read each year if we are made aware of the loss. That is where we need your help. We ask that you notify us if you hear of the loss of an 11th ACVVC Blackhorse women/spouse/significant other. You can notify us in a couple ways. Contact Prayer Chairperson, Jan Beamon, with information of a loss. She will need name, husband’s name and troop, date of death, and address. All losses need to be verified so if you have a link to an obituary (or one that can be mailed or emailed) that would also be appreciated.

Contact Jan by email at janwowwe@gmail.com or email at 903-780-5621. Or you can contact me, Kathy Tandberg, at 701-870-6868, or by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com or by mail at 3818 Lone Peak Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503, or any other Women’s Group Board member.

As I mentioned, the bracelet-making activity was postponed. I apologize to those of you who were there, but we will do it next year at the 33rd annual reunion to be held at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In the next issue of the Thunder Run I will announce our women’s group plans for 2018. We are in the process of firming up details for a women’s luncheon/tour. Stay tuned for details and get ready to sign up.

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Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. The 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia fought to make a difference. Then they came home to discover that not everyone understood them or even agreed with their efforts. They didn’t come home to cheering crowds and ticker tape parades. They came home instead to jeers, protesters and name calling. At home again, many found that they had no one to talk with about what they had done as soldiers. No one wanted to hear it.

Then one day many years ago, a group of Blackhorse veterans met by chance at the Wall in Washington, D.C. Those few became more each year as they realized how good it felt to be together again, if but once a year. Something great was born from these few who have since become many. These men will gather once again for the 32nd annual 11th ACVVC Reunion, September 6-10, this time at Orlando, Florida, now just a few weeks away.

There won’t be a ticker tape parade in their honor, but after all these years, they have something better than that – they have one another. And, those who come will know they did indeed make a difference so many years ago.

I’m often asked, “What is the Blackhorse Women’s Group?” Simply said, we are spouses, significant others, family and friends of the 11th ACVVC. We gather in support of our Troopers, honored to share in their reunion celebration. We fundraise and use those funds to purchase memorial wreaths from Wreaths Across America, an organization that places wreaths at National Cemeteries across our nation.

We have in the past also donated funds for the men’s group causes, such as the scholarship fund. We have also assisted the spouse/significant other/caretaker with reunion funds when accompanying a Trooper.

In the past recent years we have built our treasury again. At our annual meeting held Saturday morning of the reunion, we will be discussing a couple more ways to use these funds. We invite all family and friends to join us to hear about this and other topics when we meet.

Saturday Morning Meeting Plans, 9 a.m. September 9: This year our Saturday morning meeting plans include a shorter business meeting and a discussion of our funds. We will also discuss plans in the making for a Women’s Group outing and luncheon for the 2018 reunion at Grand Rapids, Michigan. We will announce details at our meeting.

Next, board member Cherry Platt will be teaching us how to make great red, black and silver beaded Blackhorse bracelets. Cherry said these bracelets are easy to make, taking about a half hour or so. We’ll be working on them together as a group so we can help one another and enjoy time getting to know each other better.

Cherry has already been purchased beads and supplies to make kits for 150 people. If you are a beader, think about joining us and helping those who have never beaded before. I’m sure Cherry would appreciate the extra helpers. You can let her know at Saturday’s meeting if you are willing.

Volunteers: We will be offering Orlando reunion lanyards (to hang the reunion ID around the neck). Look for our table in the Quartermaster room. We will be there the same hours as the Quartermaster. The lanyards sell out quickly so please be sure to get yours early.

We always need volunteers, sometimes a few, sometimes many. We are calling upon volunteers to take shifts at our fundraising table, both at Orlando and in Michigan. Shifts are not long and the more we can get to take a turn, the more everyone can enjoy the reunion. If you have already contacted me to help, watch for an email in July about shifts at lanyard table. Please let me know if you would like to be placed on our volunteer list. We will especially need volunteers in Grand Rapids for other assistance.

Blackhorse Women Losses: This will be the first full year that we will be honoring Sarah’s Angels, recognizing the loss of Blackhorse spouses and significant others.

If you know of the loss of a Blackhorse woman who has passed since January 2015, whether she attended our meetings or not, we ask that you notify us. Please contact me (below) or Prayer Chair Jan Beamon with information of a loss. Jan will need her name, husband’s name and troop, date of death, and address.

All losses need to be verified so if you have a link to an obituary (or one that can be emailed) that would also be appreciated. Please contact Jan by email at janwowwe@ gmail.com or by phone at 903-780-5621, or you can contact me at kathyz.tandberg @yahoo.com or by phone

Contact information for all Women’s Board Members can be found on the men’s website at

Then go to the area marked “Messages” in the middle of the home page. Click the “Messages” link. That will take you to the next page where you can click on Blackhorse Women’s News, then click on Women’s Board Members for contact information.

I, for one, can’t believe it’s already April! That puts us five months from the 32nd Annual 11th ACVVC Reunion at Orlando, Florida, scheduled for September 6-10.

In the last Thunder Run, I announced we were in the pricing stage of a special Friday event for our women. In this issue I need to announce that those plans have had to be canceled due cost. You know what they say, location, location, location.

Unfortunately location, Orlando, which has many wonderful vacation things to do, isn’t going to work for a Friday women’s event as we hoped. We always like to bring you a good value for your money like the men’s organization does each year, but it isn’t going to work for us this year.

With so many great things to do in the area I know you will find something else great out of the many options available to do Friday with family and friends.

Our women’s board has discussed it and since we had already planned to enhance our usual Saturday morning annual meeting, we’re going to make sure it’s better than ever!

Saturday Morning Meeting Plans, 9 a.m. Our Saturday morning meeting plans include a shortened business meeting and then we’re moving on to something fun.
Cherry Platt, board member, has volunteered to teach us how to make amazing red, black and silver beaded Blackhorse bracelets!

Cherry assures us these bracelets are easy to make, taking about a half-hour or so. We’ll be working on them together as a group so we can help one another out and enjoy time getting to know each other better.

Cherry has already purchased beads and supplies to make kits for 150 people. If you are a beader, think about joining us and helping those who have never beaded before. I’m sure Cherry would appreciate the extra helpers. You can let her know at Saturday’s meeting if you are willing.

But here’s what I need from you because this is our only women’s special event at Orlando:

Preregistration is not needed to attend our meeting or participate in making a bracelet. However, just in case we have more people come than we have bracelet kits, would you do me a favor? Please send me your name and names of participating family if you are planning to join our meeting?

If you would send me an email, or mail a note to me or call me, it will be a great help and I can make sure Cherry has more than enough kits so everyone leaves with a bracelet. What I need are your names with Troop info. I have a new address now so here it is:

Facebook: We have now added a note on our Facebook Women’s page about troopers who pass on to Fiddlers Green. The Women’s Facebook page can be found under "Blackhorse (11thACVVC) Women". If you haven’t already, please go to our page and “LIKE” us.

Volunteers: We always need volunteers. Sometimes a few, sometimes many and we are calling upon volunteers to take shifts at our fundraising table, both at Orlando in 2017 and in Michigan in 2018. Shifts are not long and the more we can get to take a turn, the more everyone can enjoy the reunion. Please let me know if you would like to be placed on our volunteer list.

Blackhorse Women Losses: Sometimes it takes the unexpected to remind us of life and all we hold dear. We have begun to recognize the loss of Blackhorse Women as Sarah’s Angels, in honor of one of our faithful volunteers.

If you know of the loss of a Blackhorse woman who has passed since January 2015, whether she attended our meetings or not, we ask that you notify us. Please contact me (above) or Prayer Chair Jan Beamon with information of a loss. Jan will need her name, husband’s name and troop, date of death, and address.

All losses need to be verified so if you have a link to an obituary (or one that can be emailed) that would also be appreciated. Contact Jan by email at janwowwe@gmail.com or by phone at 903-780-5621. Or you can contact me or any other Women’s Group Board member.

Contact information for Women’s Board Members can be found on the men’s website at http: www.11thcavnam.com and then go to the area marked “Messages” in the middle of the home page. Click the “Messages” link. That will take you to the next page where you can click on Blackhorse Women’s News, then click on Women’s Board Members for contact information.

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Happy New Year 2017! The New Year gives us something to look forward to: The 32nd Annual 11th ACVVC Reunion at Orlando, Florida, scheduled for September 6-10. This reunion promises to be another great time of brotherhood, friendship and family.

If you are a family member – spouse, significant other, son, daughter, grandchild, family member or friend – who has never attended a reunion, you are missing an experience so special there aren’t words to express it.

If your trooper has not yet attended a reunion, please encourage him or her to do so. He will come home with another family in his heart because that’s what the 11th ACVVC is, a wonderful family.

Orlando Plans: Looking ahead to Orlando, Blackhorse Women will have something to look forward to as well. At this time the Women’s Group is working on an idea presented to us by those who attended our meeting at San Antonio last August.

We’re presently in the planning and pricing stages of a possible event for Blackhorse women who attend the 2018 reunion at Orlando, Florida.

I’ll have further details on the event and its registration for it in the next Thunder Run, so please stay tuned.

Another idea that came from the San Antonio women’s meeting is a fun activity that’s already planned for our Saturday morning Orlando meeting! Cherry Platt, one of our board members, has volunteered to teach us how to make gorgeous red, black and silver beaded Blackhorse bracelets!

Cherry assures us these bracelets are easy to make, taking about a half-hour or so. Of course, if you have fumble fingers like me when it comes to crafty things, it might take a little longer. However, we’ll have the time and we’ll be working on these together as a group and help one another out! Cherry has already been purchased the needed supplies on sale.

Fundraising: Looking ahead, we will once again offer our site-specific lanyards as our fundraising project. Our fundraising chair, Renee Majors, said we won’t offer an additional fundraising item at Orlando because it is a vacation wonderland with so much to offer. Renee added that we will, however, be offering another item at the 2019 reunion in Michigan.

Our Causes: Presently, the Blackhorse Women’s Group fundraises for two very worthy causes: The Prayer Shawl Project and Wreaths Across America. Funds raised assist with materials and postage for the prayer shawls, and to make a donation for wreaths for graves at Arlington National Cemetery each Christmas.

Cherry Platt, Prayer Shawl Project chair, sees that a prayer shawl or sometimes a lap robe is sent to the family of 11th ACVVC troopers who have passed on to Fiddlers Green “IF” we are made aware of the loss. I say if, because if no one notifies the 11th ACVVC of the loss of a trooper, the Women’s Group is also unaware.

So please remember to pass this information along to the organization. Special thanks to Allen Hathaway for being Cherry’s contact for this information. Sadly the number of loss continues to grow, and so does the need for prayer shawls. Cherry has more than 20 ladies who volunteer their time to help with this.

“My thanks to all who have made these wonderful shawls. You have brought love and comfort to many,” Cherry said.

Prayer shawls are made at the home of those who volunteer to make them so if you live across the country from Cherry, you can still help. If anyone would like to volunteer for this or wants further information about the project, please contact Cherry by email at fredplatt@att.net or call her at 770-445-7534. You can also contact me or any Blackhorse Women’s Group board member.

At the Orlando reunion I’ll be sharing information about possibly adding another worthy cause to share our funds with. More on that later.

Volunteers: We will be calling upon volunteers to take shifts at our fundraising table, both at Orlando and in Michigan. Shifts are not long and the more we can get to take a turn, the more everyone can enjoy the reunion. The prayer shawl and wreath projects make a difference in the world of others, a simple reminder that volunteers are important to a group like ours.

Newsletter: Speaking of volunteers, our newest volunteer, Laurie Allen, will be helping us put together a short newsletter that will be emailed to women who have given us their email address. We are excited that Laurie has offered her knowledge and time to this endeavor.

The newsletter will have little updates as available, throughout the year as needed. By the way, the idea of an occasion newsletter in between Thunder Run articles came from a woman who has faithfully attended our annual women’s meetings for several years. It was an idea I had tossed around for a while in my head but this woman was the fuel to get it off to a start. I thank her for spurring the idea forward (you know who you are)!

We are using email, at least to begin with because postage is expensive. The Blackhorse Women’s Group has email addresses of those who have given them to us at our women’s meetings. However, if you have never given us your email and would like to be included on the newsletter list, please mail or email them to me at my email address below or in the Thunder Run on the contact page.

If you do not use email, perhaps you have a family member who would gladly allow you use their email address and print it for you. If the newsletter is a success, we may be able to look into mailing to those who have no access to email. But that is in the future for now.

Blackhorse Women Losses: Sometimes it takes the unexpected to remind us of life and all we hold dear. Last year the Blackhorse Women’s Group received sad news when we were told of the passing of a faithful volunteer, Sarah Belcher. At that time we realized that we need to begin to recognize the loss of Blackhorse Women.

To rectify this, we begin by officially honoring Sarah’s memory in our group, her smile, her caring and her endless requests to ask what else she could do for us as a volunteer. We will do so by honoring her name, the Blackhorse woman who brought us to this realization. The first on the list of women who will go on a list of honor that will this day forward will be known as Sarah’s Angels.

Sadly we know others will follow Sarah on that list. We have two names already. Beginning at the Orlando Women’s Meeting we will take a few moments for a prayer lead by Prayer Chair Jan Beamon. Jan will also read the names of those women who have passed beginning with January 2015 and forward. (Sorry, it would be too difficult to go back further than 2015.)

If you know of a Blackhorse woman who has passed since January 2015, whather she attended our meetings or not, we ask that you notify us. Please contact Prayer Chair Jan Beamon with information of a loss. Jan will need her name, husband’s name and troop, date of death, and address. All losses need to be verified so if you have a link to an obituary (or one that can be emailed) that would also be appreciated. Contact Jan by email at janwowwe@gmail.com or by phone at 903-780-5621. Or you can contact me or any other Women’s Group Board member.

Contact information for Women’s Board Members can be found on the men’s website at http: www.11thcavnam.com and then go to the area marked “Messages” in the middle of the home page. Click on “Messages.” That will take you to the next page where you can click on Blackhorse Women’s News, then click on Women’s Board Members for contact information.

Audit of Account: Treasurer Marguerite Austin reports that the health of the Blackhorse Women’s account is in good standing, as audited by Zilda Ritchie, (wife of Kenron Ritchie, K Troop) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We truly appreciate Zilda’s time and thank her for sharing her extensive financial knowledge with us. We have very few transactions each year, but having our books audited is important for the health of any organization. We will continue to do so every two years.

Should you have any questions or need to contact me for any reason, please do so anytime at 701-870-6868, leave a message if no answer, or by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com.

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More fun, less business next year

What a fantastic 31st reunion we had at San Antonio! If you weren’t able to make it, we look forward to seeing you next year when we gather at Orlando, Florida!

A huge thank you to those who attended the San Antonio Fiesta Luncheon at the Rio Rio Cantina! One thing we learned at the luncheon is that next year we’ll have a portable microphone on hand! But all in all, the comments about the luncheon were all great, so thank you again for coming!

Another thank you to those who were able to attend the Women’s Meeting that brought record attendance of 128 women! It was a busy morning filled with business, a wonderful speaker in Chaplain Larry Haworth, and a round of ideas for future meetings. I’ll begin with one big change for next year:

Less Business, More Fun: I placed this subject at the top of the article with good reason. As you may recall, when we began reorganizing the Women’s Group three years ago we asked you to bear with us through trial and error. And you have!

When reorganizing anything, it takes a couple rounds to get things tweaked right. All we can do is listen and tweak in effort to give you what you want. You have been great as we work on our transition and we thank you!

As a board we do listen to you, our members, and to each other as a board. This said, the next step we have come to after getting everything else in order is to streamline the business portion of our annual women’s meeting.

In other words, next year we will be shortening the business portion of the meeting. We’ll get the business you need to know out quickly and then it will be on to interesting – when we have a speaker – and some fun.

By streamlining the business portion we’ll have time for other things: 1.) Give us more time to get to know one another better; 2.) Give us time for a needed break; 3.) Have a fun activity; and 4.) From time to time end our meeting a little earlier. We hope you’re onboard with us to see what the future will bring!

Speaking Of: As decided by YOU at our San Antonio meeting, we already have a fun activity planned for our Saturday morning Orlando meeting! Cherry Platt, one of our board members, has volunteered to teach us how to make red, black and silver beaded Blackhorse bracelets she loves to make!

Cherry said these classy bracelets are easy to make, taking about a half-hour or so. Of course, if you have fumble fingers like me when it comes to crafty things, it might take a little longer. However, we’ll have the time and we’ll be working on these together and help one another out! Cherry has already been busy finding the needed supplies on sale. More details to come!

On that note, a special thank you also goes out to Cherry and Jan Beamon for the wonderful door prizes they donated for our meeting and also for the luncheon! Wow, how great were those! I wish we had more for everyone but we were grateful to have those donated to us! But that’s one reason we are going to create those wonderful bracelets at next year’s meeting so good came from having just a few!

Also Next Year: If you liked the San Antonio Fiesta Luncheon, you’ll like the ideas we are working on for next year. We want to continue the fun when possible and hopefully next year at Orlando for the Women’s Group.

Several ideas were presented by those in attendance, including some from members who live in the Orlando area. With the reunion so close to Disney World, it was mentioned that going out of the reunion hotel might be too costly for a fun event.

However, great ideas came from the women in attendance, including members who live in the Orlando area. Ideas that we can do right there at the hotel! We will be following up on those. Stay tuned to the next Thunder Run to see what’s developed along those lines.

Thanks Chaplain Haworth: A special thanks go out to the 11th ACVVC chaplain, Larry Haworth. Chaplain Haworth was our guest speaker at the Women’s Meeting this year, speaking on his two tours in Vietnam ministering to the troops. We appreciated his stories, his words, and his humor as he shared.

Chaplain Haworth also deserves a great thank you for his special gift to every woman who attended the meeting – his book, “Tales of Thunder Run: The convoys, the Noise, the Ambushes.” What a special gesture and blessing he extended to us!

Women’s Award: Congratulations to Renee Majors, the recipient of the 11th Armored Cavalry 2016 Women's Award, given for Exceptional Service to the 11th ACVVC.

Renee has been attending the Women’s Meetings since 1986 when the meetings were simply a gathering of a few wives who often went shopping together or watched their young children play. Renee has been a volunteer at our fundraising table since we began that endeavor in 2006.

Thanks Renee for being part of the Blackhorse 11th ACVVC Women’s Group and for helping us become a success! Renee hails from Indiana and is the wife of Bruce Majors, C Troop.

Volunteers: We’ve come a long way since that first gathering of Blackhorse Women, evolving into a group that fundraises for a couple of very worthy causes: prayer shawls and Wreaths Across America. Volunteers are important to a group like ours.

In fact, at this time we’re looking for a volunteer who knows how newsletters. We would like to make a short newsletter that can be emailed a couple times a year in between Thunder Run publications. If you have experience in this area and would be interested in helping us create this newsletter, please contact me at the information at the end of this article.

In addition, if you would like to be placed on our volunteer list to be called upon from time to time for a variety of tasks, again, please contact me at the information below.

Prayer Shawl Project: Project Chairperson Cherry Platt reported that the need for this project continues. Sadly, the number of prayer shawls has already increased since the San Antonio reunion.

This project sees that a prayer shawl is sent to the family of 11th ACVVC troopers who have passed on to Fiddlers Green “if” we are made aware of the loss. As our numbers of loss continues to grow, so does the need for prayer shawls. Special thanks to Allen Hathaway for being Cherry’s contact for this information.

Cherry has said that more women have joined this worthy cause, joining those who knit or croquet at home, but more volunteers are needed all the time. Anyone would like to join the prayer shawl project can contact Cherry by email at fredplatt@att.net and she will get back to you.

Recognizing Blackhorse Women Losses: The Blackhorse Women’s Group received sad news last January when we were told of the passing of a faithful volunteer, Sarah Belcher.

This brought to our attention that we need to recognize the loss of Blackhorse Women. To rectify this, beginning at the Orlando reunion, we will take a few moments at our meeting for a prayer and read the names of those women who have passed beginning with January 2015 forward. (Sorry, it would be too difficult to go back further than 2015.)

We ask that you notify us if you hear of such a loss. Please contact Prayer Chairperson Jan Beamon with information of a loss. She will need name, husband’s name and troop, date of death, and address. All losses need to be verified so if you have a link to an obituary (or one that can be emailed) that would also be appreciated. Contact Jan by email at janwowwe@gmail.com or by email at 903-780-5621. Or you can contact me or any other Women’s Group Board member.

You can also contact me. Kathy anytime at 701-870-6868, leave a message if no answer, or by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com.

Until next time!

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Good news ladies! The deadline to sign-up for the Blackhorse Women’s Group San Antonio Fiesta Luncheon has been extended to August 11! If you forgot to send yours in, you can still guarantee your seat at the table by getting it in the mail as soon as possible. Details below.

As requested at last year’s reunion, we have a fun luncheon planned for you – a San Antonio Style Fiesta Luncheon from 12:15 - 2:15 p.m., Friday, August 26 at the Rio Rio Cantina. Price of Luncheon is $25 per person, including taxes and tip. The venue has worked with us on a menu that will please any palate. Because a couple of women have said they didn’t sign up because they don’t eat this type of food, the venue has graciously added a fourth choice – Chicken Fingers.

#2. Enchiladas de la Casa: Cheese Enchiladas topped with a Mild Chile Sauce, Served with Spanish Rice, Rio-Rio Beans (This is a nice choice for Vegetarians.)

#3. Gluten Free option, a gluten free fajitas may be served depending on numbers; regardless there will be a nice gluten-free meal available

Dessert- Served Family Style

Cinnamon Churros

We have a fun event planned in addition to great food so we hope you will join us for an early afternoon of fun, food and good conversation! Ladies, do you have guests attending the reunion with you? Bring them along to the luncheon. Simply register them for the luncheon along with yourself. The Rio Rio Cantina is located along the River Walk at 421 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, within a 5 to 8-minute walk from the reunion hotel, the Grand Hyatt Riverwalk. It’s a walking location because transportation costs as a group in the city would cost us out. However, if walking isn’t an option, individuals are welcome to find their own transportation to the venue. Your own hotel will be able to give you directions from your location. Please note that Pre-payment and Pre-registration are required to attend the Women’s Luncheon so the venue has an advance head count. Please use the Registration form that is included with this issue of the Thunder Run. A firm deadline of August 11 is set to guarantee this price without increase from the venue.

The Women’s Group Annual Meeting will be held from 9 a.m. - 12 noon Saturday, August 27. The room location will be announced in your reunion schedule. If you have not yet attended a meeting, please join us. You will be pleasantly surprised! We have a fun and interesting meeting each year. After we take care of a little annual business, we will have a speaker, share announcements and then open the floor to hear what you, the Blackhorse Family, would like to share. One of the items on our agenda, for instance, will be to set up a PTSD Committee, following up on our wonderful guest speaker last year. Bring your ideas, your thoughts, yourself and guests. Please!

The Blackhorse Women’s Group board members look forward to presenting another guest speaker at our Saturday morning meeting. He is someone most of you know if you have attended previous reunions. Chaplain Larry Haworth (HHT 2/11, 69-70), Chaplain of the 11^th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia, will be speaking to us about his experiences while ministering to our troops in Vietnam. In addition, Chaplain Haworth, who has authored a book on his experiences, will be available for a book signing.

Our prayer shawl chairperson, Cherry Platt, once again has shared with me the praises of the support that comes from our 11^th ACVVC members and their families. Thank you for keeping this very important, worthy project going.

Since the last reunion in August 2015, Cherry has mailed more than 45 prayer shawls to families whose Troopers have passed on to Fiddler’s Green. Sadly, that number grows each month! Cherry thanks everyone for the beautiful thank you notes sent by the many families.

The Prayer Shawl Project is one of two top projects for the Blackhorse Women’s Group. The other is our annual donation of support to Wreaths Across America. The wreaths we donate are laid on graves at Arlington National Cemetery each Christmas. Every lanyard or other fundraiser item you have made a donation for is what helps keep these important projects going. In addition, every dollar you have donated for postage has also gone a long way to helping! “Thank you to each and every one of you for your support!” Anyone can be a part of the Prayer Shawl Project whether they come to the women’s meetings or not. If you can knit or croquet and would like to help, please contact Cherry for more information by email at fredplatt@att.net or by phone at 770-445-7534.

Who reads the Blackhorse Women’s Group column? Below you’ll find some information that just may become useful at our San Antonio Fiesta Luncheon. You never know what might happen with this knowledge.

· Where can turtles often be found sunbathing along the River Walk? (On the banks of the Four Points River Walk North)

· What year did the first River Walk Beautification project begin and at what cost? (1939 for $430,000)

· Which government agency was used to construct the modern day River Walk? (The WPA- Works Progress Administration)

· In 1968, what significant event happened in San Antonio? (The Hemis Fair, World’s Fair)

Kathy can be reached by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com or by phone at 701-873-2970. At the reunion you can reach her on her cellular phone at 701-8701-6868. Be sure to check out the Blackhorse Women’s webpage site by going to www.11thcavnam.com and locating Blackhorse Women’s News tab in the white box near the bottom. Find and “Like” us on Facebook by searching Blackhorse (11^th ACVVC) Women.

Ladies, get ready for luncheon! There, the cat is out of the bag! Details to follow below! I’m excited! While it seemed so far off, it’s actually less than three months that the 11^th ACVVC Blackhorse family will gather in San Antonio, Texas, for the 31^st annual reunion of our Vietnam and Cambodia Veterans!

The Women’s Group Board has been busy planning for you. The biggest items on our agenda involves things you, the Women, have asked us for. Because the reunion is packed with many activities in addition to being located in a historic tourist location at the infamous Alamo, there was no time slot to fit in a women’s tour. However, we still have something great planned! I’ll spill the beans on what we have confirmed for Friday! Oops, I’ve already dropped a clue – beans!

Ladies, the Women’s Group invites you to attend a fun, San Antonio Style Fiesta Luncheon from 12:15 - 2:15 p.m., Friday, August 26 at the Rio Rio Cantina. Price of Luncheon is $25 per person, including taxes and tip.

The venue has worked with us on a menu that we think will please any palate. There are three options to choose from:

#2. Enchiladas de la Casa: Cheese Enchiladas topped with a Mild Chile Sauce, served with Spanish Rice, Rio-Rio Beans (This is a nice choice for Vegetarians.)

#3. Gluten Free option, a gluten free fajitas may be served depending on numbers; regardless there will be a nice gluten-free meal choice available

Dessert- Served Family Style

Cinnamon Churros

We have a fun event planned for the luncheon in addition to great food so we hope you will join us for an early afternoon of fun, food and good conversation!

The Rio Rio Cantina is located along the River Walk at 421 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, within a 5 to 8-minute walk from the reunion hotel, the Grand Hyatt Riverwalk. It’s a walking location because transportation costs as a group in the city would cost us out. However, if walking isn’t an option, individuals are welcome to find their own transportation to the venue. More details and simple directions will follow in the next Thunder Run. Please note that Pre-payment and Pre-registration is required to attend the Women’s Luncheon. Registration is limited to the first 175 women and their reunion guests. There are no refunds available. However, you may find someone to take your place and they would reimburse you, just inform us so we can change the name on your reservation. Please use the Registration form that is included with this issue of the Thunder Run. A firm deadline of July 15 is set to guarantee this price without increase from the venue.

The annual women’s meeting, set for 9 a.m. - 12 noon, Saturday, August 27, will be informative as well as fun. Our guest speaker is Chaplain Larry Haworth (HHT 2/11, 69-70), Chaplain of the 11^th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. The Chaplain will speak to us on his experiences while ministering to our troops in Vietnam. In addition, Chaplain Haworth has authored a book on his experiences and will be available following for a book signing.

In speaking with our prayer shawl chairperson, Cherry Platt, she noted how supportive 11^th ACVVC members and their families have been in keeping this very important, worthy project going. Since the last reunion, August 2015, Cherry has mailed 31 prayer shawls to those who have passed on to Fiddler’s Green. That’s 31 Troopers who have left us. Cherry receives beautiful thank you notes from many families. She recently received the sweetest letter from one recipient who said she and her daughter sat and cried when they received it in memory of their Trooper.

“They were surprised to receive it because while their trooper was a member of the 11^th ACVVC, he had not been able to attend a reunion. Reaching out to the wives is just as important as reaching out to the husbands,” Cherry said.

Cherry is right. The Prayer Shawl Project, an idea brought to the Blackhorse Women’s Group by Cherry just a few years ago, has taken the lead as the most important project our group has. It’s a way to make sure that each and every Trooper is valued and remembered. Not every Trooper felt valued when they returned home from Vietnam/Cambodia so many years ago. You are important to us! Anyone can be a part of the Prayer Shawl Project whether they come to the women’s meetings or not. If you can knit or croquet and would like to help, please contact Cherry for more information by email at fredplatt@att.net or by phone at 770-445-7534.

· Why are River Walk patrons not eaten by mosquitos? (The presence of Purple Martins)

Kathy can be reached by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com or by phone at 701-873-2970. Also, be sure to check out the Blackhorse Women’s webpage site by going to www.11thcavnam.com and locating Blackhorse Women’s News tab in the white box near the bottom. Find and “Like” us on Facebook by searching Blackhorse (11th ACVVC) Women.

Planning for San Antonio

Women’s Plans Underway

We are nearly halfway to meeting once again, this time in San Antonio, Texas, where we’ll gather for the 31^st annual reunion of the 11^th ACVVC! The past months since Georgia have been busy. This includes discussion by phone and email by the Women’s Board as we research ideas for San Antonio. It seems everyone who attended our Saturday morning meeting in Georgia enjoyed it so much that we are working on making this next reunion another big hit!.

First of all, you all enjoyed our speaker last year so we’ve been pulling ideas for a possible speaker for our annual women’s meeting set for 9 a.m. - 12 noon, Saturday, August 27. Also, as requested by a majority at our meeting last year, we are searching for an economically feasible outing of some kind for the Women’s Group. There’s so much going on that Friday that we may not be able to fit a tour in. However, if we aren’t able to plan a tour, it doesn’t mean that we can’t still plan something fun. One idea is to host another luncheon. We’re thinking a fun, San Antonio style luncheon could be great fun and that’s what we’re working on! Now we realize that not everyone may care for the Hispanic flair of cuisine, but we’re making plans for more than one option including one with a milder taste as well, so we can please everyone.

There will be fun options to go along with luncheon, so just hold onto your hats, or should I say sombreros! We’ll have more details ready for you in time for the next Thunder Run, but I won’t spill all the beans yet!

Prayer Shawls:

Our group has two top projects that we support each year. The first is our Prayer Shawl Project, in which handmade prayer shawls are mailed throughout the year to families of our Troopers who pass on to Fiddler Green. Our Prayer Shawl Chairperson Cherry Platt keeps on top of the increasing need and add her tender loving touch to the prayer shawls that are croqueted by Cherry and our many wonderful volunteers from throughout the organization. Thank you volunteers who help create the beautiful prayer shawls. Also, thank you to those who have donated to the postage fund when we “pass the hat” for it at our meetings each year. These funds are used strictly to mail the prayer shawls. Your kindness and generosity is much appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering your talents with this worthy project, or simply want to learn more about it, you can contact Cherry by email at fredplatt@att.net for more information.

Wreaths Across America:

Each year in December, the Blackhorse Women’s Group sends funds for the annual Wreaths Across America project that places wreaths at the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths Across America also places wreaths at each of the nation’s national cemeteries as well as Arlington. This year we donated funds for 21 wreaths. You may wonder why 21? This number is representative of the 21 Blackhorse Troopers who were Killed in Action in Vietnam and are buried at Arlington. While we can’t furnish wreaths for each of the 730 Blackhorse Troopers Killed In Action in Vietnam who have been laid to rest across our nation, we feel the 21 wreaths are a small token representing each of those men.

Organization President Allen Hathaway and his wife, Pam, a Women’s Group member, volunteer for this worthy project each December, helping place wreaths at Arlington.

We thank Pam who sent the following information about their endeavors at the event held December 12:

Allen and I were at Arlington National Cemetery at 8:30 a.m., in time to watch the procession of tractor trailers and escort vehicles enter the cemetery to deliver the wreaths. It is an amazing thing to watch.

We didn't see just how many trucks actually made the trip from Maine this year as most of them were already positioned inside the cemetery to distribute the wreaths, but we did hear that the organizers estimated that 240,815 wreaths were laid at Arlington today. There were an estimated 70,800 volunteers laying wreaths. I can't tell you how impressive it is to see that many people honoring our fallen heroes. We were honored to be a part of such a special occasion.

Special thanks to the Hathaways, who were able to place wreaths at the graves of 11^th ACR soldiers whose names are listed below:

John Garnett, JR, F Troop, 2/11 ACR

Richard S. Cunningham, H Company, 2/11 ACR

Don R. Sykes, E Troop, 2/11 ACR

James R. Gentile, B Troop, 1/11 ACR (WW II, Korea, Vietnam)

David J. Murray, 11th ACR, IRAQ

In addition to the 21 Vietnam KIA troopers who died in action in Vietnam, the following Blackhorse are also laid to rest at Arlington:

1 KIA in Iraq

104 other Blackhorse troopers who passed away after serving in Vietnam

42 others, who served with the 11^th Cavalry between 1901 and 1966, including the first commander Francis Moore.

Prayers go out to each and every family who has lost a Trooper then and more recently. God bless.

Did you know? If you are in the area of Arlington February 2 there will be a placing of a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in remembrance of the 115^th Anniversary of the 11^th US Cavalry.

Wow! What a reunion! Fort Benning and the city of Columbus, Georgia rolled out the red carpet for the 30th reunion of the 11th ACVVC! First of all, thanks to those of you who were able to attend the Women’ Meeting that brought record attendance of 127 including our board members! That’s just the beginning! We, your board members, will continue to work diligently to bring you interesting and fun meetings!

Women’s Award: Next I want to thank Gerri Page as the recipient of the 30th Annual 11^th Armored Cavalry 2015 Women's Award, given for Exceptional Service to the 11^th ACVVC. Volunteers mean everything to a group like ours. Gerri has been a faithful volunteer in our fundraisers! Each year when I put out the call for help to sit at our table with the lanyards and any other items we offer, Gerri is among those who take any shift that is unfilled, often multiple shifts. Thank you Gerri for being part of the Blackhorse 11^th ACVVC Women’s Group and for helping make us a success!

Women’s Goals: At the 2014 women’s in Las Vegas, we asked what you wanted from the Women’s Group. We are working on those goals.

1.) You wanted to continue to fundraise to further our worthy projects, mainly the Prayer Shawl Project at this time. And, you want to continue to donate each year to Wreaths Across America for Arlington Cemetery. We are doing that!

2.) You wanted to continue to have an occasion hands-on- project, such as another silent auction quilt in which proceeds go to the men’s causes.

We have one tentatively in the planning that we spoke about at Columbus. Stay tuned to the next Thunder Run and the women’s column, our Facebook page and the website for ideas for the next quilt project!

3.) You wanted speakers at our meetings, when possible, on worthy subjects. A tremendous thank you goes out to Dr. Candace Drake, Ph.D., PTSD Psychologist, Veterans Administration, who graciously spoke at our Columbus women’s meeting! A daughter of a Blackhorse trooper, Dr. Drake answered questions, listening with her expertise and her heart, as she shared as much of her vast knowledge in PTSD as she could in 80 minutes.

4.) You also requested, when possible, to have the occasional outing. We set out on the first ever full-day outing at Columbus, with a tour of the city art and history museum, a wonderful Southern luncheon served in a beautiful Greek Revival mansion, toured a historic cemetery and did a drive by tour in the historic district. The day was warm, the buses cool and friendships grew by the time we were finished! What a great way to get to know one another better!

In fact, the tour was so successful that as requested at the women’s meeting, we are looking into another tour for the 2016 reunion at San Antonio, Texas, one that will be able to include all women who want to go.

We asked at the meeting the dollar amount they would be willing to spend for a group tour. The majority of women agreed to $50 if needed. We are researching it now to see what we can do, so keep watching the Thunder Run and website for updates. Start saving your coffee money for another fun tour!

Fundraising: We’re looking at the great list of ideas shared by many of you at last year’s meeting. We’ll again have a site specific lanyard from the same quality company we began using in 2014. In addition, we plan to offer a second item as we have in the past. There’ll be more on that later.

Prayer Shawl: Prayer Shawl Chair Cherry Platt reported that 226 prayer shawls and lap robes have been given since the project began in 2011. That number has sadly already increased since the Columbus reunion. This project sees that a prayer shawl is sent to the family of 11^th ACVVC troopers who have passed on to Fiddlers Green if we are made aware of the loss. As our numbers of loss continues to grow, so does the need for prayer shawls. Cherry has said that since the 2014 meeting, more women have joined this worthy cause, joining those who knit or croquet at home. We hope to expand this project to those who quilt, but need someone, a quilter, who would like to work with Cherry with this. Anyone who has experience or information on quilting prayer shawls and lap robes, please contact Cherry by email at fredplatt@att.net.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Marguerite Austin reported on the finances of the Women’s Group. We are slowly building our funds. Marguerite, and the entire women’s board, unanimously agreed that our books will be audited every two years. We have a women’s member with an extensive background in finance who has agreed to audit our books after the year end. Please know we need each and every one of you to make and keep the Women’s Group a success. Together we are a team! Bear with us as we learn and move forward. We want to continue to hear from you and to hear your ideas and thoughts.

You can contact any board member anytime. Contact information can be found on the men’s website at http: www.11thcavnam.com and then go to the area marked “Messages” in the middle of the home page. Click on “Messages.” That will take you to the next page where you can click on Blackhorse Women’s News, then click on Women’s Board Members for contact information.

You can also contact me anytime at 701-873-2970, leave a message if no answer, or by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com. Until next time!

In just a few short weeks, the 11^th ACVVC Blackhorse family will gather once again – this time for its 30th annual reunion set for Fort Benning/Columbus, Georgia, August 19-23. I can hardly believe it – 30 years of reunions! How wonderful! Take a moment, if you would, and reflect back – what were you doing back then, when we were all so much younger? It seems a lifetime ago, but then I guess it has been a lifetime, when in 1984 a group of Blackhorse Vietnam Veterans began gathering names of fellow troopers while in Washington, D.C., for the dedication of the “Three Fighting Men” statue near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The first reunion was held just two years later in 1986. Since then it’s grown to great numbers in these past 30 years. Bravo to those who began these reunions. Bravo, as well, to those Troopers who continue to make the reunions great and never give up on searching for more Troopers!

We have some exciting happenings for women attendees this year while in Georgia.

First up is our Women’s Columbus Tour and Luncheon. We were limited to 100 participants unfortunately, but if you missed getting a place there is more to come at our Saturday meeting. But, back to the tour – because the reunion ended up filling so many Columbus hotels, there is a slight change in how you will get to the Tour Bus that morning, Friday, August 21.

You will need to catch the Convention Center shuttle bus at your own hotel that morning. Once you arrive at the Convention Center, we will gather together to board the tour buses. Watch for Women’s Tour signs. If you have given your email address at our women’s meetings, I will send an email in July with information. Also, there will be information on all reunion tours inside your registration that will tell you how to get from your hotel to the Convention Center to meet tour buses. Our tour buses are air conditioned, as are the museum and Wynn House that we will tour and have lunch.

At the historic Linwood Cemetery, we will remain on the buses except for a few short stops such as at the chapel and also some historic gravesites. You may want to bring an umbrella for shade if you get out at these brief stops. Or you can choose to stay on the air conditioned bus. The rest of the tour is a nice, cool drive through historic Columbus, before drop off at the end of the tour.

If you have a paid place on the Women’s Tour but find you can’t attend, there are no refunds. However, we have a short waiting list of women who might purchase your ticket from you. If you need help finding someone to buy your ticket, you can contact me (Kathy) anytime, now or at reunion, by my cell phone at 701-870-6868.

It gives our women's board of directors great pleasure to announce that Dr. Candace Drake, Ph.D., PTSD Psychologist with the Veterans Administration, will speak at our Saturday morning meeting, August 22. Check your reunion schedule that will be included in your registration packet for time and location. Dr. Drake is the Assistant Director of Training Psychology Internship Program, at Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, Pensacola, Florida. We thank men's board of directors with assistance in locating Dr. drake, who is also a 11th ACVVC family member. We are honored that she has agreed to speak with us. PTSD is an important subject for our group and all military families and members. Even if you have never attended our women's meeting before, you are welcome to attend our meeting and hear Dr. Drake. Perhaps this is the perfect time to check us out and attend our meeting.

Following the men's and women's Saturday morning meetings, don't forget that lunch will be served to reunion attendees (included as part of the reunion registration). The menu will include a selection of sandwiches, potato salad or coleslaw and a cookie.

The Women's Group is once again offering a special Fort Benning and Memorial lanyard at this year's reunion. We try to make our lanyards a collector's item each year so each is different and site specific. Look for us in the Quartermaster's room and get your lanyard as soon as possible as we hope to sell out as usual.

Also, be sure to check out the Blackhorse Women's webpage site by going to the men's website at www.11thcavnan.com and on the New Website Format locate "Messages" in the long box near the botton of the page above the words "Members Area" Click on Messages. This will take you to a second page for the selection under "Blackhorse Messages" and you will find several links including one to our page "Blackhorse Women's News." Also please "Like" us on FaceBook by searching Blackhorse Women.

(Co-coordinator Kathy Tandberg can be reached by e-mail at Kathz.tandberg@yahoo.com or by phone at 701-873-2970 or 701-870-6868.)

Happy spring! At least some of you are experiencing spring weather in your state, which means we are well on the way to our next reunion. The Women’s Group hopes to see as many of you as able when we next gather for the 11^th ACVVC 30^th annual reunion, August 19-23 at Columbus, Georgia/Fort Benning.

The Blackhorse Women’s Group has been busy making plans for this reunion and we are excited to share these plans.

A Women’s Group Tour is scheduled for Friday, August 21 in the city of Columbus. The day begins with a 9:15 morning pickup at your hotels, with a first destination of the Columbus Art & History Museum. If you have not yet signed up for this tour, please do so as soon as possible because as announced in the January issue of Thunder Run, the tour is limited to the first 100 who sign up. We are nearly three-fourths full so please register by using the special tour form in the Thunder Run. This is the second largest museum in the state of Georgia, second only to a museum in Atlanta. The museum is unique in that it has a permanent art collection as well as rotating galleries. There is also a gallery dedicated to regional history. The open concept, three-level museum offers elevators and bench seating throughout the facility. This was a big plus when reviewing locations to tour because we are a group of all ages and not all can walk as well as others. A special exhibit on display is a gallery of blown glass art made by the famous glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, whose work has been exhibited in every major museum in the world. It is Chihuly’s beautiful, blown glass creations that are in the Las Vegas Bellagio Hotel lobby and the hotel’s indoor gardens.

At noon we will board the buses once again for the Wynn House, a beautiful plantation-like and historic Greek Revival home from the early 1800s. Here we will have a southern luncheon, including coffee, tea and dessert. We can also wander and tour the house. After luncheon we will once again board the buses for a historic driving tour of the old city. The guided tour includes the historic homes and church district. We will also have a guided tour through the historic Linwood Cemetery from the early 1800s. This is also a Civil War cemetery and has a beautiful little chapel. We will stop at a couple special locations in the this cemetery. At approximately 3 p.m. or so, the buses will begin drop offs back at the hotels or at the convention center, where the bunkers are located; your choice. All of this for the price of $25 a person - this includes your transportation, tours, and luncheon - what a great price for a day of fun.

As promised, we have an excellent guest speaker planned for the Women's Meeting, Saturday morning, and August 22. For the past few meetings, we have been approached by you, our women, requesting a speaker about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, specifically related to families living with troopers with PTSD. It gives our women's board of directors great pleasure to announce that Dr. Candace Drake, Ph.D., PTSD Psychologist with the Veterans Administration, will speak at our Saturday morning meeting. Dr. Drake is the Assistant Director of Training, Psychology Internship Program, at Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, Pensacola, Florida. We thank men's board member, Pete Walter, with assisting us in locating Dr. Drake, who is also a 11th ACVVC family member. We are honored that she has agreed to speak with us. This is an important subject for our group. Even if you have never attended our women's meetings before, perhaps it is time to check us out and attend our meeting.

Following the men's and women's Saturday morning meetings, lunch will be served that is included as part of the reunion registration. The menu includes a selection of sandwiches, potato salad or coleslaw and a cookie.

Because the 30th annual reunion includes a special dedication and several tours that Thursday and Friday, the women's group will not offer a second fundraising item as previously announced.

We will, however , still be offering a wonderful, special Fort Benning and memorial lanyard at this year's reunion. Look for us in or near the quartermaster's room.

On another note - ladies, have you filled out your "Getting to Know You" project pages or forms and e-mailed or mailed them to project chairman Rosa Rector? If not, please do so. If you need a form or mailing information, please contact Rosa at 937-667-3606. Also be sure to check out the Blackhorse Women's webpage site by going to the men's website at www.11thcavnam.com and on the New Website Format locate "Messages" in the long box near the bottom of the page above the words "Members Area." Click Messages. This will take you to a second page for selection under the words "Blackhorse Messages" and you will find several links including one to our pages "Blackhorse Women's News."

Co-coordinator Kathy Tandberg can be reached by e-mail at Kathz.tandberg@yahoo.com or by phone at 701-873-2970 or 701-870-6868.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re halfway to the 30th annual reunion, August 19-23 at Columbus, Georgia/Fort Benning. Many exciting plans have been made by the 11^th ACVVC for this reunion. The biggest excitement for the Blackhorse Women’s Group has now been confirmed – an exciting day of touring in the city of Columbus for the ladies!

This tour has been scheduled for Friday, August 21, as an alternate activity for the women who aren’t interested in touring the many military options offered that day. The Women’s Group Tour begins with Friday morning pickup at your hotel. We will then travel and meet at 10 a.m. at the Columbus Museum of art and history. The museum offers both modern and historic exhibits. The open concept, three-level museum offers elevators and bench seating throughout the facility. This was a big plus when reviewing locations to tour because we are a group of all ages. We think the elevators and benches are a plus for our ladies who want to sit and rest from time to time, as well as those who want to simply sit and view the many exhibits. The tour will be guided, but women can also wander the museum on their own.

A special exhibit on display is a gallery of blown glass art made by the famous glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, from Washington state, whose work has been exhibited in every major museum in the world. It is Chihuly’s beautiful blown glass creations that are in the Las Vegas Bellagio Hotel lobby and the hotel’s indoor gardens. His work is magnificent.

At noon we will board the buses once again for Wynn House, a beautiful plantation-like and historic Greek Revival home from the early 1800s. Here we will have a southern luncheon, including coffee, tea and dessert. And, we can also wander and tour the house. After luncheon we will once again board the buses for a historic driving tour of the old city. The guided tour includes the historic homes and church district and port area.

We will also have a guided driving tour through the Linwood Cemetery from the early 1800s. This is also a Civil War cemetery and has a beautiful little chapel. We will stop at a couple locations in this cemetery. At around 3 p.m. or so, the buses will begin drop offs back at the hotels or at the Convention Center, where the bunkers are located; your choice. All of this for the price of $25.00 a person - this includes your transportation, tours, and luncheon - what a great price for a day of fun.

Like the men's tours, we are limited in the number we can take. This tour is limited to the first 100 participants who sign up. Our tour will be listed among things to do on the reunion forms so be sure to sign up right away. Check your spouse's THUNDER RUN and reunion information as soon as it arrives and get signed up.

In addition, the Women's Group will again offer Fort Benning site-specific lanyards as well as another fundraising item. Watch for news on those in the next THUNDER RUN! The Women's Board looks forward to seeing you in Columbus and we are already planning an exciting meeting with a guest speaker for our annual meeting Saturday morning. More news to come on that!

On another note - ladies, have you filled out your "Getting to Know You" project pages or forms and mailed them to project chairman Rosa Rector? If not, please do so. If you need a form, contact Rosa at (937) 667-3606.

Remember, watch for the upcoming THUNDER RUN and get registered for the Women's Group Tour!

NOTE: Kathy can be reached by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com or by phone at (701) 873-2970. Also, be sure to check out the Blackhorse Women's webpage site by going to www.11thcavnam.com and locating Blackhorse Women's News tab in the white box near the bottom, or on the New Web Site Format go to Messages. Also find and "Like" us on FaceBook by searching Blackhorse Women.

First of all, I want to congratulate not one, but two deserving Blackhorse Women’s members who were recipients of the 29th Annual 11th Armored Cavalry 2014 Women’s Award, given for Exceptional Service to the 11th ACVVC. This year congratulations go to Sheryl Elaine Myers and Marguerite Campbell Austin. Ladies, thank you for being part of the Blackhorse 11th ACVVC Women and for all you do and did to help make our reorganization a great success! Thanks also to all the women who attended our reorganization meeting at the Las Vegas reunion. We had a full house and what a success it was! It was a busy meeting as we heard from you what you want from our meetings each year during the 11th ACVVC reunions. What we learned was:

1.) Yes! You want to continue to fundraise to further our worthy projects, mainly the Prayer Shawl Project at this time. And, you want to continue to donate each year to Wreaths Across America for Arlington Cemetery.
2.) Yes! You want to continue to have an occasional hands-on project, such as the silent auction quilt in which proceeds go to the men’s causes. Stay tuned to the Thunder Run and the women’s column and Facebook and the website for ideas for the next quilt project!
3.) Yes! You want speakers at our meetings, when possible, on worthy subjects, such as living with a soldier with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which many of our veterans still deal with. We’ll work on having information for you at the next reunion on where to get help and how to help him and your family.
4.) Yes! You would enjoy, when possible, to have the occasional outing.

This is just a bit of what we discussed! In addition to these important causes, we will of course also assist with other causes as the need arises. This includes, as needed, assisting with reunion registration fees for the spouse/companion of a trooper who also receives reunion assistance from the 11th ACVVC. We also discussed various fundraising ideas. Each year the Blackhorse Women will offer a new lanyard designed for the reunion location. In addition, we will usually offer when able, one other item as we fundraise. Several fundraising ideas came to us from the women, as well as one from a Trooper that was well received. More on fundraising will be discussed in another article. After a few announcements and discussions about the future of Blackhorse Women’s meetings, we heard a report from the treasurer, Marguerite Austin, that we are slowing rebuilding our funds that enable such projects and assistance.

Marguerite is also the address chair. If you haven’t attended a women’s meeting lately, or if your contact information has or ever does changes, please contact Marguerite at or any women’s board member with the information. We heard from board member and Prayer Shawl chair Cherry Platt that 175 prayer shawls and lap robes have been given since the project began in 2011. That number has sadly already increased since the reunion. This project sees that a prayer shawl is sent to the family of troopers who pass on to Fiddlers Green if we are made aware of the loss. As our numbers of loss continues to grow, so does the need for prayer shawls. Cherry has said that since the meeting, more women have joined this worthy cause, joining those who knit or croquet at home. This project is expanding to those who quilt. Anyone who has information on quilting these shawls and robes, please contact Cherry by email at for more information. Facebook chair Cathi Bowers reminded everyone to check out our Facebook page. You can search for us under Blackhorse (11th ACVVC) Women. Please “Like” our page and help spread the word. Comments on the page are also appreciated.

We officially kicked off a new project at the Las Vegas meeting called Getting to Know You. Chairing this project is Rosa Rector, who came up with the idea as a way to meet and know the women of the Blackhorse. The concept of this project is to help everyone to get to know one another just a little better because most of us meet only once a year at the reunions. If you took a form home from the reunion, don’t forget to return them once completed to Rosa in the envelope provided. Please contact Rosa by email at for more information or for a form for the project. Don’t worry about your pages. Rosa will explain what is needed and help is available if needed. The finished forms/pages will be placed in a binder and available for viewing each year at our meetings.

We heard from two guest speakers at the Las Vegas meeting. The 11th ACVVC Historian, Don Snedeker, spoke to us about a special history project he is working on. Don is seeking stories from Blackhorse spouses, family members or girlfriends from the days of Vietnam, and now, today. Not sure if you have a story to share with Don? Contact him at and find out. Thank you, Don, for sharing with us and letting us know what you need.

We also heard from one of our own Blackhorse Women, Pam Hathaway. Pam and her husband, Allen, volunteer each December with Wreaths Across America, placing wreaths at Arlington Cemetery. She shared her experiences and said anyone can participate in the program at their local military cemetery. Thank you Pam!

Finally, we formalized a board of directors for the Blackhorse Women. The position of director has been eliminated and the group now has a seven-member board that will vote on decisions and bring many of them to the membership. In addition, we have a treasurer, with two names on the account. Our account will be audited annually by non-board Women’s Group members.

• Co-Coordinators - Kathy Tandberg (Lauren Tandberg, C Troop, 69-70) and Renee Majors (Gary Majors, C Troop 70-71)
• Secretary - Sheryl Myers (Gary Myers, L Troop 1969)
• Treasurer - Marguerite Austin (Dale Austin, K Troop 68-69)
• Member at Large - Jan Beamon (Jerry Beamon, K Troop 69-70)
• Member at Large - Cherry Platt (Fred Platt, L Troop 66-67)
• Member at Large - Cathi Bower (Chuck Bower, L Troop 69-70)

The following women’s members hold committee chair positions:
Marguerite Austin, Address Chair
Renee Majors, Fundraising Chair
Cherry Platt, Prayer Shawl Chair
Cathi Bower, Facebook Chair/Manager
Rosa Rector, Getting to Know You Chair

Please know we need all of you to make and keep the Women’s Group a success. Together we are a team! Bear with us as we begin anew and move forward. You are important and vital to our group and we want to continue to hear from you and to hear your ideas and thoughts. Please contact any board member anytime. You can find contact information on the men’s website at http://www.11thcavnam.com/and then go to the middle of the home page to the group of listings and click on Blackhorse Women’s News, then click on Women’s Board Members for contact information. You can also contact me anytime at 701-873-2970, leave a message if no answer, or by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com Until next time!

My husband Lauren and I returned home last week from Las Vegas, Nev., refreshed from the vacation where we gathered for something far more important than the gambling, glitz and glamor of the Las Vegas Strip. We were in Vegas for a reunion of family; not your usual family, but a family with a bond just as important as blood. We were there to reunite with our military family, for a reunion with Lauren’s own “band of brothers” from his service in the Vietnam War.

More than 1,500 Vietnam veterans and their family members gather Sept. 3-7 for the 29th annual reunion of the U. S. Army’s 11th Armored Cavalry Vietnam and Cambodia Veterans – the Blackhorse Regiment. I borrow the words “band of brothers” carefully from the World War II movie of that name because as I watch these men reunite each year, it is clearly evident this is exactly what they are – a band of brothers for life. These brave men of the Blackhorse Regiment of my generation share camaraderie of the blood, sweat, tears and horrors of war. They lived it with bravery, answering the call of duty each day of service in the jungles of Vietnam, from 1966 when they landed, to 1972 when they had orders to withdraw. The first gathering place at the beginning of each reunion is in the “bunker” where tables are marked by troop so veterans can find one another easily.

Lauren served proudly with C Troop and over the years has spent treasured time with those he served with, some at the same time and others who were in C Troop before and after his time in Vietnam. The men also roam from table to table to find buddies from other troops. It’s a wondrous sight to see each year when returning troopers find their way to the reunions and discover what they’ve missed in past years. It’s even more wondrous when a trooper attends the reunion for the first time. Once these men attend their first reunion, they come back each year for more of that brotherly love as they share memories with one another. No one understands their time in Vietnam as well as another who has been there.

For my husband, while it wasn’t the luck of the draw with an assignment to Vietnam, he will tell anyone that it was pure luck when he was assigned to the 11th Cavalry Blackhorse Regiment upon landing in Vietnam. He was already aware of the Blackhorse reputation because his stateside platoon sergeant and another soldier he met briefly in Japan on his way to Vietnam told him the same thing – that the Blackhorse was the best regiment there was. When it came time for assignments, Lauren lined up in formation with other new troopers for their troop assignments, which were most often given out at random. Lauren was sent as a replacement for the Blackhorse. It was there he found this brave band of brothers that remains as important in his life today as it was back in Vietnam. Among these troopers are good men he met from stateside during training and NCO school. They weren’t all in the same unit in Vietnam, but they shared the same experiences in the jungles.

To this band of brothers – The Blackhorse – I send my heartfelt appreciation and thanks for what they did for our nation – going not where they may have chosen, but where their nation sent them, where they answered that call of duty. Altogether, approximately 9.2 million men signed up or were drafted into U.S. military service from 1964-1975. Of those, 2.2 million served boots on ground in Vietnam. I thank them wholeheartedly for the peace these reunions bring to my husband and fellow troopers year after year and for what they share as they gather. Their brotherhood remains strong as they make one another whole with their camaraderie. My husband didn’t have a brother growing up. It was as a Blackhorse soldier so long ago in the jungles of Vietnam that he found his brothers. They are the best of the best. Allons!

The Las Vegas reunion will be here before we know it, and the Women’s Group is looking forward to the future as we reorganize this year. Blackhorse spouses, significant others and family members are welcome to attend these annual meetings held Saturday morning at the same time as the men’s meetings. Please check the reunion schedule for exact time and room location.

If you already attend our meetings, invite a friend or more from your bunker or banquet table, some of those great once-once-a-year friends, and bring them to the 2014 women's meeting in Las Vegas. There you can meet more wonderful women and family and share in the fun.

We will be asking for your input this year to learn what you want to see happen at our meetings. Please attend and share what you want, like or don’t want or don’t like. This is your group so we want to hear from you.

We will also have a couple speakers at this year’s meeting to share information on our two most important projects at this time, the Prayer Shaw Project and Wreaths Across America. We look forward to seeing you!

Now on to a little business: In 2011 Cherry Platt brought a wonderful idea to the Blackhorse Women’s Group. She offered to coordinate a prayer shawl project for us, a project she also participates in at her church.

The idea was well-received at our meeting and Cherry began in earnest with help from Blackhorse Women as well as friends from home. Once our group is notified of a fallen trooper, Cherry goes into action and mails a prayer shawl out.

We have had several requests since the beginning from other Blackhorse women and family members wanting to help. If you already crochet, knit or quilt you can join this project from your home. We are happy to have all the help we can get because sadly, the number annually of our fallen troopers has increased.

If you don’t already have those talents, we have had several requests for a prayer shawl workshop so others can see what is done firsthand. Not everyone who has requested the workshop knows how to knit or crochet and would like to learn. That request has been heard, and Cherry, with the help of others, will hold an impromptu workshop at our Las Vegas reunion.

Time is tight in Vegas, and with much to do at the regular Women’s meeting this year, we will hold the workshop early Thursday evening in the Cocoa A or Cocoa B room, very near the Bunker, at approximately 6:30 p.m. so we are finished early enough for everyone to participate in the Silent Auction Fundraiser held that evening in the Bunker.

Some patterns, yarn and knitting needles will be available for those who want to learn, and as Cherry says, bring them if you can. Cherry said it is an easy stitch and anyone can learn it. For those who quilt, Cherry will also have a pattern so you can see how those are made. Then anyone at home can make prayer shawls for this special project.

The definition of a prayer shawl or lap robe is: A shawl or lap robe that is handmade (knit, crocheted or quilted) with prayers woven into the stiches as it is made.

The prayer shawl project began at the 2011 reunion by the Blackhorse Women. The first shawl was presented at the reunion.

When we lose a trooper, or in some cases a spouse, a prayer shawl or lap robe is mailed to the surviving spouse. These shawls or lap robes are wrapped in ribbon with a bookmark or card that has a prayer on it. Also included is a small card with the Blackhorse logo that reads: “Handmade with love from your Blackhorse Family.”

Also attached are a crocheted angel and a handwritten card. Each shawl or lap robe is blessed by the person who made it.

These shawls are made by volunteers of the Blackhorse Women and to date we have sent out more than 160. The response of the people who have received one has been overwhelming and hopefully brings some comfort to those who have lost a loved one.

This is an important project of the women. Anyone interested in helping with project, or wants more information about it or the workshop in Vegas, can contact (Cherry) by email at fredplatt@att.net or call at 770-445-7534 for information and patterns.

If anyone coming to the workshop has needles, yarn or hooks, please bring them and join us. We will have patterns and would love to get to know you and have you share in this wonderful undertaking.

For those of you who are already involved in this project, thank you so much for all that you do to make this such a success.

The chaplain has agreed to bless any shawls that we have at the reunion at the Sunday morning church service. I encourage anyone who has any made to bring them if possible so we can have a special blessing on them before they are sent out to the spouses.

(Interim Women’s Group Co-coordinator Kathy Tandberg can be contacted by email at kathyz.tandberg@yahoo.com or call 701-870-6868 (cell) or 701-873-2970 (home).)


Jennifer Quinn and Sheryl Myers	19th Annual Woman of the Year Award	Congratulations and thank you Jennifer!