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Your Troopers
Blackhorse Association a connection to history, tradition
Story and photo by Sgt. Eric Thurman uniforms and signs present during the fall of the Berlin Wall, Veterans from the Blackhorse Association are given a ride
which the Blackhorse oversaw. in an Opposing Forces Surrogate Vehicle, a modified M113
Public Affairs, 11th ACR Personnel Carrier, during a visit here, June 12.
Following a trip through the museum, Veterans were es-
From across the country, Veterans from the Blackhorse corted to the Regiment Sustainment and Support Squadron been for the better.
Association, along with their families, attended a homecom- motor pool, where they were given demonstrations of the “Our Veterans were proud because they said that out of all
ing with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment here, June 12. Opposing Forces Surrogate Vehicle, a modified version of
the M113 Personnel Carrier, commonly used throughout the other units they had been to, this is the one that has kept
Buses arrived mid-morning at the National Training Cen- the Vietnam War. Today, the 11th ACR uses the OFSV to tradition alive,” Hameister said.
ter and 11th ACR Museum, where Veterans were greeted by replicate enemy forces while preparing the Army for world-
regiment Troopers, who literally rolled out red carpets for wide deployments. Veterans and their family members were “We – old and new – are very much alike,” Snodgrass stated.
their arrival. given the chance to get familiar with the OFSV and were “We are honored to serve (or to have served) in a great unit,
even given a ride. Later, the regiment gave Veterans a chance dedicated to serving our country proudly, and willing to do
The association is made up of past members and combat to take-on some active duty Troopers in a simulated squad whatever is necessary to secure our nation’s freedom anywhere
Veterans, who served with the Blackhorse in conflicts ranging exercise involving small-arms combat. and anytime.”
from the Vietnam War to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Glenn
Snodgrass, 11th ACR Veteran and President of the Blackhorse The day closed with a visit to the 11th ACR Horse Detach-
Association, explained that the Blackhorse Association was ment, one of the only active duty horse platoons left in the
founded in 1969 and incorporated in 1970. Army. The detachment gave a tactical riding demonstration
for the Veterans to relive their common history and to give
Snodgrass added that it is more than simple admiration tribute to those Troopers who came before them.
for the 11th ACR that brings Veterans home to the unit. It’s
all part of knowing that they left the regiment in able hands. Sgt. Quincy Sanders, assigned to Maintenance Troop, Regi-
mental Support Squadron, 11th ACR, said it was inspiration
“We strive to keep our relationship alive and meaningful,” to host the Veterans.
Snodgrass said. “We really do want to know how our regiment
is doing these days.” Spc. Lauren Hameister, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with
Maintenance Troop, RSS, 11th ACR, explained that many
After spending a short time receiving a welcome from of the Veterans were glad to see that not much has change
Troopers, members of the Blackhorse Association toured the within the regiment, but the things that have changed have
museum. The facility houses artifacts dating back to the regi-
ment’s inception in 1901 to equipment used in Vietnam to
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