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14 High Desert Warrior www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin
January 8, 2016

Honor and Respect

Blackhorse Troopers march 38

miles to honor Barstow Veterans
By Capt. Dawne Divine home. Several city residents, students, and downtown shoppers Once the regiment was given the mark-time command at
gathered street-side to cheer for the Soldiers, while dozens of the Veterans home, the Soldiers and residents of the facility
11th ACR Public Affairs observers parked their vehicles to snap photos. assembled for a ceremony in a dining hall. During the cer-
emony, Jacobi addressed the residents by saying, “Today, we
The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin hosted The first Regimental Long Walk was held in 1997 to com- want to say thank you and tell you that the sacrifices made
its 19th Annual Regimental Long Walk, Dec. 14 and 15. memorate the opening of the Veterans home. The event sanc- coming before us are secured. The Soldiers want to comfort
tioned active duty servicemembers from the National Training you and tell you that the gates of freedom are secured because
The Regimental Long Walk is a two-day, 38-mile foot Center and Fort Irwin to give local Veterans a widely-deserving, it’s their watch. The men and women in today’s military will
march from Fort Irwin to the Veterans Home of California heartfelt public appreciation. Each year thereafter, the 11th not let you down.”
in Barstow to honor local Veterans. ACR continued the rigorous march as a token of appreciation
to Veterans for the sacrifices they have made for our country. The Veterans and Soldiers spent the remainder of the af-
Approximately 400 Soldiers, family members, and commu- ternoon sharing snacks, stories, and presentations. Both said
nity residents of Fort Irwin assembled at sunrise and marched According to Col. Kevin L. Jacobi, 11th ACR command- they look forward to the annual walk because it enables them
nearly 30 miles in unforgiving high winds to an overnight ing officer, the long walk is a small way of saying thank you to form bonds with each other swapping war stories.
cantonment area. Early the next morning, participants con- to Veterans for their service.
tinued marching to the Barstow train depot where they joined After 19 years, the Regimental Long Walk has become a
the Regimental Horse Mounted Color Guard. “For 19 years we have made this march,” Jacobi said. “This tradition that residents of the Veterans home would like to
year, we had twice as many participants. It is wonderful to see continue in the years to come.
Four ceremonial riders and regiment command teams led see the spirit of patriotism growing within our community.”
the formation, proudly marching in cadence to the Veterans

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment commander, Col. Kevin Jacobi, and Sgt. Maj. Juan Soldiers of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment walk on Fort Irwin Road to Barstow during
Pena, 11th ACR operations sergeant major, lead Blackhorse regiment participants of the the 11th ACR Long Walk, Dec. 14.
11th ACR Long Walk to Barstow, Dec. 15.

Troopers of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment walk on Main Street on the way to the Photos by 11th ACR
Veterans Home of California in Barstow to honor local veterans. Soldiers and family members spent time with Veterans who reside at the Veterans Home
of California in Barstow, Dec. 15. The camaraderie took place after the completion of the
For more information go to www.irwin.army.mil 38-mile 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Long Walk.