FORT BENNING, Ga., (Aug.26, 2015) --A monument dedication for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment was held Aug. 20 at Pattons' Park.
Allen Hathaway, president of the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia, said the dedication was planned to coincide with the group's 30th annual reunion.More than 1,250 members came to Fort Benning for the monument dedication and the reunion.
The 11th ACR, also known as the Blackhorse Regiment, was activated in 1901 as a horse cavalry regiment. According to its history, the troopers once chased Pancho Villa's bandits from the Texas and New Mexico borders and engaged them in battle.
The regiment is now located at Fort Irwin, California.
The monument honors fallen Blackhorse Soldiers from the Philippine Insurrection, the Mexican Expedition, World War II, Vietnam, the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I have several friends on the monument," Hathaway said. "Every one of these men here has a friend whose name is on the monument. It was very important to us in our project to list every single casualty throughout the history of the regiment. It was very important that the American people know their sacrifice. And it will be here forever."
Richard Krebs, who fought with the 11th ACR in Vietnam said seeing the monument brought back memories of the men he lost in Vietnam.
He said the reunion and the monument represent Family.
"It brings us all together," Krebs said. "We're all one big Family and like I say, it was my people I lost, but it's all of our people who we've lost."
The monument, like the regiment, has a long history.
It was first dedicated in the fall of 1967 in Vietnam.
The original monument was cut from a large granite stone that was taken from the Gia Ray rock quarry, located near the Blackhorse base camp in Vietnam.
"The stone was transported to local stonecutters where it was chiseled, shaped and smoothed into a four sided obelisk that would become the memorial," Hathaway said.
The finished stone was placed in front of the regimental chapel and brass nametags of each fallen trooper were attached to the monument.
The monument traveled along with the regiment wherever it moved throughout the war.
In 1971, when the regimental headquarters was deactivated, the monument was moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky.
In 2005, Hathaway said, a project was undertaken by the 11th ACR veterans to expand the memorial to honor fallen Blackhorse troopers since 1901.
"In 2007, three new obelisks were added honoring all fallen troopers," Hathaway said.
Engraved granite brick pavers were sold to help fund the project.
"Over 900 bricks were purchased by Blackhorse veterans and placed around the memorial. Many bricks contained messages of support, pride of service and remembrance of close friends," Hathaway said.
Hathaway said he hopes the monument will inspire young Soldiers to become good Soldiers, NCOs and officers.
"The impact that we see is that it's here for the future generations of armored cavalry Soldiers. They can come and see this monument and know the history of our regiment," Hathaway said.
The monument followed the Armor School to Fort Benning from Fort Knox.
"Regardless of where it is located, it will always honor each and every fallen Blackhorse trooper for all eternity," Hathaway said. "We as Blackhorse veterans and all Americans must always remember the sacrifice of those who serve our country."
To view Benning TV coverage of the dedication, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRbBtpaXTx0.
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