Wreath Laying at Washington's Tomb

 Jerry Brownfield, B Troop 3rd Squadron 4th Cavalry 1969/1970 recently participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of President George Washington on Jun 25th 2011. Jerry indicates it was a great honor for him and his fellow veterans to lay the wreath at the tomb of our first President.

Thanks Jerry,

 

John

A Troop Vets Support Apache Troop's Deployment

The current A Troop will deploy to Afghanistan next month. For some background the troop commander, Cpt Adam McCombs has made contact with us and desires to connect the current troop members to those from the past. He recently held a pre-deployment dining-in dinner for the troops and their families. He ask a few of us to make video comments about the troop's time in Vietnam. Several of us (Mel Moss, Art Ryan, and I) did that for him. Art Bonevich donated his A troop guidon from 1966 that was displayed at the dinner and will accompany the squadron to Afghanistan. Cpt McCombs has provided us with the names of the troopers going on the deployment to Afghanistan. He has troopers in the troop from PV1s to 1LTs. What we would like to do is have enough of us to sponsor one of the troopers during the deployment so that each one will have at least one of us to communicate with. At a minimum you would need to write the trooper a couple of times a month. Later on we might need you to send a goodies package, calling card, or other items that Cpt McCombs feels the troop needs. I think we all remember how important contact with home was during our tours and hope you can sponsor one Apache Trooper. If we end up with more than what is needed then some troopers will have a couple of sponsors. This will not start right away. Once the deployment to Afghanistan is completed, Cpt McCombs will send the APO address to us. Former A Troopers please contact me if you are willing to sponsor a current Apache Trooper during his deployment. 

Thanks, Mel & John

Historic A Troop Guidon to go to Afghanistan

Art Bonevich recently donated his A Troop guidon from 1966 to the 3rd Squadron 4th Cavalry in Hawaii. The Squadron Command Sergeant Major, Mark Kiefer, has notified Art that the guidon is being taken to Afghanistan with the squadron. 

Here is CSM Kiefer's letter to Art: "I just received the A Troop guidon you sent. With your permission, I want to take it to Afghanistan and use it as a historic item of display. I will photograph it in various ceremonies giving it a service life of over 45 years. I have inspected it and have deemed it serviceable for the mission. At the conclusion of the deployment, I will frame the guidon and use your photos and those that I take to illustrate its long 46 year history to the Squadron. Please inform your former brethren, that the A Troop colors of 1966 have been called to action in Afghanistan. Thanks for sending these items, we will be honored to have them for posterity." Regards and Respect, CSM Mark A Kiefer 3-4 CAV CSM "Raiders"

This is a great honor for all of us that served with A Troop 3rd Squadron 4th Cavalry in the past. We appreciate the squadron's efforts to reach out and connect to former troopers. Thank you CSM Kiefer. Best wishes for a safe deployment, return to your loved ones and do great things. You are in our prayers. Thank you all for what you do. 

John,

Crisp Family Super Bowl Party for Veterans & Active Duty.

For the super bowl this year the Crisp family of Cota de Coza, CA hosted a super bowl party for Veterans & active duty Marines.  We posted an article on this previously.  This is a follow-up video of the event.  Manny Montanez, A Trp 68/69 helped plan and host the party. Manny makes some comments during the video. Several A Troopers from 1968/1969 attended as Manny's guests.



Don't think Manny chose the music for this video.  So just turn your speakers off if not your style.  :-)

John,

Cavalry Troop Photo from 1880s

The 3rd Squadron 4th Cavalry traces its direct lineage to C Troop 4th Cavalry which was constituted 3 March 1855 in the Regular Army as Company C, 1st Cavalry organized 17 June 1855 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.  The troop was redesignated 3 August 1861 as Company C, 4th Cavalry.  C Troop was reorganized and re-designated 29 July 1963 as the 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry.

 Bingo Bingham, B Trp 68/69, recently received a photograph of C Troop, our squadron's ancestor organization, taken in the 1880s at Ft. Huachuca, AZ.  The photograph is from the J.H. Dorst papers in the library of the USMA.  J.H. Dorst served in the 4th Cavalry and is in front of C Troop in this photo.

     The photo was taken by C.S. Fly. See the back of the photo below.  C.S. Fly ran a lodging house and photo studio in the mining town of Tombstone, Arizona in the 1880's. Doc Holliday lodged in C.S. Fly's lodging house. C.S Fly's studio was located next to the OK Corral.  Billy Clanton was shot in the alley next to Fly's Lodging House, where the Clanton's had gathered. Billy was relieved of his pistol by C. S. Fly after the gun fight.  In 1886, Fly accompanied General Crook to Canyon de Los Embudos for the negotiations with Geronimo.  His most famous photographs are of Geronimo, the negotiations, and the Apaches.

   Thought you all would enjoy this piece of history.  Photos provided by Bingo Bingham.  Thanks Bingo!


John,

Alpha Troop Veterans Watch Super Bowl in Style

A Troopers Manny Montanez, Steve Turner, and David Olsen attended the super bowl party hosted by Jerry & Julie Crisp at their estate in Cota de Coza, California. The couple opened their home to 100 Marines from Camp Pendelton and 75 other area veterans.

The guests were entertained by the USC Marching Band, The San Diego Charger Cheerleaders, and a Rolling Stones tribute band. The super bowl was shown on large screen TV's throughout the estate. The event took the couple 3 months of planning and cost about $100,000 dollars. This is the first year the Crisp's hosted area veterans and the fourth year for the Marines at their home for the super bowl. Manny Montanez, 1st platoon 68/69, assisted the Crisp's with the planning.

SSG Manny Montanez and SGT Steve Turner get re-acquainted for the first time after 42 years. Manny was the Tank Commander on A16 a M48 Tank, in A troop, 3/4 Cav in Cu Chi, South Vietnam. Steve was the loader on the same tank. On 8 Jan 69 the tank was hit by an RPG through the left side of the tank. Manny's legs took the full force of the blast. Steve was standing next to him inside and received a small wound.

The USC Marching Band welcomes the veterans to the party.

During the event the Marine and Veteran guests were treated to the super bowl on Multiple Big-Screen TVs, use of the Swimming Pool & Spa, Cigars, greeting by NFL Cheerleaders, mingling with Pro Football Players & Celebrities, Therapeutic Massages, Boxing, a riding bull, Opportunity Drawings, Giveaways, and abundant Food and Drinks. L.A. based singer Leah Turner performed for the guests.



The San Diego Charger Cheerleaders and the Rolling Stones tribute band pose for photos.













The American Eagle was a fitting entrance to this 2011 Super Bowl Party honoring United States Veterans. The party was hosted by Gary and Julie Crisp, who opened their home and hearts to Marines from Camp Pendleton and many Veterans of all ages from a variety of Units.

Kudos to Gary & Julie Crisp for this wonderful event for our veterans.

Thanks to Manny for inviting Alpha Troopers to the party.

John,