Dear Fellow Banshees,
I would like to apologize because I took so long to get this issue of the Gazette out to you.
I am still giving Dave and Jinger Martin a break from publishing the Gazette and I hope they will soon be relaxed enough to assume their original duties.
I want to remind all of you that due to the changes in the by-laws, Dave and I have one more year to serve as officers. Therefore I am asking those of you who regularly attend the meetings to give some serious thought as to who you would like to have as the next President and Vice President. I am sure there are some of you out there that would like to serve the membership in this capacity and just think how great it would look on a resume. Seriously, between now and the Dayton reunion I am asking each of you to give some thought as to who you want to replace the currently serving officers since there are now time limitations limiting us to how long we can hold an office.
I would also like to remind you that the current members of B Troop are still serving in Iraq. If you haven't done so or you already have and would like to do it again, please consider sending them a CARE package to show them how much we appreciate them carrying on the Banshee legacy. If you would like to send a package and lost the address, here it is again:
Soldier's Name
B 2/17 Cav.
101st Abn. Div (AAST)
96124
APO AE 09325-6124
If you do not know any trooper's name you can send packages to CW4 Paul Pedersen. He assured me that he will share any packages he receives with the rest of the troop.
Please do not send any mail to "Any Soldier","Banshee" or "Commanding Officer", etc. because they will not be delivered. You must have a person's name on the package.
That's about all for now. Almost everything else is covered in an individual article within the Gazette.
Hope to see you in Dayton next month.
"Out Front"
Jim Matthews
As we informed you in the last issue of the Gazette the B Troop 2/17th Cavalry Association has officially notified officials at Texas Tech University that over the next three years we are committed to raising $10,000 to make the "Doc" La Pointe Scholarship Endowment Fund more than just a dream.
Since $10,000 is a large amount of money, the Scholarship Committee and Association officers feel that we should put all of our resources and efforts together to reach this goal.
As of the last gazette issue, the officers of the Association have authorized Randy Kunkleman to make a payment of $ 1,000 to the La Pointe Endowment Fund.
We would like to thank all of you have been able to donate money donations and the articles that we were able to auction off at our last reunion which enabled us to increase our funds substantially but we have a long way to go.
The scholarship committee has also explored several other ways to raise money for the La Pointe Endowment Fund . We will have more information for you at the reunion. If you are unable to attend this year we will notify you about other fund raising events and we hope everyone will participate.
.….DON'T FORGET…..
IF YOU OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS OR YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A VERY WORTHWHILE TAX DEDUCTION, ANY MONEY DONATED TO THE LA POINTE SCHOLARSHIP FUND IS TAX DEDUCTABLE.
Dues, Endowment Fund Donations and Reunion Registration Fees (any monies)
Randy Kunkleman
2395 N. Conant Road
Elida, OH 45807
419-339-3984
kunkleman@hotmail.com
ADDRESS CHANGES
Jim Matthews
6743 Madison Avenue
West Mifflin, PA 15122
412-466-3557
jhmatthews1@verizon.net
BANSHEE GAZETTE
David Martin
232 Rabbit Shadow Trail
Whitney, Texas 76692
254-694-5529
Banshee694@yahoo.com
ARTICLE IV SECTION 1 - OFFICER POSITIONS
The Association will consist of the following officers:
ARTICLE IV SECTION 2 - OFFICE LIMITATIONS The office of President and Vice President shall have a limit of two consecutive years, but they may run for another office upon completion of his final term. The offices of chaplain and secretary/treasurer will have no time limits.
ARTICLE VII NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS - A. Nominations will be accepted during the regular business meeting for an election to be held the following year, or in writing, at least two months prior to the next regular business meeting when the election is to take place, to give the nominee the opportunity to accept or decline the saidnomination.
When the Association was first organized and we began publishing the Banshee Gazette, it was our intention to send the Gazette to anyone that served in the unit, whether they actually joined the Association or not, providing we had a good mailing address for them.
This practice was followed for over six years and wasn't too expensive when we only mailed 29 Gazettes or 100 Gazettes. To our dismay, we must discontinue this practice due to in increase in postage and reproduction costs, plus the time involved with preparing over 700 Gazettes for mailing three times a year.
We did not require former members of the unit to join our Association, but for every Gazette issue mailing we would receive 10-20 Gazettes returned because the person moved, etc. and the person would not have the courtesy to inform us. This was a waste of the Association's money.
Beginning with the December 2002 issue, we began e-mailing copies of the Banshee Gazette to Regular, Honorary and Associate Members of the Association and special mailings. Copies will be sent via US Postal Service when no other means are available. The Banshee Gazette will also be available on our website.
Non-members will be notified of the changes in the Gazette distribution and if they still want to receive the newsletter we will send it via e-mail if possible or US Mail if they would consider a contribution to defray the costs.
UNIT ROSTERS
Up until December 31, 2001 all of the reproductions of the unit rosters were done by Jim Matthews at his place of employment. There was no cost to the Association for the reproductions. Since midnight on 12/31/2001 Jim retired and the Association is looking at an expense that we never had before. There are nearly 200 members of the Association. Each member was sent an updated roster yearly, when he or she renewed their membership. As you can see approximately 17 pages x double sided x approximately 200 rosters per year runs into quite an expense. All people renewing their memberships for 2003 will be sent membership packages minus the rosters until we come up with an equitable way of reproducing and distributing them.
If you haven't been on our website lately or were not aware of it, our website address has changed. Our site is now hosted by Texas Tech University at no expense to the Association and very little restrictions.
This was accomplished thru the efforts of the staff and management of TTU, the Vietnam Archives and our own webmaster Dan Schave.
If you haven't visited us on the web for awhile please drop by for some important information about the Association's activities. The new web address is at the bottom of this page.
THE TTU BOARD OF REGENTS CREATED THE VIETNAM CENTER AND THE VIETNAM ARCHIVES IN 1989. THE MISSIONS OF THE VIETNAM CENTER INCLUDE PROMOTING THE STUDY OF THE WARS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND SUPPORTING THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES OF THE VIETNAM ARCHIVES.
COMING SOON
We are pleased to announce that in the very near future there will be an addition to our Web Site. Currently Jim Matthews is working on putting together a pictorial history of B Troop 2/17 Cavalry Regiment and B Troop 17th Cavalry Regiment from it's creation in 1916 to present day. Anyone wishing to contribute information or copies of photographs, please contact Jim at 412-466-3557 or at jhmatthews1@verizon.net
We are in need of information and photos from pre Vietnam era, the 1968 era, DS/DS, Kosovo, Iraqi Freedom and anytime in between.
We learn at a very early age that saying goodbye to friends and family is very hard but unavoidable part of life. What makes it especially hard is if the friends or family members were especially close.
Earlier this year we were notified that Joe and Norma Cone will not be attending anymore reunions and Joe has to resign his office as our Association's Chaplain.
Joe and Norma were an invaluable asset to the Association and have unselfishly contributed to each reunion since we organized in Shelbina, Missouri. Joe stepped up to the task when we needed a Chaplain and preformed his duties admirably, especially the memorial services he organized.
Joe stated that several health problems pressured him into making this decision and the doctor told him that he was not going to get any better unless he totally relaxed, which means limited traveling.
We would like to thank both Joe and Norma for their dedication and participation at all of the Association's functions and we would like to wish Joe a speedy and hopefully a complete recovery from his illnesses.
We are all going to miss your smiling faces at any future gatherings.
The third person to inform us that he was moving on to better things was Dr. Ron Frankum, from the Vietnam Archives at TTU.
Ron has been attending our reunions since Las Vegas and is an Honorary Member of our Association. He also is partly responsible to setting up the idea of TTU hosting our website and taking a personal interest in the Banshee history.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ron for everything and him the best in his new position. We hope that he will keep in touch and possibly manage to attend a reunion or two.
We are certainly going to miss you also.
We informed you in the last Gazette issue, that there was an effort being made to pass a bill which will rename a portion of Ohio State Rte. 49 (Salem Ave.) to the Joseph Guy La Pointe Memorial Parkway. The bill did pass both sessions of the Ohio State Legislature and Gov. Bob Taft signed the bill on January 6, 2003 with the La Pointe family and guests present. (See photo on our website main page).
We are still hoping that the dedication of the newly named highway can be scheduled during our reunion next month, so we will let you know as soon as we get the word.
A TIP OF THE HAT IN CONGRADULATIONSTO GOV. BOB TAFT & REP. FRED STRAHORN
Gov. Bob Taft and the Ohio State Legislature should be commended for such a worthwhile effort and the speed in which it was accomplished. We would like to thank Rep. Fred Strahorn D-Dayton for sponsoring the bill originally and all of his efforts to insure that the bill passed.
This legislative action has to be close to, if not, the fastest passage of a law (excluding emergencies) in any state history.
We have been fortunate enough to have received two 2/17th Cavalry Newsletters that were sent from Iraq. Due to the length of each news-letter we are only going to reprint the messages from Sabre 6 (the Squadron CO) and the section pertaining to the Bansh'ees.
Sabre 6 Sends,
Howdy to all! Things are going extremely well here in the operation. You should be extremely proud of every trooper. We are doing some incredibly wonderful things here and every trooper has contributed to our outstanding success.
We've moved since we last wrote and the unit has been conducting split-based operations from separate locations in support of the war effort. We are finally together again and I believe everyone was really glad to have the unit "whole" again. With that comes our communications capability so we hope each trooper gets an opportunity to call again soon.
Don't let the news fool you. The Rakkasans have been getting a lot of press here but it hasn't been without the help of the "Out Front" squadron. We've worked closely with the Rakkasans on all the missions to date and will continue to do some great things for this division.
We hope you enjoyed the last newsletter and pictures. We are gathering more pictures for this newsletter so we hope you enjoy them.
Mail is always a huge morale builder so please keep the packages coming. The mail call is always an event that everyone looks forward to. Consumable items are always needed and desired.
Today we promoted SPC Barrett to SGT, CW3 Doug Ford to CW4 and pinned Senior Aviator Wings on CPT Worrell and CPT Cowan. Congratulations to all for their outstanding service and potential for greater service.
CPT John Rowell, our Australian Exchange Officer, has caught on quickly and grasped the realm of difficult responsibilities within the S3 shop. Too, our new Chemical Officer, 1LT Dave Ward is really working many issues with outstanding results; we're proud of him as he has really made his mark quickly and deeply. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the contributions of our Mississippi National Guard aviators augmenting our fighting force. All have been extremely professional and gracious with their talent. We're really glad they're here.
We say farewell to two fine officers and aviators, CW2 Chris Cundiff and CW2 Marla Woodson as they depart this week to return to the states to attend the Maintenance Officer Course at Ft. Rucker. We will miss them deeply as they move on to serve our Army elsewhere.
Our deepest regards to SFC Glenn and his family in the loss of his mother. You are in our prayers.
I assure you the unit is doing well and all the soldiers are in high spirits. We constantly think about you and really hope and pray we can finish this business very soon and return home to our families. I assure you that our unit will do some historic things and we'll return home with dignity and honor. I am so proud of this unit and its' accomplishments. We are a tight, competent unit capable of accomplishing nearly any task. We have accumulated more flight time, missions and enemy kills than any other unit in the division. We've even taken prisoners!
God Bless all at home, we miss you and can't wait to get home and have a few beers.
Sabre 06
BANSHEE TROOP SENDS:
As you can probably imagine, upon the start of hostilities Ban'shee Troop was called upon to carry out a mission in support of the Division's combat operations and overall movement north. In spite of the inherent danger that comes with such an operation, all the pilots are safe and in good spirits. As for the crew chiefs that stayed back at Camp Udairi, they are preparing for their movement north to link up with the pilots. They too are safe (despite all the hot dogs and rice that the kitchen still serves everyday for breakfast).
In the meantime, please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. It is your love and support-how it sustains us through these tough times-that will help bring us home safe and sound and sooner rather than later. So, please keep the mail and care packages coming-especially for our single soldiers that need some "Ban'shee" support. We will continue to stay in touch. However, please understand that mail from our end might be delayed for a little bit as a result of our movement. Despite that, please find comfort in knowing that we still think of you every step of the way. Thank you for your help and support.
Ban'shee 5
Sabre 6 Sends,
Greetings from Iraq! Things have been fast and furious since our last update and seem to be winding down just a little since the fall of the Saddam regime.
I must tell you that no other divisional unit has had such an impact on the success of the division than 2-17th Cavalry. Our unit has been hand selected by the Commanding General to participate in every Brigade Combat Team operation conducted by the division. In other words, during the Division's main effort of fighting, they have chosen us to be there to support the effort due to our timeliness, flexibility and lethality.
Since we started the war, the unit had flown over 1,200 hours. That is significant because it is over two times the hours we'd normally fly back at home. It is also significant because it requires the maintenance folks to work that much harder to ensure the aircraft are ready; kudos to E Troop and the maintenance folks for such incredible and standard-setting work.
Our Squadron has tallied more enemy equipment kills than any other unit in the Division; this includes the three Apache Battalions combined. Our unit's success and achievements are the result of long, hard training at Ft. Campbell in preparing for these conditions. We've developed a close working relationship with the Infantry Brigades and they have full confidence and trust in our ability to find and destroy the enemy with either our own weapons or by calling for artillery or Air Force Close Air Support. Our most noted success is our ability to find and destroy the Iraqi forces in the many cities where we've fought, i.e. urban terrain. Our reduced aircraft weight, weapons selection and aggressive, dynamic flight mode techniques have proven extremely successful. My hat is off to the aviators who have willingly and gallantly braved the combat test.
One of our most brilliant successes has been the combination of an outstanding 3-5 Platoon and a dedicated Armament Section. You wouldn't believe the resilience and responsiveness of this team of combat hardened troopers. The 3-5 Platoon and Armament Section have conducted sustained combat operations firing over 20,000 rounds of .50 caliber and over 650 rockets in support of the Squadron's efforts to support the divisional infantryman; a direct impact on the success of the mission. The Armament Section has maintained the guns and rocket pods far better than anticipated in the difficult and demanding desert conditions. Their work is unsurpassed.
We've not done this alone either. We have inherited some enablers to the team that have been significant contributors. Our Mississippi National Guard Aviators are flying alongside with us and making a note- worthy contribution. We have a Fire Support Element (artillerymen) that assists us in planning and coordinating fire support. We also have a signal team that helps us communicate across the battlefield and to home. Our maintenance is augmented by A Company, 8-101st Aviation which has an OH-58D maintenance section. They have truly added to the complete team.
All in all, this has been a highly successful deployment and the soldiers have performed miraculously. We know you have done a wonderful job in our absence and we're grateful for your support. We look (Continued Page 8) forward to our safe return to join our families again.
Sabre 06 "Out Front!"
BAN'SHEE 6 SENDS:
Hello to all. Everyone is still alive and doing very well here in beautiful Iraq. We've all had a chance to get a shower or two, and the dining facility folks in HHT have smuggled in enough rations to feed us four hot meals. Any chance to scrub off the grime and eat something other than an MRE is a chance to smile. Mail is still sporadic but very welcome, so keep sending those letters, cards, and packages.
Our two resident barbers, Greg Cooper and Dave Duran, are keeping us looking good. Most of us are going with "take it off the sides and back" or "take it all off", but our most style conscious Ban'shee, Al Jewett, is a little more demanding of our barbers. The only exception would be our accident prone XO, LT Anderson, who tried to give himself a haircut. He is now sporting the "cue ball" look. The "best deployment mustache" contest has just about run its course, with SPC Thomas winning the "Old Bill look-a-like" trophy. The contest was still going strong until a few days ago when we received a few pointed remarks from some of the Squadron higher ups. After the remarks, we decided to quit while we were ahead, and most people are back to the baby-face look.
We've got two budding McGuyvers in the Troop who keep us supplied with gadgets and devices. 1SG Garcia and Sam Voreis can always be found scrounging around for a piece of plywood, or a tent pole, or a cargo strap, or something similar in order to build us a new "thing". So far, they've built us a great little bathroom facility and a shower house.
Greg Cooper, JC Carter, SSG McWhorter, and SSG Martinez have done an amazing job at keeping the aircraft flying, despite the harsh environment and high op-tempo. Of course, nothing happens without the hard work of SGT Castro, SGT Gonzalez, SPC Crosby, SPC Hendrick, SPC Covian, SPC Parker, SPC Thomas, SPC Starrett, SPC Root, SPC Salvador, and SPC Crawford. The crew dogs are the true workhorses in the Troop, and they have done a phenomenal job of keeping the aircraft, trucks, generator, and other Troop equipment in top condition. The Troop Instructor Pilots, Paul Pedersen, Tim Merrell, and Al Jewett have done a great job at keeping the rest of us pilots straight, and they've even been able to work on a few RL progressions. The rest of the pilots, Scott White, Mike Blaise, Mike Young, Jeff Kimm, Dave Duran, Sam Voreis, and Murry Bledsoe are out flying every day, conducting some tough missions safely and professionally. And of course, my two Platoon Leaders, Mike Osmon and Monica Strye, along with 1SG Garcia, are always there to keep me straight. Overall, the Ban'shees have done some great things, and we've done them safely. You should all be very proud of the job they've done. As always, keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and we'll be home as soon as we can.
Ban'shee 6
NOTE: THE TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR RESERVATIONS HAS CHANGED. THE ONE BELOW IS CORRECT
The reunion for 2003 will be held in Dayton, Ohio at the request of Cynthia La Pointe and family.
The reunion will officially be from September 11th thru September 14, 2003 and we are trying to plan a list of activities too numerous to mention here. Some activities are listed on the website, but make sure you get a schedule of events when you arrive.
The reunion TOC will be at the Best Western Executive Hotel at I-75 and Needmore Road, in Dayton.
The hotel gave us a group rate of $58.00 per room with up to 4 persons per room.
Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-528-1234 or 937-278-5711. Be sure to tell them that it is for the B/2/17 reunion to get the group rate. All reservations must be made by August 11, 2003 to receive the group discount. Any room cancellations must be made by 4:00 PM the date you were scheduled to arrive for no charges to be added.
More information about the hotel by going on the Internet to: www.bestwestern.com/prop-36125.
You will or should have received a registration form or can download one from our website. Registration fee is $75.00 per attendee and must be sent in with your registration form. You will be assessed a $50.00 fee for each adult guest you bring, but this can be paid at a later date, but prior to the reunion.
Your registration fee will also include your reunion gift and pay for your Saturday night dinner/meeting.
I know there are many of you that live in Ohio and some of the surrounding states that have not been able to attend any of our prior reunions. This is a good opportunity for all of you to attend a reunion that isn't too far away. Whether you knew "Doc" La Pointe or not we would like to have a large showing of B Troopers attend our reunion in his hometown.
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SO HURRY UP, PACK YOUR BAGS…WE'LL SEE YOU IN DAYTON
The Banshee Gazette is the OFFICIAL PUBLICATION for B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry Association.