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I met up with George Shriver in Lawton, OK. (Fort Sill) and on 12 June George and I took off for the reunion at Ft. Hood, TX. (Killeen).  We arrived at the Plaza Hotel parking lot in fine shape where George immediately started hollering at old buddies ('Tiny' and Ken Olson, 9th Cav. Vietnam vets.), before we even got parked!!  A lot of fine troopers were there.

Now, I may get a few things out of the correct order and I may omit some things (hell, I AM getting old after all!), but not on purpose (well, I am getting old on purpose!).  Once we got checked in, we went to the 9th Cav. Hospitality Suite and had something cold to drink and had a few 'munchies'.  George continued to renew some old acquaintances and I made some new ones!

Later that same day (the 12th), we made it to the welcoming mixer and at one point we met up with Aves Thompson (a 7th Cav. alumni that I became acquainted with via my web site).  If memory serves me correctly, Aves had seen Tom Crews earlier but we had yet to meet up with Tom and his wife JoAnn - I am not real sure when we first met up with Tom and JoAnn (see excuse above!).  In any case we did meet up with them and it too was a pleasure meeting and spending time with them although not enough time to really visit, probably my fault as much as anyone's.  There was just way to much to see and do in so short a time, I apologize to Tom and his lovely wife for my lack of attention, I thought we had more time, more on this later.

The evening of the 12th we went to the Welcoming Mixer and I think that might be when we met up with Aves (rhymes with 'saves').  That was an interesting experience to say the least, I met up with an 8th Cav. Korea vet, circa 50 - 51 (not real sure of the years), who apologized for losing the colors.  I had to assure this poor Trooper that the 8th Cav., while almost decimated to the man did NOT lose the colors - the 8th Cav. Was NOT a 'color bearing' unit to begin with so there was no way that they could be blamed for anything, quite the contrary, I told him to "Stand proudly" as he was a survivor and a damn lucky one at that, and he had NOTHING to apologize for.  An excerpt from the link that follows; "On 06 November, the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment ceased to exist as a unit.  It died gallantly.  More than 600 officers and men were lost at Unsan, most of them from the 3rd Battalion".  Click HERE for the full story!   No 1st Cavalry Division unit has ever lost the colors.  If you want to pick the fly specks out of the pepper, the 7th Cav. (Custer), lost them at "The little Big Horn", but the 7th Cav. was NOT a 1st Cavalry Division unit at that time.  The 1st Cavalry Division was not formed until 1921, just a little bit after Custer's fiasco!

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The Motley Crew!
L - R, Aves Thompson, Myself, George Shriver.

Anyway, a few folks came up to me and said they enjoyed the web site many times over the last several years, one even said the he had maps of 'our area' from 'our time' and would send me a copy (we shall see, I sure hope so!!  His name was on the list that I lost!!)  UPDATE: 7-5-03, I found him or rather he found me, Paul Smith, 8th Cav. Medic, 1959-1960. Other than no seating for the infirmed (sick, lame and lazy, blind crippled and crazy!), I think a good time was had by all, I know I had a blast.

13 June started early as we got up and went to Ft. Hood where a 'division run' was had my many, even some our vets joined in.  I believe the run included General Peterson, but don't hold me to that, George can make corrections and fill in the blanks where necessary.  Following the run, we were fed from a mobile kitchen and while yes, it was army chow, other than the bacon being a little greasy (what bacon isn't?), I could not find fault with it (I was a cook my last 2+ years of service).  They just needed 3 kitchens to feed that many folks in a timely manner.

After breakfast we located 9th Cav. BN. HQ. And went for a visit, Aves took off and looked up his old 7th Cav. unit.  We 9th Cav. vets met some very fine troopers, from the Squadron (now Battalion), Commander, Lt. Col. MacDonald to Sgt. Major Eddie Gilbert, and many other fine Officers and non-coms.  Again we were given the royal treatment by all.  Let me interject here that several times during our stay, at functions (lunches, dinners, etc), and while at 9th Cav. HQ. I heard us referred to as "heroes", "you are the ones who set that standards that we today must live up to" and so on.  Sometimes it was said to the group, other times it was said to me personally.  I know they were 'blowing smoke' and yes it was said with sincerity, but, after 40 some years of apathy from many, to finally get some recognition and respect for what we did brought tears to my eyes and I choked up on more than one occasion, and to hear this over and over not only from E-8's and 9's but from Company Commanders and Field Grade Officers was just a little much for this old Trooper!!  1st Team!!

For lunch this day, George Tom and JoAnn and I had joined the Korea War Veterans (they were the closest to our service), we were warmly received by our brother Korean War vets, no hostile intrusion was felt (at least by me).  When I checked in I was met by Bob Johnson, 1st Vice President of the Association and he told me all about the KDSM.  In fact, the lunch handout had the KDSM graphic and write-up similar to what one will find on the KDVA web site.  I then  told him of my involvement with the KDVA (Charter, Life Member and past SoPac Director, etc.).  At introductions we all stood for our units and times served - he also had me stand and said something about my having a major role in helping to get the KDSM, I pointed out to the assembly that literally thousands (KDVA members and supporters), helped us get the KDSM.  He now wants me to write a column for the Saber for 'our' time in the 'Z'.  I told him my plate was full but that I would ask the group if we have a volunteer, please, someone here needs to enlighten those still in the dark.  The war, 1950 to 1953 is still getting press, but not our defense service, 1954 to present day!  We are still the "Forgotten Warriors of the Forgotten War"! 

That evening we had a Texas style BBQ, they do if 'funny' in Texas, no BBQ sauce was seen, it was AWOL, even so it was very GOOD!!  Again, a good time was had by most (some did grip about the AWOL BBQ sauce (grin), and more people to yammer with. NOTE: I think that is the difference between Texas BBQ and "Memphis Style" BBQ!!  Texas BBQ falls under "Kansas City style", dry rub, whereas "Memphis Style" uses sauce.

14 June, our last day of activities, I don't remember the start of the day but I do know that George and I spent a good part of it at the museum and gift shop.  I did purchase a new Stetson and I am not sure that I will wear it until I can put a KDSM hat pin on it!!  If I don't wear it, I may croak before the pins become available, so, don't hold me to that!  Today we had the 9th Cav. Lunch at the 'O' Club at Ft. Hood. Tom and JoAnn Crews, George Shriver and I and several 9th Cav. Troopers were at our table and I must confess, while I had a good time I forget what we ate, I think it was Prime Rib!  After lunch, Tom and JoAnn said their goodbyes, I was sad to see them leave so soon but they had business elsewhere.  A very good presentation was put on for us, a video on CD on what the Cav. Has done, is doing now and plans for the future. 

After the 'movie' introductions were made of present and past officers, there were 3 former Squadron Commanders present, each stood in turn and announced their name, rank and when they commanded the Squadron, the first 2 stood and I heard them perfectly, both I think were 'Nam vets, the third I could not hear worth a ____ until he said 'Korea DMZ', I looked at George and he shrugged as did I as I did not recognize squat.  After the closing I went to get pictures of the 3 former squadron commanders, one had left already, I got one of one of the Vietnam vets and the third was about to leave, I walked up to him (the Korea DMZ squadron commander) and his name tag said "Myron T. Johnston 1-9 Cav. 5/59 - 7/60".  My old squadron commander!!!  I about fell over!!  We had a good chat until he HAD to leave with a promise to get together at the banquet later that night.  Prior to his leaving he told me of his misfortune of losing most of what he brought back from Korea, maps, DI And many other items, all gone after many moves, very sad indeed!

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Col. (Ret.) Johnston
1st Rcn. Squad. CO. - Korea 1959-1960

The banquet was 'a bit of all right', good prime rib just the way I like it!!!  I met quite a few more real good folks, won't go into all that now.  Maj. General Peterson made an impressive speech and some of the other things that went on that night are a blur, George will have to fill us in on the rest of that night as my attention was diverted for a while by one of our tablemates and his tales.  During intermission I grabbed a set of the DMZ Police Company DI's and a shoulder tab and looked up Col. Johnston and presented them to him, he was most happy to receive them and said so as he had not seen any like them for over 40 years.  Intermission ended too soon and so that visit too was cut short and it was back to my table for more falderal and so on.  After the festivities closed for the evening I excused myself to go find General Peterson and get his picture.  When I did locate him, there was a line of picture takers so it took a while, when my turn came I asked him if I could get his picture, he politely said "Wouldn't you rather have one of my lovely wife?", I don't remember my exact words but said I would, but I still wanted one of him!  He called his  wife Ann over and introduced me to her and I then took a picture of the happy couple and then he had me give my camera to his aid, Capt. Fox (who was also the C.O. of "F" Troop) and he would take a picture of the 3 of us, the General, his wife Ann and I - they got on either side of me and squeezed in tight for the shot. I informed General Peterson that I was much better on the other side of the camera as I have a lousy smile and while it may not look it, inside I am smiling from ear to ear, the biggest grin he would never see.  Thank you General and Ann Peterson, a night I will not soon forget!!

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L - R, Ann Peterson, Myself (Big smile!) and Major General Peterson.

George and I left the next morning; I regret that we did not go back to the 9th Cav. Hospitality suite after last nights banquet as we had planned, old minds get feeble and we lost out on meeting up again with some that we promised to meet up with that night..  Oh well..  I am sure that had we done that, I would now have some email and postal addresses that I need!!!

Almost everyone that I met personally got one of my 'business cards' and or one of my KDVA cards. All (well, most really) said they would drop by the web site(s) and leave a note.  I gave out over 150 cards total, mostly to the officers that I met including Col. MacDonald, Col. Johnston (Ret.) Gen. Peterson and many others...  I informed them "Everyone is welcome at Cavalry Country", and they are!!

Again, I can not convey the feeling that the active army bestowed upon us, to say it was GREAT would be a gross understatement!!  Words escape me; all I can say now is; and I SHOUT IT, "1st Team!!!"

On another note, we were informed "The Cav. Never deployed to the Gulf" this time, only the 3 units that we already know about deployed, the rest never were on ships or anywhere but Ft. Hood!

And yes I did get to shake the hands of and welcome back, and get pics of our 2 'chopper pilots', CWO's Williams and Young!!  Glad to have them and the rest of the POW's back and I told them so...

I tried several times to locate Harry Boudreau (Div. Assn, historian) and never was successful, I really wanted to meet up with him and shake his hand.  Harry has helped me with the web site among everything else he has done for us all!!

I need to write the Assn. and give them thanks for a bang-up job, the reunion could not have been any better. UPDATE: Done!

Letters will go out to Col. MacDonald and General Peterson as soon as I get their postal address...  UPDATE: Done!

Many busy days ahead!!!

Finally, I think it was on the 13th we were told that our troops in Korea were being pulled back 35 clicks from the 'Z' and that it started that morning.  No more US troops forward deployed once this move is completed...  In my way of thinking, that means the JSA at Panmunjom etc...

Now an update from my buddy George Shriver;

This is just some add-on information to clarify some of John's mission report.

Division Commander, General Peterson did indeed lead the "division run" at 0700, Saturday morning.  Each unit, at the troop or company level fielded one full platoon for the 5 mile circular run, including all the support units.  Each unit passed by the review area with their unit flags with battle streamers and guideons held high.  So there were well over 500+ in the run.  The division band was set-up and played the entire time.  News crews were there recording and doing interviews.

The rest of the divisions personnel where in their BDUs and were in line with us to get some chow.  The line was very, very, long.  That's why John said they could have set-up at least two more of the Army's new field kitchens.  After about two hours, the cooks managed to feed all.

After the run, all the top brass and NCOs came into the chow tent area where we were eating breakfast.  They mingled from table to table, spending a few minutes with each.  If you didn't have a program of who was who in the officers and top NCO crop, it was hard to tell who you were talking to.  They were all dressed alike.  Morning PT is not performed in combat boots and fatigues anymore.  Each Trooper now falls out with tennis shoes, running shorts, and Army T-shirt and a mash vest with reflective material.  A few of the officers and non-coms wore their rank and name on these vest with magic marker; most did not.  General Peterson wore no rank and looked and acted pretty much like all the rest.  One hell of a nice guy who was very interested in our enjoyment.

By the way, one of the breakfast items served up that morning was S.O.S, made especially for us.  It seems that this food item is rarely seen in the Army anymore.

The 1st of the 7th Cav is now the division's Recon. Squadron.  That's Custer's old unit and the unit of subject in the book and movie "We Were Soldiers".  Their makeup is very similar to the 9th's in the days of the DMZ, but with a combination of armor and helicopters.  Since it's reorganization back into the 1st Cavalry Division, the 1st of the 9th Cav. has been strictly a mounted infantry unit.  So they are known as 1st Battalion, 9th Cav. with four line companies, A, B, C and D.  However, in some strange twist there are two additional "Troops" under the 1st of the 9th banner.  They are another D Troop and F Troop both made up of all scouts... land and air scouts with about sixty men in each Troop.  These two units serve as the 3rd Brigade recon units, which the 9th is part of. Later this year, the Army will be "down sizing" many of their units.  The 9th will lose one company, 'D' company.  The two Troops will be renamed something else.

Hope I have not made this more confusing than before

George M. Shriver

B Troop Scouts, 1st Recon. Sqn. 9th Cav.

George, thanks for filling in some of the gaps!

To the 1st Cavalry Division Association, thanks for a superb job on putting this event together!

To the men and women of the active 1st Cavalry Division, from Pvt. Gonzales to Major General Peterson, Thank You all, you outdid yourselves.  This old Trooper will never forget you and your most gracious hospitality!!

May God Bless you all!!

                                                                                        - John A. Maclean-

P.S. For those of you that asked and for some that wondered, my 'ol bucket of bolts (The 'Cavalry Country Hummer') made the 4,000+ mile trip with no problems at all!!