HawkTalk7th Armored Squadron 1st Air Cavalry

Blackhawks

ANIMO ET FIDE

DirectorBrad Schultzbradlyschultz@sbcglobal.netAssistant Director Ben Bentley 123vrl@mchsi.comTreasurer Roland Leedsrleeds@dapcoind.comSecretary Don SharpDsharp939@earthlink.net

Directors at largeEddie G. Walker eddwalker1@comcast.netRichard E. Thompson dmmajil@yahoo.comDavid L. Hall dandshall2001@sbcglobal.net

Quartermaster Richie Kloepfer AtrpGrunt@aol.comMembership John Little little71671@sbcglobal.netWebmaster Lou “Sandy” Sanders lou@sandersusa.comHistorianEdward Thomas thomasfamily@clearwire.netEditorDave “spot” Lemieux vnvspot@comcast.net

Courtesy Ed Walker

Reunion 2010 Fortworth Texas

by

Ed Thomas and Bradley Schultz

September 16 - 19

Radisson Hotel Fort Worth North-

Fossil Creek

2540 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth

TX 76106

Reservations (817) 625 9911(866) 340-7411 US Toll Free

http://www.radisson.com/ftworthtx_northRoom Rate $99.00/night

National Director Bradly Schultz

The months have moved faster than I care for. If time in Viet Nam had gone by as fast, it would have been nice. In just what will seem like weeks it will be time for our next Reunion in Fort Worth, Texas. This year we will be meeting in September, in hopes for cooler weather. We all need to be contacting the other members we know, either by phone, Internet or writing. We don’t ask members that are behind or not current with their dues to catch up on past years but would like them to get current for this year. The Reunions seem to be getting better and better, as we remember the good times and laugh as the stories get changed by our passing memories. If anyone has a question that comes to mind, email any of the of-ficers or directors as we have set up a new way to communicate with each other. We need to be setting up our vacations for next year and before we know it September will be here. You know the Reunions have reached a lot of men and I’m hopeful 2010 will reach more. As the year 2009 is about to come to an end, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone next year plus new faces of those who have yet to attend the Reunions. I would like to take this time to ask everyone to be with thankful hearts and enjoy the holiday season. May God Bless each and everyone of you and the USA. See you in 2010.. Bradly Schultz

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BLACKHAWK ASSOCIATION 2010 REUNIONSeptember 16 -19FORT WORTH TXEd Thomas and Bradley SchultzSeptember 16 - 19

Hotel: Radisson Ft Worth North - Fossil Creek 2540 meacham Blvd. (817) 625-9911 (reservations) or www.radisson.comm/ftworthtx_north Room Rate $99.00 / nightThursday morning – GolfFriday morning --11 am - 5 pm Stockyards/ Shopping/ other Dinner at Billy-Bobs in the old town stock yardsSaturday morning -- Business Meeting 0900; Day free to tour citySaturday evening -- 6:30 BanquetSunday morning – Check Out

Listed below are all registration, event and banquet costs for the reunion. Send completed form and check or money order payable to “ Blackhawk Association”Send to: Blackhawk Association Reunion C/O Roland Leeds 1140 Chestnut St Ann Arbor, MI 48104All registration forms and payments are requested by Sept. 2, 2010. After that date, reservations will be accept-ed on availability most often last minute hotel rooms and dinner are possiable. Per # of Total Person People AmountRegistration Fee: (covers administrative & $ 25 X ______ = ______ Hospitality expenses)Bus to Billie - Bobs - Banquiet Dinner $ 55 X ______ = ______

Banquet Buffet $ 50 X ______ = ______

Total Amount = _______ Name: _________________________________Troop: _____Years Served (i.e. 66-73)_______ (for name tag) email address____________________________________

Spouse and/or guest(s) name:_____________________________________________________ Street Address, City, St. & Zip:___________________________________________________ Disability or dietary restrictions?__________________________________________________

Emergency Contact (name & phone #) ____________________________________________ Arrival Date: _________________________Departure Date:____________________

Are you staying at the Radisson ? _________

Suggestions for a better stay or a more enjoyagle trip.

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William J. Bennett, in a lecture to the United States Naval Academy November 24,1997 said: Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident. We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.

Then there are the wolves and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy. Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial. Then there are sheepdogs, and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf. If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the uncharted path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed. We know that the sheep live in denial; that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kids schools. But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid’s school. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep’s only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard, and so they chose the path of denial. The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, can not and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheep dog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representa-tive democracy or a republic such as ours. Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn’t tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports, in camouflage fatigues, holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, Baa. Until the wolf shows up; then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog. The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough high school students, and under ordinary circumstances they would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them. This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf is at the door. Look at what happened after September 11, 2001, when the wolf pounded hard on the door. Remember how America, more than ever before, felt differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel? Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheep-dogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed, right along with the young ones. Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, Thank God I wasn’t on one of those planes. The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference. You want to be able to make a difference. There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the population. There was research conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious, predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement officers. The vast majority said that they specifically targeted victims by body language: slumped walk, passive behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd that is least able to protect itself. Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I’m proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs. Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When they learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd and the other passengers confronted the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers, athletes, business people and parents from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.

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BLACKHAWK ASSOCIATION Mail to: rleeds@dapcoind.comMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / RENEWAL FORM Roland LeedsNEW RENEWAL ADDRESS CHANGE 1140 Chestnut StAnnual Dues Enclosed $25.00 Ann Arbor MI 48104Life Membership Enclosed $250.00 Make Check or Money order Payable To:Associate Membership Enclosed $25.00 “BLACKHAWK ASSOCIATION”

NAME________________________________________________________

SPOUSES NAME_______________________________

ADDRESS_____________________________________________________

CITY___________________________________________STATE_________ZIP

EMAILADDRESS _________________________________________Please keep up to date

HOME PHONE_______________________WORK/CELL PHONE ________________

TROOP_____ RANK______ PLATOON________CALL SIGN_______________

YEAR SERVED WITH UNIT___________

There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men. Edmund Burke Only the dead have seen the end of war. Plato Here is the point I like to emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I speak to each year. In nature the sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep. Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They didn’t have a choice. But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you want to be. It is a conscious, moral decision If you want to be a sheep, then you can be a sheep and that is okay, but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you. If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have rest, safety, trust or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior’s path, then you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door. This business of being a sheep or a sheep dog is not a yes-no dichotomy. It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-sand-sheep and on the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between. Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors and the warriors started taking their job more seriously. It’s OK to be a sheep, but do not kick the sheep dog. Indeed, the sheep dog may just run a little harder, strive to protect a little better and be fully prepared to pay an ultimate price in battle and spirit with the sheep moving from baa to thanks. We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. We just need a small pat on the head, a smile and a thank you to fill the emotional tank which is drained protecting the sheep. And when our number is called by The Almighty, and day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens just may be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep. And be grateful for the thousands, millions of American sheepdogs who permit you the freedom to express even bad ideas.

May God richly bless all the Sheepdogs of America!

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Abercrombie WinstonAhlburg Richard R.Allen Charles H.Allen Willie L.Jr.Angus A. L.Antonelli Michael T.Avery GeorgeBarker JosephBenton Amos D.Blair Robert L.Boyce George R.Briggs Carroll G.Bryan WilliamBurnside Robert C.Burton Raymond B.Caione Raymond G.Canedy Charles E.Carter ThomasCarter Robert W.Cassell John J.Chalfin Timothy W.Clarke StephenConley HowardCook Bunny R.Crall RobertDarbyshire LawrenceDavidson Hugh A. Davis EugeneDeClue Charles E.Deible Jack H.Deloach Steve R.Derrick George

Downing Earnest R.JrEvans John L.Fleming Robert G.Gaulden William C.Goodin Robert C.Graham David L.Grissom Harold W.Haddix RexHarrington John M. Jr.Harvey PerceHearn Donald R.Heller Blaine E.Heltne Glen J.Henkle Roger S.Hildreth John P.Hill Gregory L.Hinton Melton L.Jamison Terry R.Johnson DeanJohnson Donald E.Joiner Robert B.King LawrenceKunishi John T.Lanier RexLarson DarwinLavergne ClementeLee Eddie T.Lee EnosLeftwich Melvin T.Manuel RobertMarentette KennethMarriott Wesley G.

Mauldin Howard W.Meldrum MichaelMcDade LindseyMeades LarryMitchell RolandMolina JulioMorales ArthurMoroz CharlesMorris Peter P. Morrison James E.Moseley Albert D. Murphy MichaelMurray Gerald E.Nemetz John J.Newman RonnieNolan HalNorris Richard A.Nygent Ronald O.Orebough John B.Ostheller RalphPaluti Raymond L.Parks TomPerry William H.Phillips Donald LPitts Reginald L.Popplewell James A.Prince Charlie Quigley Dallas M., Jr.Rhodelhamel KurtRice Fred A.Saunders Gordon L.Sedante James R. Sr.

Shallcross GeorgeSheaffer PhillipSimerman WayneSingley Harold E. Jr.Smith Joseph CSmith James F.Smith Robert L.Spinks Robert W.Stephens Herschel B.Storck Fred AStratton Arthur.Stubblefield Fred W.Stuart Robert M.Tarver James L.Tate Audley M. Jr.Thompson Lonnie A.Trent Ben Jr.Turner Thomas W.Tyner Henry T.UNKOWN Valant Daniel F.Vest Dale M.West Frederick R.WhiteBuffalo Kermit J.Williams Luis A.Wilson Jimmy D.Winword Mike Wolfe GregoryWood MichaelWoodward Milton A.

SILENT SPURS

Blackhawk Association Web SiteLouis E. Sanders Webmaster

14735 Wyrick Ave San Jose, Ca. 95124 (408) 371-8358

www.blackhawk6.com

Comments to: webmaster@blackhawk6.comIt is very important that members update their information in a timely manner.

BLACKHAWK SIX DOT COM

page 6

Our Blackhawk KIA listPFC Roy W. Duncan February 28, 1968 KingbirdWO1 Vernon L Leuning March 4, 1968 ApachePFC Richard Allen Rathburn March 16, 1968 DutchmasterSP4 Carl L Hill Jr April 4, 1968 ComancheSP4 John R Hendrix April 5, 1968 DutchmasterSP4 Robert E Lea April 26, 1968 ComancheSSG Franklin R Du Long April 28, 1968 DutchmasterSP4 Lebron Rodriguez May 4, 1968 Powder ValleySP4 Arthur T Krammer May 4, 1968 Powder ValleySP4 Donald E Nipper May 4, 1968 DutchmasterCPT William D Nixon May 8, 1968 ComancheSP4 Carl R Huttula May 16, 1968 Comanche1LT William C Ahouse June 8,1968 Powder ValleySFC Bennie E Hodges June 27, 1968 DutchmasterCWO Melvin R White June 27, 1968 DutchmasterSGT Michael Allen Beals July 15, 1968 DutchmasterCPT Robert H Hering August 19, 1968 ComancheSGT Robert B Purtell August 19, 1968 ComancheSP4 James E Marlow September 17, 1968 Powder ValleyPV2 Jose J Ortiz-Negron November 24, 1968 Powder ValleyWO1 William W Breece December 5, 1968 ApacheSP4 Steven J Perry December 28, 1968 KingbirdSP4 Gary D Falk January 4, 1969 DutchmasterWO1 Fredie Niclys Chase March 14, 1069 DutchmasterCPT John P Lyon April 18, 1969 DutchmasterWO2 Keith Dobson Allen JR April 13, 1969 ApacheWO1 Wilfred F Schmidt JR April 13, 1969 Apache CPT Robert G Boucher April 20,1969 ApacheSP5 Gerald Thomas Breeno JR October 10 1969 3rd/5thWO1 Conrad Jack Wheeler October 10 1969 3rd/5thSP4 Mark J Hansen April 26, 1969 ApacheSP4 Duane C Bowen May 28, 1969 Powder ValleyWO1 Stokkerman Jon William November 2, 1969 DutchmasterSP4 Saunders Keith Frank November 2, 1969 DutchmasterPFV Williams Johnny November 2, 1969 DutchmasterSP5 Wilton Padier JR November 25, 1969 3rd/5thSP4 Ranson John Norment December 22, 1969 DutchmasterCPT Stewart Robbins Moody January 02, 1970 3rd/5thWO1 Richard Terrance Derosier January 03, 1970 3rd/5thSP4 Nathaniel Thomas January 24, 1970 Apache

SGT Michael D Puetz February 11, 1970 DutchmasterWO1 Fred E Carrington February 11, 1970 DutchmasterPFC Lopez Jose Santos March 11, 1970 Powder ValleyPFC Donnie S Bartlett March 11, 1970 Powder ValleySP4 John W Luttrell March 11, 1970 Powder ValleyPFC Lester P Saba March 11, 1970 Powder ValleySP4 Albert W Haslam March 15, 1970 3rd/5thE4 Charles Dewann Slayton May 09, 1970 3rd/5thSP4 William Joseph Golden May 10, 1970 DutchmasterSP4 Gary A Turnbull May 10, 1970 ComancheSP4 John W Merschman May 10, 1970 ComancheCPT Eddie Molino Jr May 10, 1970 ComancheMAJ Allan L Smith May 10, 1970 ComancheSP4 William J Golden May 10, 1970 DutchmasterCW1 Albert B Crouch May 18, 1970 DutchmasterWO1 Donald G Lukens May 25, 1970 Dutchmaster1LT Wiltse L Weber July 24, 1970 DutchmasterCPT William J Hodges Sr September 21, 1970 DutchmasterCW2 Robert W Grebby September 21, 1970 DutchmasterSP5 John Martinez December 18, 1970 DutchmasterCPT Floyd D Solomon December 18, 1970 DutchmasterCW1 Gary Leslie Bartels December 18, 1970 DutchmasterPFC Paul Darby January 16, 1971 Powder ValleyCPT David N Fox February 8, 1971 DutchmasterSP4 Joseph W Miley February 8, 1971 Dutchmaster1LT Babcock Ronald Lester February 27, 1971 DutchmasterSFC Mooney, Fred February 27, 1971 DutchmasterSP5 Thomas H Ratliff March 29, 1971 ApacheSP4 Joseph L Armstrong April 7, 1971 ComancheCW2 Billie J Wilson April 7, 1971 ComancheCPT Philip D Sharp May 23, 1971 DutchmasterSP4 Henry D Adkins May 23, 1971 DutchmasterWO1 Allan J Dyer July 17, 1971 ApacheSP4 Allen E Noble July 17, 1971 ApacheSP4 John H Lopochonsky July 17, 1971 ApacheSP4 Nelson Curtis Lee August 28, 1971 Dutchmaster1LT Rueppel Ronald Benton September 27, 1971 DutchmasterCPT Bruce Alton Cannon September 7, 1971 3/5SP4 Jimmie David Hinton September 7, 1971 3/51LT Welch Michael John January 25, 1972 DutchmasterSGT Sammy Lane Weaver March 19, 1972 ApacheCW0 Hummel John Floyd November 13, 1978 DutchmasterCW0 Milliner William Patrick December 6, 1978 Dutchmaster

Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association ®(VHCMA)™

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

Reno NV 07 Jack Danials visitor center 08 Washington D.C. 09Fort Rucker AL 06 Fort Worth TX 2010

page 7

BLACKHAWK ASSOCIATIONMerchandise Order Form

MemberPrices

Non Member

Prices

Sub Total

Black Three Season Jacket with emblem embroidered on backSizes M_____ L_____ XL_____ 86.00 94.002XL_____ 3XL_____Long Sizes _____ 96.00 104.00Black Lightweight Jacket with emblem embroidered on backSizes M_____ L_____ XL_____ 58.00 68.002XL_____ 3XL_____Long Sizes _____ 66.00 72.00Windbreaker with Lg emblem embroidered on backSizes M_____ L______ XL______ 65.00 70.002XL______ 3XL_______ 75.00 80.00Black and Grey tweed polo, emblem embroidered on left / with pocket onlySizes M_____ L_____ XL_____ 30.00 33.002XL_____ 3XL_____ 33.00 36.00Grey Polo with emblem embroidered on left / no pocketSizes M_____ L_____ XL_____ 27.00 30.002XL_____ 3XL_____ 30.00 33.00Add pocket 2.00 3.00T- Shirts with emblem embroidered on leftColor --- Green_____ Tan_____ Black_______Sizes M_____ L_____ XL_____ 15.00 18.002XL_____ 3XL_____ 17.00 20.00Add pocket 2.00 3.00Black, Blackhawk Caps with emblem and LetteringMesh Back_______ 14.00 16.00Black, Blackhawk Caps with helicopters & crossed sabers on frontMesh Back_______ Solid Back______ 14.00 16.00Grey Cap with helicopters , solid back only. 15.00 17.00Blackhawk coffee mugs with the Blackhawk emblem # _____ 9.00 10.00Blackhawk OD patch (1 ea.) # _____ 4.00 5.00Blackhawk bumper sticker ( 1 ea. ) # _____ 3.00 3.507th of the 1st Blackhawk crossed sabers, brass (pair) # _____ 12.00 13.00Blackhawk crest ( pair ) # _____ 14.00 15.00Blackhawk 3 “ color patch # _____ 5.00 6.00Blackhawk 8” color patch # _____ 15.00 16.00

TOTALMake checks payable to: BLACKHAWK ASSOCIATION (NOTE SHIPPING IS INCLUDED ON ALL MERCHANDISE)Mail to: Blackhawk Association, 2 Manderley Ln., Ormond Beach, FL. 32174 Phone # 386-615-0635

NAME ________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS _________________________ CITY __________________________

STATE ____________________ ZIP_______________

PHONE__________________________E-MAIL ADDRESS_____________________________

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Blackhawk Association7th Armored Squadron 1st Air CavalryC/O Roland Leeds 1140 Chestnut St Ann Arbor MI 48104

Postmaster, Time Sensitive Material Please Do Not Delay Return Service

Requested

WINTER EDITION FEB. 2010

HAWKTALK