E-News – May 2019

Below is an extract from a much longer piece on The Last Ride of Chris Redman.This was prepared by the organizer of the event, Gary D. Cuda, H Co 2/11th ACR. The complete version of this memorable event, with many photos, can be found in our archive.

From Gary Cuda:

This is our (BHRCM) Blackhorse Regiment Cavalry Motorcycles patch.

It was in our interest to add, to the Florida and New York chapters of the BHRCM, the Last Ride event in which all Blackhorse can participate as we gather each year and celebrate our brotherhood. In future years, we may be adding Blackhorse to the Last Ride wall. To have this event as a celebration, instead of a mourning gathering, is the goal Maverick and I have set. I promised him that he would not be forgotten if we put this together correctly

This is the patch I created with Maverick to commemorate his last wish. I wanted something to inspire all of our Blackhorse family to come together each year (AS WE CAN) and have a celebration of life with our Blackhorse family.

Our caravan leader, Ray Simpson, connected with Blackhorse Brian Huggins in Kansas City. Brian and Ray led the caravan together from Kansas City thru St. Louis and on to Louisville. Their encampment arrived on March 7, 2019, awaiting the arrival of Maverick, who was restricted from traveling the long distance in a vehicle (he flew into Louisville). As of Kansas City, “the last ride” was officially a caravan and our Blackhorse family was only too willing to participate and cheer Maverick on. Everyone who participated made our inaugural 2019 event of the last ride a success!

A recent media article on the ride can also be found here.

During a recent visit to their old stomping grounds, Blackhorse Border Legion veterans Bill Hutton (H/2/11 ’74-’78, 2/11 S3 ’78, RS2 ’79, RBOC ’80-’81, A/1/11 ’81-’84, RS2 ’85) and Joel Parker (C Troop LT from the 80’s – he’s in the following photos) spent a week restoring an old, weather-beaten M113 and M-60 tank for display at Point Alpha. Bill and Joel prepped the M60 together. Joel did 75% of the sanding on the tank. Bill also painted an anti-aircraft halftrack by hand. Bill spent a month at Point Alpha on the various restorations. Below are Bill’s short notes about the restoration followed by before-and-after photos Bill sent of the M113 and the finished halftrack.

These are the tools used.

Actually, I started sanding the 113 with red cloth and an angle grinder with wire wheels. Clean the big crap, scratch the remainder, which gives the new paint something to adhere to… only problem is new stuff sometimes re-energized old material and causes pealing as it cures. Paint works best with like substances… new stuff is unique… so after prepping the surface, which starts with a pressure wash, paint prep, another wash then wipe with a cleaner it’s ready to paint. Lay down a coat, repeat! Three is best…

I used a two-part epoxy paint on the M2 after serious prep… it should ensure years of good looks even though exposed to the elements constantly… like us! Sand, scrape paint!

A hearty Blackhorse “Well Done” for contributing significantly to our legacy along the East-West Border!

First off, a shout out to all of you who purchased some of the initial run of 1901 Blackhorse Whiskey. The Armor and Cavalry Association took a chance on an expensive project to bring this tribute to the Regiment to market. The cost of copyrights and approval of the label by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is an expensive proposition. But thanks to those of you who bought some, over 1000 bottles have been purchased. The remaining bottles are going fast. Most of the remaining bottles have been shipped to Reed Beverage of Abilene and Amarillo. They are the only known distributor at this time other than the distillery (visit the Boundary Oak website via this link). There are a few cases left of the original production run. However, the distillery cannot ship directly, so you have to find someone who can buy it for you and deliver it, or find it at a distributor (and the only known one is listed above).

We would like to have a case or two for sale at the reunion in Las Vegas, but getting the bottles there would require someone to drive them from Kentucky to Las Vegas. If anyone is interested is doing this, please contact me (Clint Ancker, banditsix@aol.com) and we’ll try to set something up. If you would like to do this, I need to know soon to make arrangements before the last of the bottles are shipped out.

The other issue is that the original run is just about sold out. The possibility exists of another 400 bottles if there is enough interest. If you are interested in seeing the next 400 bottles, please contact the distillery and indicate your interest.