March 2021 Newsletter

Charlie Troop 1^st Squadron 9^th Cavalry Regiment

Thirsty-Six Newsletter

March 2021

The following Troopers gave their all during the month of March 1965- 1972:

Edward Kaneshiro              March 6, 1967

Ronald Johns                      March 15, 1968

Walter Panamaroff             March 15, 1968

Robert Smeal                      March 15, 1968

Bard Davenport                  March 27, 1969

Allan Harper                       March 27, 1969

William Potter                    March 27, 1969

John Waller                        March 27, 1969

Joel Hageman                     March 12, 1971

Van Joyce                           March 12, 1971

John Sundquist                   March 27, 1968 After reassignment to B Trp

The following Troopers, Troopettes, Gold Star Family members, Little Brothers and Little sisters have birthdays in the month of March:

Dexter Evans                     March 1

Carrie Kingman                 March 2 GSFM

Kathy Herron                   March 4

Teri Nave                         March 9 GSFM

Scotty Vinnigre                March 12 Honorary C Trooper

Richard “Reb” Herron     March 15

Don Gresham                   March 19

Grover Wright                  March 22

Tommy Betts                   March 24,

Becky Slye-Deboer         March 25 GSFM

Gail Guthrie                    March 25

Elizabeth Jelich                 March 25 GSFM

Art Harmon                       March 29

The following Troopers, Troopers and Gold Star Family members have anniversaries in the month of March:

Cecelia “Tina” Jelich-Frost and Norman Frost   March 15, 1979

Kurt and Patty Schatz    March 31,1984

Remember, at this reunion, if you want to tell a funny story about something that happened to you or someone else you can. Just make sure you check with the other Trooper to make sure it is okay with him.

The following story was written by: Mike De Rhone

I walked into a USAF club and was told to leave because I was filthy and grungy and not to come back until I cleaned myself up and got rid of those disgusting fatigues! ( I wasn’t in C Troop then) I looked at the club manager and asked for just one beer and he roared for me to leave! Back out the door I went pondering where and how I could get a COLD beer.

I then spotted a garden hose beside the building. AH HAH! I went over and was amazed to actually see a spigot! Twist turn. Out came a stream of water.

I removed my pistol belt. I took off my boots and cleaned the red dust and caked dirt off of them the best I could. Looked at my socks and smelled them. They got pitched. Well….if they smelled maybe the lifer in the club had a point. Off went my shirt. Yep! Stinky. Washed it but it still smelled. Draped it over a nail sticking out of the building and concentrated on making my pants a little more presentable.

Well after staring in the crotch area and noticing some camouflage down in there I decided that enough was enough.

 I put that hose over me and took what sand was nearby and gave myself a prairie shower! I then stood, sat, in the sun until I was almost completely dry. I put on my boots. Then my pistol belt. Then my beret at that cocky slant with the flash centered over the left eye and two fingers above the eye-brow and nothing else.

I thought I looked pretty spiffy! Back in the club I went. The club manager was behind the bar BS’ing with some more blue boys and looked up and saw me. His mouth dropped and his eyes bulged. His buddies had a mixed look of fear, shock, and WTH is wrong with this guy? Standing before a Master sergeant in the USAF I reported. “Master sergeant. I have obeyed your order to the letter. Now gimme a beer.” in my best NCO voice and killer face! The beer was put before me instantly.

 I retreated to a table and gulped it down. I then went and got another off of him finished it at the bar and ordered another which I took back to the table with me. This one I actually tasted and back to the bar I went. I interrupted his phone call ( real phones) and ordered another and headed back to the table. This one I sipped. While partaking of my R&R in walks four MP’s. I nodded. That air force dude was pointing at me. I figured he was upset about my appearance again. The MP’s approached me cautiously spreading out. (The old hey diddle diddle I’ll take the middle and you guys grab him from each flank play.) I stood up which halted their advance and asked what the problem was. I was told that I could not walk around wearing just a beret, pistol belt, and boots. I told them I completely understood but I thought they should inform the club manager of that. I was just obeying orders.

As with Nazi Germans that excuse didn’t fly with the “P’s” and they cuffed and stuffed me. They drove me back to the compound (good old Phu Bai!) and presented me to my commanding officer explaining where I had been and what I had done. He dismissed them and said he would handle it and me. (Oh Oh) I could see my rocker going right off of my sleeves.. Yes. I got my butt reamed (well not really) he was straight….(I think) …. was yelled at a lot with spittle coming onto my face and from “Top”. at the same time. After the butt chewing session with me being the main course I was told to get out of their sight and NEVER EVER do that again. I was at a rigid attention ……well most of me was……Gave my best Airborne, “YES SIR!” I think I said that. Executed a smart About Face and left the AO at a forced march pace. Funny thing though you know? I swear as I departed the area the whole orderly room was yupping it up. War. Very strange people in charge.

We have a new member added to our group. Abe Stice and his beautiful wife Suzanne. Abe served in Charlie Troop in 1967 as a Lift pilot. Abe and Suzanne plan on attending our reunion this September.

Update on our Little Brother Rafer. He is home with a million doctors appointments but he is doing well.

Here is the registration form for the September 2021 reunion:

Charlie Troop 1/9 Cav Thirsty-Six

Registration Form-2021 Reunion-Columbus, GA

September 25th, 26th and 27^th

Double Tree Inn

706-327-6868

Reservations for Charlie Troop 1/9 Cav