Charlie Troop 1st Squadron
9th Cavalry Regiment -Thirsty-six
April 2022 Newsletter
The following is a list of Our Brothers who Gave Their All during the month of April 1966-1972:
John Jelich (Ctrp 68-69); KIA Apr 1, was with D 229th AHB on 4-1-72
50 years ago today.
Richard Noyola KIA Apr 11, 1966
Earl Grove KIA Apr 10, 1967
Alton Roberts KIA KIA Apr 13, 1971
Always Honored and Never Forgotten
The following Troopers, Troopettes, Gold Star Family members, Little Brothers and Little sisters have birthdays in the month of April:
Brandon Wood April 2 Little Brother
Bob Fellin April 2
Kurt Schatz April 3
Ernie Cairns April 10
Marianne Hundley April 16
Brooks Jelich April 18
Alice Davidson April 19
James “Toby” Tyler April 19
Jerry Schmotolocha April 24
John Niamtu April 24
Elaine Allcut April 24
Jacob Best April 24 Little Brother
Bruce Huffman April 26
The following Troopers, Troopettes and Gold Star Family members have anniversaries in the month of April:
Dave and Ginny Blouin April 4 52 years see Attach #1
Marvin and Sandy McMichael April 19 53 years see Attach #2
Greg and Carrie Titchenell April 24 12 years see attach #3
Ernie and Rose Cairns April 27 44years see Attach #4
Gene and Anne Smith April 30 51 years See Attach #5
I start out this newsletter with the news of Claude Singletary passing. Claude was a sergeant in the Blues 68-69. He was highly respected by all of us who served with him. For those sending a card the address : Jean Singletary 305 S. Friendfield Road, Scranton, SC 29591 :See Attach #6
Remember that our reunion this year is in August and not September. Make sure to reserve your rooms.
Also, make sure when you fill out you form that you indicate whether you will or will not be riding the bus.
Our numbers are starting to dwindle. Our history therefore is in jeopardy. I am planning on taking the stories that I have permission to post on my blog and make a pamphlet. This pamphlet will be than be sent to TTU for inclusion into the Vietnam Archives and it will also be sent to the 1st Cavalry Museum for inclusion into the 1st of the 9th display. If any of you have a story, funny, scary, whatever, write it up and send it to me. Also, if you prefer not to have your stories sent to TTU or the 1st Cavalry Museum please let me know.
It is important that if you have not talked to your children and grandchildren about your time in Vietnam, NOW is the time to do so. You do not have to make your talk graphic. Without our children and grandchildren knowing what we did or went through, YOUR history dies with you.
The US Cavalry has many traditions that have been carried on for +/- 200 years. One of these traditions is the Wearing of the Garter by the wives of the Cavalry Trooper. At first the color of the ribbon on the garter was yellow. Since the original garter came out the colors of Red and Blue have been added. The Red is for the Artillery and the Blue is for the Infantry.
The Order of the Garter is a long-standing Tradition in the US Cavalry. The following is a prayer the Cavalry wife would say:
Give me the greatness of heart to see,
The difference between duty and his love for me.
Give me the understanding so that I may know,
When duty calls him, he must go.
Give me a task to do each day,
To fill the time when he’s away.
When he’s in a foreign land,
Keep him safe in your loving hand.”
– Unknown
Displaying a yellow ribbon, scarf, or garter to signify that family members are awaiting the return of a loved one originated well before musician Tony Orlando sang the popular “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree” in the 1970’s.
Around the late 1700’s & early 1800’s, wives, girl friends and fiancées of the Cavalry Troopers who protected the wagon trains heading west, would often tie a yellow scarf or ribbon around their hat, arm, or parasol. This was to show that they anxiously awaited the return of “their soldiers.” Some would tie the scarf or ribbon to their purse, or wear yellow ribbons in their hair to show support.
The 1949 movie, “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,” is a classic example of this well-known practice. Over the years this idea has taken many forms, such as the wearing of yellow ribbons or tying yellow ribbons on trees and houses.
Cavalry tradition has it that when a new wife came to her first Hail and Farewell she was welcomed into the “Order of the Yellow Rose” by the most junior officer or non-commissioned officer. This Trooper would welcome each wife by presenting her with a yellow rose and a kiss on her cheek for good luck at her new post.
Today, Cavalry units have replaced this tradition with the giving of a yellow, red or blue garter. The wife was encouraged to wear her “yellow garter” to all Cavalry functions or when her Trooper was deployed.
The information for this page came from the Cavhooah website: www.cavhooah.com/shop. If you go to this page you will find many amazing items for sale.
God Bless you all,
If you have something to share with your Cav family send it to me.
Charlie Troop 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment 
michael kelley
April 1, 2022
Hi Pat, Nice job on this news letter. Can you give me Gene Smith’s address? I would like to send him an anniversary card (51 years on April 30). I called Titch March 29th (National Vietnam Veterans Day) to let him know I was thinking of him. As you know, I was on my very first combat mission the day Titch was wounded in action. How we managed to survive that day is a mystery. You are so right that our numbers are dwindling. Those of us who were there in 1965-66 are very elderly and have various health issues to contend with as a result of old age. As the old saying goes, “Time waits for no man”. And we don’t have much time left. Bummer. On the upside, we can be glad we lived this long and enjoyed our families and friends.
Hope all is well your way. Best wishes. Mike Kelley