On April 24, 2015, about 150 members of the Border Legion, veterans of the 14th and 11th Armored Cavalry Regiments, and family members, gathered at the former Observation Post Alpha, now Point Alpha, for a commemoration of the last border patrol conducted by U.S. forces on the former Inner German Border.

The event was a great celebration of freedom and unity, attended by a stellar cast of notables, to include the Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe, General Hodges; The U.S. Ambassador to Germany, John Emerson; the Minister President of Thüringen (formerly in East Germany), Bodo Ramelow; and the European Minister from Hesse, Lucia Puttrich. Three former Blackhorse Regimental Commanders were also in attendance: General (ret) Crosbie Saint, Lieutenant General (ret) Guy Swan, and Brigadier General (ret) John Sherman Crow. The ceremony was ably supported by the U.S. Army Europe Band, Cadets from the Junior ROTC program, and vehicles and Soldiers of the 2nd Cavalry Stryker Brigade. The entire program was hosted and arranged by the Point Alpha Foundation led by Volker Bausch.

In addition to the ceremony itself, there were a number of squadron socials and a reception at the Goldener Karpfen, a well-known Fulda restaurant, hosted by the German American Business and Cultural Association, headed by former Blackhorse S-5, Renate Stieber. 

Coverage in the Herfelder Zeitung can be found at the following websites, and there are a number of photos in addition to the two shown above.

http://www.hersfelder-zeitung.de/nachrichten/lokales/bad-hersfeld/fs-feierlicher-point-alpha-4942735.html
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The Point Alpha Foundation

The Point Alpha Foundation was founded in 2008 by the two Federal States of Hesse and Thuringia. These two states were on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. The foundation preserves the memory of this landmark of German-American history, and it is now a national monument and place of many memories for the Blackhorse Regiment. Since 1995, more than 1.2 million visitors have come to see the U.S. Camp, the border installations, the exhibitions, and the former OP Alpha.

The foundation is planning to extend the exhibition at Point Alpha, adding the topic "Daily Life" of the American troops stationed in Fulda and Bad Hersfeld to it. The foundation wants to tell the story of German-American civil-military "cohabitation" during more than four decades. The foundation is also looking for possible co-sponsors who are willing to maintain that unique historic site together with the foundation and to make a true German-American contemporary history project out of it.

At the link below is a flyer that will be given to visitors at Point Alpha and taken on a speaking tour about Point Alpha through the United States by the foundation's director, Volker Bausch. The tour will include Chicago, Illinois; Canton, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; Columbia, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Washington, DC. The tour is in response to an invitation of the Goethe-Institute Washington and the American Council on Germany, which began its operations on April 26.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

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Another Story About OP Alpha

The video clip at the website below is another reminder of the impact of the border on the German people. It is a stark reminder of the human cost of totalitarian regimes. And it is also a reminder that not everyone believes in the freedoms that we all served for on the inner German border. Sad, but true.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOF9EtFxr8o

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 Blackhorse Soldier and NCO of the Quarter

Soldier of the Quarter - Specialist (now Sergeant) Perrin Smitch Noussi.
Sergeant Noussi was born in 1986 in Cameroon, Central Africa. He graduated high school in 2006 and studied International Trade at the University of Yaounde. He moved to Richmond, Virginia in 2008 where he met his wife, Tiffonia Bufford, now Tiffonia Noussi. They have a two-year-old son named Jaetyn Noussi.

He joined the U.S. Army in June 2012 and attended Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He graduated from AIT as a 88M (Truck Driver) and first served at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He reported to Fort Irwin in November 2012 and was assigned to Supply and Transportation Company of the Regimental Support Squadron, where he participated in many rotations, all accident free. He also served at the Protocol Bureau for a number of rotations where he earned several Certificates of Achievement. He also received an Amy Achievement Medal for his actions during one training rotation. He is currently the squadron commander's driver.

His short-term goal has been achieved with his recent promotion to the non-commissioned officer corps, where he plans to train, lead, and inspire soldiers. His long-term goal is to finish his bachelor of arts in business administration and retire as a command sergeant major. 

NCO of the Quarter - Sergeant Sean L. Small
Sergeant Sean L. Small was born in 1990, and he was raised in Norfolk, Virginia with his seven brothers and three sisters. His mother is Sergeant First Class Sharlene Hayes. After the completion of high school in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he joined the U.S. Army in January 2010. He completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia for AIT in MOS 9lC, utilities equipment repairer. His first assignment was to the 4thInfantry Division of Fort Carson, Colorado. He deployed to Tikrit, Iraq from October of 2010 until 2011. While stationed at Fort Carson, he completed the Warrior Leader Course. In 2013, he was reclassified to MOS 91F, small arms artillery repairer, and his second assignment was to Fort Irwin, where he serves in Maintenance Troop, Regimental Support Squadron. He is currently a squad leader and NCOIC of the armament section at 2/11 MST.

Sergeant Small has earned the Army Commendation Medal for his service in Iraq where he provided support on an entry control point. He was the only soldier out of 12 in the DSTB battalion of 4th Infantry Division to receive a coin from General Lloyd Austin for outstanding work while deployed in a hostile environment. In addition, he has received the army achievement medal, army good conduct medal, and two certificates of achievement.

Sergeant Small's short-term goals are to help his soldiers achieve a score of 300 on the Army physical fitness test; train and develop his soldiers into outstanding Army leaders; get inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club; and complete his bachelor's degree in business management. His long-term goals are to become part of the Army Special Forces and complete his master's degree in business management. ________________________________________ 
On June 12, 2015 at the Blackhorse Association Reunion in Las Vegas, there will be a drawing for two 1901 Campaign Hats. There is no cost to participate in the drawing. Click here to download an entry form.

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A Poignant Letter from a Blackhorse Widow

Recently, a member of the Blackhorse, Austin G. Mauch, passed away. His widow, Mrs. Joyce Mauch, sent this letter to our President, Glenn Snodgrass.

"Dear Sir,

I received your newsletter for my husband, Austin G. Mauch. Don't need to send any more.

Austin passed away on August 13. He died from diabetes and lung cancer. Because he lost his hair, we put his Blackhorse hat on him and his Blackhorse shirt for his funeral. Those were his wishes, he was very proud to be in the Army.

His service was very nice. Army was there and played taps and gave me the flag. He will be loved and missed a lot.

God bless you and all Service men and women.

Mrs. Joyce Mauch"