Sunday, September 6, 2009

Clyde's Army Reunion


At the end of our time with Shawn & Jane & the girls in TN, Clyde & I went on to Georgia with Rick & Nancy for their 40th Army Reunion in Conyers, GA. We met at a Ruby Tuesday's Restaurant the evening of August 21, 2009




This sign was provided by Hank Kimner





This is Colonel John Haumersen and his wife Elsie





Clyde & Bill Murphy




Nancy & Hank Kimner, Rick & Nancy Hauck







As a surprise to everyone, Rick had planned a time of honoring 4 men that evening ...


The first was Col. Haumersen



Rick begins the installation ceremony with Col. Haumersen into the
Order of St. George. Each man was given a Medallion and a certificate that reflects their contribution to Armor and Cavalry during their years of service with the U.S. Army-



After his installation, the Colonel then assists Rick in the installation of
Hank Kimner, Clyde and Bill Murphy into the Order of St. George




One by one the men kneel to receive the Black Medallion


Colonel Haumersen then taps their shoulders with the saber that
Rick used during his military service. Rick is an alumni of the Citadel




Clyde's turn to kneel and receive the Medallion


The man Clyde served under in 1968-1969, Col. Haumersen, has the honor of
'knighting' Clyde into the Order of St. George


Hank Kimner, Bill Murphy, Col. John Haumersen & Clyde Moore







Each man was also inducted into The Order of the Spur

"The Order of the Spur is a Cavalry tradition within the United States Army. Soldiers serving with Cavalry units (referred to as Troopers) are inducted into the Order of the Spur after successfully completing a "Spur Ride" or for having served during combat as a member of a Cavalry unit. Traditionally, each Trooper is presented spurs by their sponsor at a ceremonial dining in commonly referred to as the "Spur Dinner". The spurs are to be worn with the military uniform during Squadron or Regimental ceremonies and events or as designated by the Cavalry unit commander. In some units, gold spurs are awarded for combat inductions while silver spurs represent having completed the Spur Ride. Within the tradition, silver spurs and gold spurs hold a similar relationship for the cavalry as the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge hold in the Infantry. There is no Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) requirement for the Order of the Spur and the order is open to members of foreign militaries serving with U.S. Cavalry units".




The final surprise for each man was a United States Flag with a certificate
stating that each flag had been flown over the U.S. Capitol building for
7 mintues on July 7, 2009








We paid tribute to these men who served our country in times of war
and conflict. Their time in Korea is called the 'forgotten war' because the focus was on Vietnam at the time they served in Korea. I didn't know the danger these men were in until last year when Clyde & Rick reconnected in Ohio. Clyde wrote letters home while he was gone but never mentioned the dangers and the killing that was happening.



Hank Kimner, Bill Murphy, Col. Haumersen, Tom Bornhorst, Rick Hauck & Clyde Moore





Bill Murphy, Hank & Nancy Kimner, Rick & Nancy Hauck, Elsie & Col. Haumersen, Louise & Clyde Moore, Tom Bornhorst


A photo of the certificate given to Clyde





The Flag, the Spurs and the Medallions now sit on our fireplace mantel



1 comment:

  1. Michael David Batwinas
    mike's home for the next 6 months

    http://www.navysite.de/dd/ddg65.htm

    ReplyDelete