Troopers,
    I recently returned from Washington DC to walk the last mile with a former 3/5 Cav Trooper and his observer, Capt. Jon Edward Swanson and Larry Harrison, where their remains were interned in Arlington National Cemetary in a common grave with our Nations' highest honors. The best way I can describe it was heart tugging and AWSOME. The BLACK KNIGHTS were represented by General Hugh Bartley (USA Ret), Raoul Alcala, Vern Delaware, Ron Dohanish, Allen DeCook, John Shields, and myself. There were also representatives from the 1st Cavalry Division that included Joe Gallaway and two MEDAL OF HONOR recipients.
    In the new Fort Myers chapel, Brigid Jones spoke on behalf of her father Capt. Jon E. Swanson that was outstanding. Brigid and her sister Holly are his two surviving daughters. Prior to this, I was introduced to Army Chief Of Staff General Eric K. Shinseki by Roy Alcala who walked over to where we were sitting inside the chapel. The General spoke with us momentarily as a fellow BLACK KNIGHT. We are hoping he will attend our reunion and Memorial Monument dedication next year. He was a real human being and a good man. See Note
    When the internment ceremonies were concluded, the Swanson family invited us to lunch with them. They are a wonderful family. Everyone was sharing stories and introducing each other. It felt like we were all one big happy family. Sandee Swanson and her two daughters were as sweet and gracious as they could be. We got to talk with Jon's brother Andy and his two sisters. I can't say enough about this family except I'm glad that they all now have closure after waiting 31 years.  I hope they all come to our reunion next year.
    I want to take this opportunity to leave the D-Troopers with some food for thought. I'm not trying to sell anything or offer you anything that you don't already have except more fellow proud troopers from the best Squadron the Cavalry ever fielded. I believe that if Jon would of survived, he would of felt like Ace Cozzalio, Roger Hinen, myself, and the rest of the Squadron. And that is that we stay together as a unit instead of splintering up. We went over as a whole unit and returned as a whole unit. What happened in between was none of our faults. This is not to say discontinue the yearly D-Troop gatherings in Atlanta because I and others think it is great. We would like to see many as D-troopers as possible at our reunion next year for our Memorial Monument Dedication which will be the first of its kind. We made alot of history together. The only thing different about D-troop was their equipment. We are all BLACK KNIGHTS of the BASTARD CAV. The rest of your brothers would like to meet you. When everyone else forgot about D-Troop, we never did. For those D-Troopers that did not get the word, you are all authorized to wear three Presidentional Unit Citations. Saddle Up & Sound The Charge!!
 
Keeping us together, together,
Ron Quezada,Pres.
BLACK KNIGHTS
BROTHERS IN ARMS