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History of the
8th Cavalry Regiment Association
This Association was started in 1951 via a chapter formation proposal by twelve World War II combat veterans of 8th Cavalry Regiment units who had served in the Philippines, Admiralty Islands, and Japan. A constitution and by-laws were adopted at the first reunion of the founders in February 1951 in Toledo, Ohio. All founding members are now deceased.
On September 1, 1951, in Galveston, Texas, at a Chapter Formation Meeting with the 1st Cavalry Division Registrar, a charter designated as Chapter No. 14 was granted to the group by Col. Stone of the 1st Cavalry Division. From 1951 until 1987, the Association operated, variously, as "Chapter 14, 1st Cavalry Division" and "8th Cavalry, Chapter 14, 1st Cavalry Division".
A communication was received on December 4, 1987 by Mr. James Reminga, then secretary/treasurer for the 8th Regiment Association, from Col. (RET) Bob Litle, Executive Director of the 1st Cavalry Division Association in Copperas Cove, Texas. This was in response to a request by Mr. Reminga to Col. Litle that the 8th Regiment, Chapter 14 be listed as a chapter in SABER, the official 1st Cavalry Division Association publication. Col. Litle replied that he realized the 8th Regiment was and had been in operation for several years, but there was nothing in Division Association files on the 14th Chapter and the group, therefore, would be required to reapply for chapter status.
No reapplication was made, and subsequently, the members of the group proceeded to exist as a social association under the name of the 8th Cavalry Regiment Association.
An amendment in 1960 (Indianapolis, Indiana) was made to the Constitution and By-laws that limited annual reunions to five States: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. In 1984 (at Bowling Green, Kentucky) this was revised to state that Chapter 14 would not limit its meetings to State boundaries. In 1991 (at Roanoke, Virginia), the 1984 revision was restated and reaffirmed following a vote by the attending reunion membership.
The group has grown in numbers. Its ranks of World War II veterans increased over the years. Along the way, 8th Cavalry veterans of Korea and Vietnam joined the group at its annual reunions.
The Association from its beginning until 2000 was an informal one. There were no application forms; and annual dues (except in a few of the early years) were not assessed.
Through 2002, reunions were held annually each year in springtime. From 1987 through 2001, the annual meeting was held in May over the weekend when Armed Forces Day is observed. The annual get-together convened at a location voted by attendees at the prior year's business meeting. A trooper, a group of troopers, a trooper and spouse, or a trooper's family hosted the reunion.
All who attended the Association reunions were urged to participate in the annual business meeting. The business-meeting program observed an agenda that opened and closed the meeting with the Association colors, submission of financial reports, new and old business, and short presentations by specific attendees. A nominal registration fee was charged for reunion attendance to cover hospitality room and reunion expenses. A banquet fee was imposed to cover the cost of the dinner served; the specific cost of the dinner was rounded up to the next five-dollar level. Monies received resulting from rounding up were placed in the Association treasury and were used to defray expenses for mailings to members, reunion door prizes, and memorials for deceased troopers.
There were no elections of officers. The Trooper host of the annual reunion was the presiding President pro tem. An Association Secretary was chosen by the membership and remained in that office until resignation or replacement. Association records were maintained by the presiding secretary who provided record-keeping and correspondence services. The Secretary maintained an accurate record of all financial matters and provided periodic reports to specific members (as determined) and the President pro tem. All records were open and available to any member and would be supplied upon request.
The May 2001 reunion at Bakersfield, California was the catalyst for change in the administration of the association. At that reunion, the decision was made to incorporate and affiliate with the 1st Cavalry Division, Copperas Cove, Texas. By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation, and a Proclamation were written. Required documents were initiated and submitted by Bruce Davis, Bakersfield, California, for incorporation in the State of California and for nonprofit status. Bruce Davis also submitted the required documents to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax-exempt status. The State of California granted incorporation and nonprofit status on November 16, 2001. On January 28, 2002, the IRS approved the Association for Federal tax-exempt classification under Section 501 (a) of the IRS Code.
The 8th Cavalry Regiment Association currently operates as an incorporated nonprofit, tax-exempt veterans organization under IRS Code Section 501 (c) (19).
At the 2001 Bakersfield reunion, it was decided that the association would hold its annual reunion with the 1st Cavalry reunion when Division meets every other year at Fort Hood, Texas; and the location site for the "off year" [even-numbered-year] reunion would be decided at the reunion at Fort Hood.
The 2001 reunion was also the start of elections of officers, with the unanimous voted decision by the attendees that the association be governed by seven newly installed officers/directors as follows:
Robert C. Cable - President
Karl W. Sharples - Vice President
Carl W. Moreland - Treasurer
Anne Galligan - Secretary
Bruce A. Davis - Director
Frederick E. Love - Director
Albert J. Stauber - Director
Monetary support for this association was discussed at the 2001 reunion. Agreed upon by attendees was the institution of annual dues which, subsequently, became payable on a calendar basis (January - December) in order to comply with IRS regulations.
In May 2002, at Wilkes-Barre, the following issues were unanimously approved: Full membership for spouses and immediate family members of deceased honorably discharged veterans of the 8th Cavalry Regiment; elections of officers and selection of reunion sites at even-numbered-year reunions.
June 2002 - ag
| PRESIDENT - Elected Position |
| Cable, Robert C. - - - Elected President May 2001 at Bakersfield CA reunion. Served as President until May 2004 elections at Canton OH reunion. |
| Sharples, Karl W. - - - Elected President May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as President until May 2008 elections at Branson MO reunion. |
| Guthrie, Bennett M. II - - - Elected President May 2008 at Branson MO reunion. Served as President until May 2010 elections at Canton OH reunion. |
| Fernandez, Juan - - - Elected President May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as President until present. |
| VICE PRESIDENT - Elected Position |
| Sharples, Karl W. - - - Elected V-President May 2001 at Bakersfield CA reunion. Served as Vice President until May 2004 elections at Canton OH reunion. |
| Krivda, William F. - - - Elected V-President May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Vice President until 5 June 2009. Board of Directors declared the position vacant. |
| McGhie, Michael W. - - - Elected V-President May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Vice President until May. |
| Manual Silva - - - Apponited V-President May 2011 at Fort Benning reunion. Will finish term an serve as Vice President until May 2012 |
| SECRETARY - Elected Position |
| Galligan, Anne - - - Elected Secretary May 2001 at Bakersfield CA reunion. Served as Secretary until June 2003 elections at Ft. Hood TX reunion. |
| Sharples, Margaret J. - - - Appointed Secretary 2003 at Ft. Hood TX reunion. Served as Secretary until May 2008 reunion at Branson MO. |
| Moreland, Carl W. - - - Elected Secretary May 2008 at Branson MO reunion. Served as Secretary until May 2010 reunion at Canton OH. |
| Krivda, William F. - - - Elected Secretary May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Secretary until releived of duty 13 July 2010. |
| Moreland, Carl W. - - - Appointed Secretary Pro-Tem 13 July 2010. Served as Secretary Pro-Tem until 14 February 2011. |
| Duckworth, Jesse W. - - - Appointed Secretary Pro-Tem 14 February 2011. Served as Secretary Pro-Tem until 30 March 2011 at which time his membership was terminated by the Association's Board of Directors. |
| Harry O.Taylor - - - Appointed Secretary 20 May 2011 due to retirement of Carl Morland |
| TREASURER - Elected Position |
| Moreland, Carl W. - - - Elected Treasurer May 2001 at Bakersfield CA reunion. Served as Treasurer until May 2004 elections at Canton OH reunion. |
| Doyel, Walter - - - Elected Treasurer May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Treasurer until deceased 11 August 2007. Position vacant until 2008 reunion at Branson MO. |
| Doyel, Norma - - - Appointed Assistant Treasurer 18 May 2006 at Visalia CA reunion. Served as Assistant Treasurer until May 2008 elections at 2008 reunion at Branson MO.. |
| Moreland, Carl W. - - - Elected Treasurer May 2008 at Branson MO reunion. Served as Treasurer until May 2010 elections at Canton OH reunion. |
| Krivda, William F. - - - Elected Treasurer May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Treasurer until releived of duty 13 July 2010. |
| Moreland, Carl W. - - - Appointed Treasurer Pro-Tem 13 July 2010. Served as Treasurer Pro-Tem until 14 February 2011. |
| Duckworth, Jesse W. - - - Appointed Treasurer Pro-Tem 14 February 2011. Served as Treasurer Pro-Tem until 30 March 2011 at which time his membership was terminated by the Association's Board of Directors. |
| Harry O. Taylor - - - Appointed Treasurer 20 May 2011 due to retirement of Carl Morland |
| BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Elected Positions |
| Davis, Bruce A. - - - Elected Director May 2001 at Bakersfield CA reunion. Served as Director until May 2008 elections at Branson MO reunion. |
| Love, Frederick E. - - - Elected Director May 2001 at Bakersfield CA reunion. Served as Director until end of term 31 December 2002. |
| Stauber, Albert J. - - - Elected Director May 2001 at Bakersfield CA reunion. Served as Director until end of term 31 December 2002. |
| Funkhouser, Robert F. - - - Elected Director May 2002 at Wilkes-Barr PA reunion, term starting 1 January 2003. Served as Director until May 2008 reunion at Branson MO. |
| Krivda, William F. - - - Elected Director May 2002 at Wilkes-Barre PA reunion, term starting 1 January 2003. Served as Director until May 2004 elections at Canton OH reunion. |
| Christensen, John S. - - - Elected Director May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until deceased 16 April 2007. |
| LaFollette, Jerry A. - - - Elected Director May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until May 2006 at Visalia CA.reunion. |
| Moreland, Carl W. - - - Elected Director May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until May 2008 at Branson MO.reunion. |
| Salas, Aurelio - - - Elected Director May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until May 2008 at Branson MO.reunion. |
| Reese, Elmer C. - - - Elected Director May 2006 at Visalia CA reunion. Served as Director until resigned 9 July 2008. |
| Burrer, John D. - - - Elected Director May 2008 at Branson MO reunion. Served as Director until May 2010 at Canton OH.reunion. |
| Sharples, Karl W. - - - Elected Director May 2008 at Branson MO reunion. Served as Director until resigned 9 January 2009. |
| Freeman, Charles E. - - - Appointed Director Pro-Tem 31 August 2008. Served as Director until May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. |
| Reese, Elmer C. - - - Appointed Director Pro-Tem 9 January 2009. Served as Director until May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. |
| McGhie, Michael W. - - - Appointed Director Pro-Tem 9 July 2009. Elected May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until May. |
| Duckworth, Jesse W. - - - Elected Director May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until 30 March 2011 at which time his membership was terminated by the Association's Board of Directors. |
| Fernandez, Juan - - - Elected Director May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until present. |
| Harris, Tommy H. - - - Elected Director May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until present. |
| Hempfling, Lawrence F. - - - Elected Director May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until present. |
| Sharples, Karl W. - - - Elected Director May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until present. |
| Silva, Manuel - - - Elected Director May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Director until present. |
| Bertyl V. Johnson - - - Elected Director May 2011 at Fort Benning Reunion. Served as Director until 2012. |
| WEBMASTER - Appointed Position |
| Reese, Elmer C. - - - Appointed Webmaster 23 October 2001. Served as Webmaster until 8 January 2011. |
| Fernandez, Juan - - - Appointed Webmaster 8 January 2011. Served as Webmaster until present. |
| EDITOR, The Trooper - Appointed Position |
| Moreland, Carl W. - - - Appointed Editor of The Trooper 2007. Served as Editor until present. |
| CHAPLAIN - Appointed Position |
| Miller, Peggie - - - Appointed Chaplain January 2003. Served as Chaplain until May 2008 at Branson MO. |
| Teachout, Robert - - - Appointed Chaplain January 2009. Served as Chaplain until September 2010. |
| De Young, Thomas J. - - - Appointed Chaplain September 2010. Served as Chaplain until present. |
| QUARTERMASTER - Appointed Position |
| Cable, Robert - - - Appointed Quartermaster May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Quartermaster until deceased 18 July 2009. |
| Hempfling, Lawrence F. - - - Appointed Quartermaster March 2010. Served as Quartermaster until present. |
| HISTORIAN - Appointed Position |
| Moreland, Carl W. - - - Appointed Historian May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Historian until May 2006 at Visalia CA reunion. |
| Silva, Manuel - - - Appointed Historian May 2010 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Historian until present. |
| SGT AT ARMS - Appointed Position |
| Collins, Robert - - - Appointed Sgt At Arms May 2004 at Canton OH reunion. Served as Sgt At Arms until November 2010. |
| Lawrence, Leonard L. - - - Appointed Sgt At Arms November 2010. Served as Sgt At Arms until present. |
