Thur.  6th,  1300-1900
     Reunion registration was held all day while the Hospitality Room remained opened for the pleasure of our troopers and their guest .  We had a lot of cold drinks, snacks, and coffee to enjoy.  There were many Constabulary  items for sale at a table set up just for that main purpose.  A table was set up with displays of fantastic photos of the Constabulary troops during 1946-1952.  Documents were available to be viewed along with scrap books and photos.
Everyone stayed busy talking and sharing stories until Dinner this first evening.   A large group of the members walked along the beautiful river walk to have dinner at Joe's Crab Trap.  The food was great and the beer was even better. Others found a nice restaurant in the hotel to have their meal.  All in all, I would say everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously.

            1000-1030   The Welcoming and Memorial ceremony was held at our Constabulary Monument in Armor Park.  The General Officers made their welcoming remarks and National Chaplain Rev. Oscar McDuffy conducted the benediction.  The former Nat'l Chaplain, Matt Winters was ill and not present.  Later we learned he has passed on.  Our sincere condolences goes out to all his family.

                  1030-1200   Tour of Patton Museum and Wedding photos

                  1200-1315   We travel to the 1/16th Cav. dining facility for lunch.  It was amazing to buy lunch and it not cost much more than 3 dollars per person.

                  1315-1530   We Continued our tour of Fort Knox enjoying everything.

                  1530-1630    We returned to the Galt House Hotel that afternoon excited about the great time we had touring Fort Knox.   Everyone shared their stories and memories of their Constabulary Days.  I give this trip a rating of a number "10."

                  1630-????     The Hospitality Room was opened for all to sit, relax and chat.  Refreshments were available to all once again.

                     1030-1100     Installation of newly elected National Officers.
Click here to read the list of appointed officers.

                  1100-1200     Outpost meetings.
                 1700-1800     Cocktail hour, no-host bar.
                  1800-1900     Dinner  - The last evening together.
                  1900-1930     Speech

John F. Antal
Colonel Armor
USA
Commander, 16th Cavalry Regiment
 Fort Knox.
 Banquet Guest Speaker

                  Col. John F. Antal  was present as our guest speaker.  He gave a very moving speech about the US Constabulary and what the Constabulary did for the United States, as well as for Germany and Austria in 1946 - 1952.  The speech was much like attending an up beat rally.  Everyone showed much enthusiasm as Col. Antal  continued to use his all in expressing what he believed to be an important part of history that should not and will not to be forgotten.  Strong words were being lashed out,  letting us know he believed in what the US Constabulary stood far.  He loudly and firmly got his message out to us, on how he knows the US Constabulary was and still is a great influence of the way training programs are being held at Fort Knox.   By the time Col. John F. Antal  was finished with his speech, everyone was yelling to the top of their lungs,

  Good Morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Fort Knox, the home of Armor.  On behalf of Maj. Gen. Steven Whitcomb, commander of the Armor Center and Fort Knox, we are pleased to have you with us today.
     The Constabulary is an organization with an interesting history.  The U.S. Army organized Constabulary units to act as a police force for civilians in wartime situations.  Today Fort Knox is pleased to host veterans of the Constabulary forces in Germany and Austria.
     The history of the Constabulary in Germany and Austria is interesting because of the types of missions they performed.  Life Magazine wrote and article about the newly established Constabulary of  33,000 specially trained troops in the Aug. 26, 1946 issue.  The mission of these troops was to check other troops behavior, keep displaced persons in hand, hunt illegal travelers, smugglers and black marketers and track down Germans concealing illegal arms or furthering Nazi ideas.
      The Constabulary were converted from Armor, Cavalry, Infantry and Signal battalions.  Soldiers were then trained to perform their mission as a  member of the Constabulary.
      Form 1946 until 1947 the Constabulary operated with three regiments in Germany and  a 4th Regiment in Austria.  In July 1947 reorganization took place that affected virtually every element.  One third of the squadrons were inactivated, when the reorganization ended 11 of the 32 squadrons were eliminated.
      In 1948 the 2nd, the 6th and 14th Constabulary Regiments reorganized as armored cavalry regiments.   These armored cavalry regiments were responsible for guarding the border. The remaining Constabulary units continued with he Constabulary traditional mission.
     In 1950 the headquarters was inactivated, leaving two units to conduct the Constabulary mission.  In 1952 the final two squadrons were deactivated.  All together the Constabulary existed in Germany and Austria for six and one half years.
      The mission of maintaining general military and civil security in an area covering more than 40,000 square miles required men of the highest caliber.
     The soldiers operated in small groups, many times a long distance from headquarters.  The selection process was to find individuals who could be trusted not to give in to temptation.  Troopers were empowered with authority in matters of arrest, search and seizure.
       Working with the German police, government and the military authorities the Constabulary troops helped to maintain order in a population of 16 million German citizens and one half million displaced persons.
     During the last six months of 1946, over 26,000 undocumented transients were turned back from the borders.  Approximately 22,000 people were apprehended within the ten mile border zone.
      During its first six months of operations, the Constabulary made 168,000 patrols in jeeps, tanks, armored cars, on foot and on horseback and Troopers uncovered  2,681 black market transactions and 173 subversive acts.  All of these efforts contributed to the stabilization of a country that is today one of America's staunchest allies.
     Today's soldiers are performing much the same mission in different areas of ht world.  Your successes in the 1940's gave us a yardstick by which to measure the mission today.
      Describing the contributions of World War ll era soldiers, former Secretary of the Army William Cohen said, "The men and women f America's armed forces, those who inherited your spirit who defend the consecrated ground on which you fought, today carry on your noble work, preserving what you have created, defending the  victory you achieved, honoring the great deeds and ideals for which you struggled and sacrificed.  All of us, are truly and deeply in your debt forever."
     Today, the line of selfless service stretches around the globe.  At this time, there are about  20,000 American soldiers deployed to more than 80 countries, as part of joint and combined operations and exercises.
     In Europe, following in your footsteps, more than 7000 American soldiers are deployed in helping to enforce the Dayton Peace Accord, they are nurturing fledgling democracies and helping to rebuild villages ripped apart by civil wars.
     Today as we remember all those who served in the Constabulary we are reminded of the differences their sacrifice has made.  Today, the countries you patrolled are peaceful nd self governing.
      You made history and we have an opportunity to learn the  lessons of the past from the men and women who learned the lessons through experience.
     Reunions like this provide us an opportunity to learn from others.  The lessons are being passed on through the  oldest form of communication - storytelling.
     It's in the storytelling we come to know those brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice.  We honor them by keeping their memory alive, not only on special occasions, but every day.  By remembering them we insure their sacrifice served a purpose.

Constabulary Association Reunion
 8 September 2001 [As Delivered by Col. John F. Antal]

Mr. And Mrs. Deming, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn, veterans, families and friends of the Constabulary Association.  Good evening and thank you for inviting my wife and I here tonight to share this great reunion with you … and DON, thank you for that very kind introduction.

 I must say that I really did enjoy talking with many of you earlier and that the years have done nothing to diminish your espirit de corps.

I want you to know you're always welcome at Fort Knox.   You're a wonderfully spirited group of true American heroes, and it's a privilege to be able to join in you here tonight.

Two of the things I enjoy the most are training leaders for our Army … and addressing veterans’ reunions.  Both groups are inspiring because of their enthusiasm for our Army.

The young leaders who enter the 14 schools in the Regiment that I have the honor to lead are eager and ready to learn.  This is because they are embarking on a great adventure - the challenge to lead their first tank platoon, M1 Abrams tank company, or cavalry troop.

And the veterans like you are VERY special … because you know first-hand the serious responsibilities a soldier must shoulder … and, by your commitment you have proven your great love for our Nation, the Army, and the comrades you served with.

I admit, that it is exciting for me to talk with you.  Long ago, General Douglas MacArthur captured the source of the excitement I've felt here tonight.

McArthur said: "People grow old only by deserting their ideals.  Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul…
You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt …
As young as your self-confidence …. as old as your fear ….
As young as your hope …. as old as your despair.

In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber, so long as it receives messages of hope, cheer, and courage …so long are you young."

That's the secret, really, and the reason that I jump at every chance to talk to veterans like you … at occasions like this.

These reunions are great sources of hope, cheer, and courage.  And it's obvious the ideal of America still burns brightly in your hearts.

I am also pleased to know that, as a cavalryman, many of you served in armor and cavalry units during the Second World War.

This was natural, as the organizers of the US Constabulary wanted … and needed … soldiers of the highest caliber with the best discipline and morale.
Don, my apologies to eh artillery. I am fond of a saying:  Combined arms wins!  All the branches are equally important.

I've studied your history … and may I say, you have written quite a story.

Following the war, when the guns became silent, you performed a very special mission and YOU never faltered.

Most people today cannot fathom what it was like in 1946, after the World War.  The War was over, but the peace had yet to be won.

You did that.  You won the peace.
Your motto: "Mobility, Vigilance, Justice,” explains it all.

The Circle C Cowboys, the Blitz Polezie, are a very special unit … an elite force ... and were absolutely essential to stabilize Germany and Austria after the devastation of World War II.
Although the US Constabulary existed for only six and a-half years, your efforts transformed Germany and Austria into self-sustaining, democratically inclined countries.
When you consider this, it is incredible.

YOUR HONOR, YOUR COURAGE, AND YOUR SENSE OF JUSTICE, turned defeated enemies into friends and allies.

You spread democratic principles and impressed upon the Germans and Austrians that the Constabulary was a straightforward product of American democracy  … a force that stood for the rule of law.

Your unselfishness also made a difference. You shared your rations with people who …. months before … had been doing their very best to kill you.

 You, and Constabulary troopers like you … patrolled the cities and borders.
You conducted search and seizures for weapons, Nazi propaganda, and black market items.  You mounted joint patrols with the local police authorities in highly populated areas …. literally creating order from chaos … and established the rule of law among 16 million German and Austrian citizens and over a half million displaced persons.

If anyone ever tells you this was not important, tell him or her to think again.

One only needs to contrast the difference between the zones policed by the US Constabulary and those areas ruled by the Soviet Red Army to understand the difference between light, and darkness …. Freedom and Tyranny.

 I imagine, for many of you, if you only close your eyes, it is easy for the years to fade away and to suddenly recall … with deadly clarity … the dark days of the war.
All those who have served know that there are others … fellow soldiers who fought and brave comrades who died … who made it possible for us to be here today.

You shared their letters from home, their coffee, their rations, and the photographs of their loved ones.

With them you celebrated births, anniversaries and holidays.  With them you faced danger, confronted fear, nurtured hopes, and chanced to dream.
With them, you shared that strange mixture of laughter and sorrow that soldiers in danger recognize and understand.

For you, the bonds that were forged on distant battlefields … in another place and time … are still intact today.  They cannot be broken.   And it is these bonds that bring you together at gatherings such as this … to remember … and to reconfirm.

 America as a nation is committed to four great defining concepts: liberty, justice, equality, and opportunity.

By your service, you have secured those concepts.  You, the select of your generation, who answered the call to duty … showed your commitment for the United States, The Army, the US Constabulary and each other.

For me, you are all a part of The Greatest Generation.

Your generation enabled America to close out the 20th Century as the greatest nation in the history of mankind - the only remaining superpower, with the strongest economy, and the most respected military force in the world.

But, in my opinion, winning World War II isn’t the only reason that you are the greatest generation.    It was also what you did after the war, and when you came home.  You and your families put America on the road to greatness.
It was the leadership you provided in government, in business, in education, in your families, and in the many other areas that brought America to the prosperity it enjoys today.

It was the sense of service that you brought back with you -- of sacrifice and of having become a part of something bigger than yourself.

Please, continue to share your stories so that the next generations can understand what it took to provide them the opportunities, the comforts, and the privileges they enjoy today.

As Dwight David Eisenhower said at his first inaugural address in 1953: "In the final choice, the soldier's pack is not so heavy as the prisoner's chains.”

I want to thank all of you for shouldering that soldier's pack all those years ago.  It has meant freedom for America, and indeed for scores of other nations around the globe.

Again, thank you for asking my wife Angel and me to be here this evening.

I trust your visit to Fort Knox was a gratifying one and that you will come back and visit us again.

I also hope you had a chance to see some of the great young Americans I am privileged to serve with.

Although the challenges we face today are different from those of 60 years ago, one thing is still the same.  All Americans must understand that the freedom we enjoy today comes with responsibility.

The best way to prevent global tragedies such as the last century's world wars is to ensure that we have done everything possible to keep America as strong as it is today - politically, economically, spiritually and militarily.

Never forget, that like you, a new generation of Americans is standing tall, proud to wear the Army Uniform, and willing to do whatever it takes to keep our Nation free and strong.

Never forget that we learned that sense of sacrifice and commitment from you.  This is your gift to those who follow.  This is why you are truly our greatest generation.

You gave us an example to live by, and, as I said, you are our heroes.  Your lives reaffirm for us the idea that America is worth fighting for and freedom is worth striving for.

So, to you, the soldier-veterans of the US Constabulary, and your wives and families, I wish you the very best and I offer the sincere thanks of a grateful nation.

May God bless you, our Nation and the United States Constabulary.

"Mobility, Vigilance, Justice!!

Colonel John F. Antal

Colonel John F. Antal is a tank officer and a 1977 West Point graduate who has served in tank and infantry units for the past 24 years.  His previous assignments also include service in the United States, Germany, Kuwait, Korea, and duty in the Pentagon as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C.

He has served 71 months in Korea with the 2d Infantry Division and commanded of the 2d Battalion, 72d Armor, 2 Infantry Division [M].

Today, Colonel Antal is the commander of the 16th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Knox, Kentucky and responsible for the training and education of all tank officers in the United States Army and Marine Corps.

Colonel Antal has written five books -- two concerning the Korean War.  His latest novel Proud Legions, America's Next War is about a hypothetical war in Korea.  [http://www.oocities.org/Pentagon/Base/3006/antalbooks.htm] He speaks frequently at military related events and has appeared regularly on the History Channel concerning battles and military history.

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