Shortly before noon on the 13th of March 1994, the last departing group of American soldiers assembled before the flagpole in Downs Barracks.  The Fulda Gap weather was cold; just above freezing, north winds gusting to about 20 knots, a stinging spray of winter rain out of gray low-hung clouds.  The unfriendly weather notwithstanding several hundred German and American friends of the Regiment had come to brave the biting wind and participate in this moment in history.  Nearly fifty years had passed since the first US Army units—cavalry units, entered Fulda in the closing hours of the second great war of the Twentieth Century.

Now, as soldiers prepared to lower our flag, General Donn Starry, Honorary Colonel of the Blackhorse, spoke briefly in memory and honor of the American soldiers who had served in this place.

* * * * * * *

In a few moments, for the first time in just short of half a century, these splendid old buildings will no longer be home to cavalry soldiers of the United States Army.

The missions for which those soldiers were first posted here nearly fifty years ago have been accomplished.

Now, our familiar world—the world of those five dangerous decades, has changed dramatically. Indeed, it continues to change dramatically, even as we mark this historic occasion. So perhaps it is time for us to change as well; move on to new frontiers and other missions; different borders demand our attention. We have done here what we were asked to do.

But as we move on, facing change and new challenges, we need to be reminded that some things do not change. Listen.

Last night, in the dark, the cold, the wind and rain, I walked through this place one last time—alone. Through the vacant motor parks, past the deserted maintenance sheds, by the empty barracks—all once so full and vibrant with soldiers and their business.

But as I walked on, it seemed to me that somehow they were all there once again. For I seemed to hear soldier voices--in the barracks, on their Bradleys, their tanks, their Humvees, in their howitzers, on their trucks.  Soldier voices sounded through hissing of radio squelch, soldier voices rose above the sound of engines turning up in the night, soldier voices were heard over the screech of turning tracks as units moved on alert.

Yes--You see, they are all here. For many of us they can never go away. Some of us will always be able to come here and find them waiting. For we are part of them and they are part of us. Together we are part of this place where so many of us have spent so many of the important years of our lives.

Today, freedom flourishes in this beautiful land—to be sure not without some problems. But freedom flourishes because those soldiers were here. Their service, their sacrifice, their unexcelled professional excellence, won that prolonged, demanding, frustrating half century long war just ended. Won it without having to fight the Battle of the Fulda Gap.

To win in that fashion, without having to fight the battle for which one has so earnestly prepared for so long a time—that is the truest measure of soldier success.

Now, we all carry away with us that legacy to meet new challenges. For it is yet true that when all is done, battles are ever won by the courage of soldiers, the character of their leaders, and the military excellence of superbly trained units.

As we fold these precious flags and march away today, those soldier voices call after us; reminding that nothing worth having can be had for nothing—freedom is not free. Somewhere, some day, some time, somehow, once again the fate of our nation’s goals, ambitions, hopes, perhaps even survival, will surely rest in the hands of a few good soldiers, a few good leaders, and a few good units—units like the Blackhorse. Units whose ultimate excellence is writ large in the history of battles they never had to fight. In freedom bought at the price of eternal vigilance.

Allons !!!                        Let’s Go !!!!