The Regimental Memorial Monument was dedicated 18 October 2018 during our annual Reunion at Ft. Benning, Georgia. A slideshow of the dedication ceremony can be found here.
The 14th Cavalry Monument (above) was dedicated at the 14th Cavalry Association Reunion, October 18, 2018, “To all 14th Cavalry Troopers whose unselfish and dedicated service and personal sacrifice contributed to peace and freedom in our nation and around the world.”
Described by one observer as “stunningly beautiful”, the monument captures the attention of the eyes and the mind.
At a distance, polished black granite panels impart a stately dignity. As one moves closer, crossed sabers and the regimental crest atop the main panel and contrasting red and white guidons atop the five pedestals, each dedicated to a specific era in the regiment’s history, become visible. And the mind is teased to consider the campaigns in which the 14th participated and the troopers who served in them. Imagined questions, “When and where did it serve?”, “What did they do?”, are answered as one moves closer and reads the engravings on each panel.
History. Fundraising began in May 2016 by offering commemorative paver bricks to members of the Association. The final cost of the monument wasn’t known then, but it was not thought that commemorative brick sales alone would be sufficient to cover it. Nevertheless, through April of 2017, almost $20,000 had been raised. The final design and construction of the monument was approved, and the Phase II fundraising program was launched at the Association’s reunion in May 2017.
Challenge and Response. An anonymous donor pledged $10,000 if the Association raised an additional $10,000 by December 31. Challenged to earn those matching funds at the reunion in early May, attendees stepped up by contributing $11,200 by the concluding banquet on Saturday night. Eighty-two percent of those at the reunion have contributed, confirming the observation of LTC Jabari Miller, outgoing commander of 2-14, that “Cavalry is an attitude” and demonstrating that members of the 14th Cavalry Association have it!
How you can help. Whether you are a veteran of a 14h Cavalry unit, a military veteran or a friend of those who have served, you have shown an interest in what we are doing. Would you like to help? There are a number of things you can do.
- Post your interest in the 14th Cavalry’s website on your Facebook page and invite others to visit our website. Email that information to your friends and relatives so that they can learn about our history and our monument. Send a tweet, an Instagram or blast the information on whatever other social media you or your family participate in.
- If you served in, or are serving with units of the Regiment, send any contact information you have on people you served with to opscen@14cav.org. We want all 14th Cav veterans to know about the monument built to honor them. There are many for whom we do not have contact information, including those on active duty, but no longer with a 14th Cavalry unit. Don’t be concerned whether or not we have the information. Send it and we’ll check against our membership list so that they are not contacted twice.
- Add your own legacy to our memorial by purchasing a memorial brick! More information about purchasing a memorial brick can be found here.
Questions may be addressed to opscen@14cav.org