12th ANNUAL REPORT

GULF SHORES, ALABAMA

JUNE 10, 2009 - JUNE 14, 2009

The beginning of each annual begins with the planning. Each of us have to balance the leaving of home, family, and work to have a great time in traveling to and visiting the group of SCV enthusiast known as the Mechanized Cavalry. My trip started in Miami with 90 plus temperatures and little chance of rain. I think that most of us going to Alabama had the same weather. Despite the weather I picked up Cecil Raulerson #385 in Ft Meyers and began our travel toward Gulf Shores, Alabama. We began chasing Larry Carpenter who had left Tampa that morning and was about 150 ahead of. We never caught up to him, mainly because we got lost and found a short cut to Gulf Shores.
Arriving early, Cecil and I settled in to the hotel and prepared for the Officer’s Call on Wednesday evening. That Wednesday afternoon Wesley Frank #662 from Melbourne, Florida and Archy Bansch #542 from Oclde, Germany showed up. That gave us a total of four members from 3rd Bn Company D.
Officers Call on Wednesday evening was held in a room to small to accommodate everyone that wanted to attend. I’m not going to be able to give you all the details of the meeting because Capt. Ricky Womble from NC will be publishing the minutes of the meeting soon.

Future annuals have been decided: 13th Annual will be in South Carolina (date undecided), 14th Annual in Kentucky, 15th Annual in Arkansas, 16th Annual in Mississippi, and 17th Annual in Georgia.
Doug Nash #732 from North Carolina was promoted to Major of the 2nd Bn.
A motion to censor two individuals in the 2nd Bn. Company C was made and carried by all the Captains such that we, the Captains of the Mechanized Cavalry will present the problem of improper use of the EGroup in which Bud Crawford moderates. Kevin Stone negotiated the suspension of two individuals after presenting the vote of the Captains and evidence of the improper messages that were utilized unbecoming a southern gentleman from the Mechanized Cavalry on the EGroup.
The next three days were filled with exploring and visiting the sites that were important during the War of Northern Aggression.
On Thursday we first visited Fort Conde and down the street we found a cool watering hole called Veets. Afterwards we set off for Magnolia Cemetery where we laid a wreath and the Confederate Soldiers Monument. Afterwards we had lunch at Blue Gills.

On Friday we went to Ft Morgan on a ferry. It was a neat ride even though I got soaked a few times by rouge waves. I just had to sit up there by the bow. Friday night we all met at the Gulf State Pavilion on the beach for a free food dinner that was great and with a delicious selection of chicken, shrimp, crabs, and corn. Afterwards, door prizes were given out and new recruits were sworn in by Col Stone.
On Saturday, we went for another ride and finished on Saturday night at the camp grounds and we were entertained by the Rector family, BBQ and left over’s from Friday night. A great way to end the annual.

Report by Gregory Kalof #300.