Reactivation Ceremony Newspaper Article
Reactivation ceremony for the Second Cavalry Regiment, 15 January 1943. The article (click here for picture) from Columbia, SC’s ‘The State’ newspaper reads: Outfit Welcomed By General Simpson Here Yesterday
The name of the Second Cavalry returned to the rolls of the United States Army yesterday morning, when the organization was reactivated at Fort Jackson.
The unit is the proud owner of one of the most glorious histories of any component of the nations military organizations.
Brig. Gen. Boyden E. Beebe, Post Commander of Fort Jackson, arrived shortly before the ceremonies began to welcome the new organization to the post. General Beebe then took his place in the reviewing stand with the Staff of the Regiment to await the arrival of Major General William H. Simpson, Commanding General of the XII Corps, to which the new Second Cavalry was to be attached.
With the arrival of General Simpson at 10:30, the brief but impressive ceremonies got under way. Lieut. Col. Charles H. Reed, Commanding Officer of the new unit, met General Simpson and escorted him to his place in the reviewing stand, and the band sounded “Generals Call”.
Maj. Thomas B. Hargis, Jr., Regimental Adjutant, then read General Orders No. 1, that officially created the new organization. Lieutenant Colonel Reed accepted command of the Regiment, and said that in accepting the name of the organization, they also accepted the responsibility that went with it.
Lieutenant Colonel Reed stressed the two responsibilities that (?) with the new Second Cavalry. First, the responsibility for living up to the Regimental motto, “Always Ready”; and second, the responsibility for adding to the 29 battle streamers already flying from the Regimental Colors. Said Lieutenant Colonel Reed, “we must not wait for combat, we must seek it. We will be as the old Second in battle - Second To None.”
SIMPSON WELCOMES
Maj. Gen. William H. Simpson, XII Corps Commander, then welcomed the new unit to the Corps. He told them that they were fortunate to be intrusted with the destinies of a Regiment that acquired so many honors and built up such a fine body of tradition during its long career. He stressed the fact that this could only be accomplished by hard and determined effort on the part of everyone in the Regiment, from the lowest basic right up to the commanding officer.
“Our enemies are the toughest and most relentless in the world. And to win we have to train ourselves in mind, body and soul, so that regardless of rain, cold, heat, sand, snow or mud, we are so well trained that the full force of the Regiment can always be thrown against the enemy. There are certain fundamentals I would like to have you bear in mind. These fundamentals are essential, and without them no organization…..(the article is torn off there.)
The caption on the picture reads: Pictured above in the reviewing stand at the reactivation ceremony of the Second Cavalry at Fort Jackson yesterday morning, are (from left to right): Front row, Maj. Gen. William H. Simpson, XII Corps Commander at Fort Jackson; Brig. Gen. Royden E. Beebe, Post Commander at Fort Jackson; Col. Edward M. Fickett, Commander of the Sixth Cavalry; and Lieut. Col. Charles H. Reed, Commanding Officer of the new Second Cavalry. In the second row are, Maj. Benjamin F. Stahl, Regimental Operations Officer; Maj. James H. Pitman, Regimental Supply Officer; Maj. Thomas B. Hargis, Jr., Regimental Adjutant; and Maj. Stephen W. Benkosky, Regimental Executive Officer. On the right is pictured the color guard of the Second Cavalry holding the national colors and the brilliant, yellow and brown Regimental colors as the Regiment saluted them for the first time. The cluster of ribbons at the top of [the] Regimental colors represent the 29 major engagements in which the unit has participated during its 106 year history.
Needless to say, the Reactivation of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment was Toasted with the traditional Regimental Punch, As Follows:
Regimental Punch And Ceremony
To the Regimental Punch Bowl add one bottle each of:
Cold Duck ( Champagne and Red Wine )
Rye Whiskey
Tequila
Kahlua
Southern Comfort
Bacardi’s Rum
Vieux Bordeaux
Napoleon Brandy
Vodka
Rhine Wine
Evian Water
Two Sharp’s Non-alcoholic Beers (Previous 2 French Lager)
Slivovitz….
The Regimental punch bowl ceremony is a time honored tradition within the 2d Dragoons. The Regimental punch, a term used to describe the elixir that is somewhat tasty, always potent and able to be served in a variety of capacities (both in liquid and solid form). The ceremony traditionally begins formal Regimental social functions such as Balls, Dining Ins and Dining Outs.
The Regimental punch is a substantive brew of proven medicinal value. It has warmed many a cold trooper on the screen and picket line, and inspired him to feats of glory. It cures what ails you, and in a pinch it is an effective bore cleaner for our cannons, lubricant for our vehicles or propellants for our missiles. True Cavalrymen maintain a base for the punch in their homes at all times.
The punch is prepared using very specific ingredients that represent the many battles and campaigns that lace the rich history of the 2d Dragoons. Each ingredient reminds us of those who have gone before us, and the responsibility we have to continue the superb service to our nation. This service has gone uninterrupted since 1836.
The 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (now 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment) was organized as the 2d Regiment of Dragoons in 1836 to fight the Seminole Indians in Florida. The Dragoons wore an eight pointed star as a cap ornament, which now forms the background of the Regimental Crest. The palmetto leaf superimposed on the star symbolizes the five years the Dragoons fought in the Everglades and swamps. Pour one-half bottle of Champagne and Red Wine over dry ice in commemoration of their baptism in battle.
One year after the Seminole Campaign, units of the Regiment added three more streamers to the Dragoon banner for battles against the Cheyennes, Nez Perces and Bannocks in the Southwest Territories. Pour Rye Whiskey over the dry ice to symbolize the taste for this drink which the troopers developed. Add Tequila for the fourteen campaigns fought in Mexico in 1846 and ‘47.
Kahlua is added for Captain May’s headlong charge into the blazing Mexican artillery at Resaca de la Palma. “Remember your Regiment, and follow your officers!” called Captain May, and it became the motto of the Regiment.
During the Civil War, the 2d Dragoons officially became the 2d U.S. Cavalry Regiment and earned 14 battle streamers. The names remind us of the tremendous sacrifice of life of some of our nation’s toughest battles. These include Fredricksburg, Antitiem, Chancelorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Manassas, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor. Sergeant Conrad Schmidt saved the life of his gravely wounded commander, Captain Rodenbough (a Medal of Honor recipient), at the battle of Winchester. At this time add Southern Comfort to the punch.
From 1866 to 1880, the Regiment once again did battle with the Indians in Wyoming, Kansas, Montana, and the Little Big Horn. In memory of this, add the last of the Champagne and Red Wine.
In 1898 the “2d Cav” entered the Spanish American War, fighting alongside Roosevelt’s Rough Riders. Now add Bacardi’s Rum to represent the streamer for Santiago.
The Regiment entered World War I and was the only unit to fight as Cavalry — horses and all. For such places as the Argonne and the Marne, add the French wine, Vieux Bordeaux. “Toujours Pret!” (Always Ready) was added to the Crest as well as the Fleur-de-lis.
Renamed the 2d Cavalry Group, Mechanized, the Regiment entered World War II, landing at Normandy in 1944, and led the advance of Patton’s Third Army throughout the remainder of the war. In a daring raid through Russian lines in the closing days of the war, troopers from the Regiment rescued the famous Lipizzaner show horses from Russian forces. For these actions, now pour Napoleon Brandy.
The next campaign liquor put to use in this historical punch, Vodka, represents the Ryukyus battle fought at the close of World War II.
The Regiment was re-designated the 2d Constabulary Regiment and served in the German occupation. In 1948, it became the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment and began border duty along the longest stretch of the Iron Curtain patrolled by American Forces. Rhine Wine symbolizes the Central Europe campaign, the drive through Germany, and the long Cold War.
The next ingredient to add to your historical punch is that which sustained the fighting spirit and élan of the Regiment during its combat in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait — Evian Water.
Flexibility and versatility are trademarks of the Second Dragoons, and the Regiment once again proved it in Haiti. As a member of the Multi-National Task Force, the Regiment had driven more accident-free miles, ate more dust and drank less beer than any other unit in recent memory. To commemorate our Haitian experience and the “two beer limit,” add 2 Sharp’s Non-Alcoholic Beers.
Responding once again to the Nation’s call, the Regiment deployed to the Balkans as part of the Stabilization Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In honor of our Balkan peace keepers, a bottle of Slivovitz (Plum Brandy) is added to the mix as the final ingredient.
Now for the hardest job of all — to drink this punch!!!
