Merry Christmas from “The Things We Leave Behind!”  This holiday posting is in honor of the 11th Cavalry Regiment, now known as the “Black Horse” or 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the U.S. Army.

Eight months after the U.S. entry into the First World War; the men of Troop D, 11th Cavalry Regiment dined together to celebrate the holidays despite the fact they were far from home and family.  While the 11th Cavalry Regiment would remain stateside during that war, the unit would go on to win acclaim in the Second World War and Vietnam.  During the Cold War, the Regiment was a key unit in the “Fulda Gap” and served with distinction during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. [1]

But, 103 years ago today, the men dined on the menu below; uncertain about their futures as they waited for either conclusion of the war in Europe or deployment overseas.

One of the things I find most fascinating about this menu, is the ghostly image on the back.  Stored for decades with a photo, the below image was transferred to the menu.

SOURCE:

1.  11th Armored Cavalry Lineage.  The U.S. Army Center of Military History.  https://history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/armor-cav/011acr.htm  Accessed February 9, 2020.