The U.S. Cavalry has come a long way from the days of mounted scouting and security.  Though the Stetson and spurs - and essentially the mission - remain, today's Cavalry Soldiers sit atop Strykers and in helicopters instead of on horseback.

Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division on Joint Base Lewis-McChord had the chance to showcase their Strykers and swap war stories with Cavalry veterans last week during the 14th Cavalry Association's annual reunion.

Held Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, reunion events included a 1-14 Family Readiness Group briefing, a Regimental Events Day and Cavalry Soldier panel discussions. The event culminated with a formal Regimental Ball, which was held Saturday in Olympia.

The unit played host to about 30 veterans and association members from across the country and their spouses. This year's reunion was a milestone, marking both the 110th anniversary of the founding of the regiment as well as the 10th anniversary of 1-14's reactivation on JBLM.

"Our Soldiers enjoy it," said Lt. Col. Jim Dunevin, 1-14 commander, of the unit's participation in the reunion. "They are proud of our history. We really push that here, and it I think it helps them think they are part of something larger than themselves when they can actually meet some of the guys who were in the unit (before) ... It lets them get a sense of history, their past."

Veterans traveled to the unit's headquarters on JBLM Sept. 30 for tours of 1-14 living areas as well as static displays of equipment, such as Stryker vehicles, laser sites and weapons. Some local family members came out as well.

Soldiers were on hand to discuss the machinery and answer questions. Lunch was provided by a field feeding team, and then veterans had a chance to ride in a Stryker and tour the motor pool and ranges. Later, they traveled to North Fort to observe the unit's digital training systems. 

"Today we call ourselves cavalry, but we are armored cavalry," said association President and Honorary Colonel Tom Cole, a retired major general who lives in Olympia. "The cavalry's mission, whether on horses or elephants or helicopters, has always been the same: to provide reconnaissance for the main body. So today we're in helicopters and Strykers and that sort of thing, but basically (we have the) same mission the cavalry's always had."

The reunion wasn't just beneficial for the participating veterans, though. It was also valuable for current Cavalry Soldiers. "I hope in 40 years they do something like this for me," said 1st Sgt. Charles Patrick. "So much has changed, but so much hasn't," added incoming HHT commander Capt. Matt Beall, who noted that the reunion allowed the younger Soldiers a chance to thank the veterans. "They weren't thanked (for their service) like we are," he said. "There was no FRG or support groups (back then). It's a way to pay it back. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here."