"It made me appreciate living in America": Army Veteran Dan Newcome Reflects on Freedom and Service

Dan Newcome, a Mountainside resident and Army veteran, reflects on his military service and how it shaped his appreciation for American freedoms. At 18 years old, Newcome was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany from 1986 to 1988, where he served in an observation tower overlooking the East-West German border during the Cold War.

From his post, he watched East German guards with automatic weapons monitor farmers and observed the stark contrast between illuminated military barracks and dark villages below. Newcome's connection to Germany began earlier when his father, a Navy officer, accepted a position teaching for the Department of Defense. As a high school student, Newcome visited East Berlin while the Berlin Wall was still standing, an experience he described as "like going into a different time period." He later returned after the wall fell, calling it "a win without going to full-out gunfight."

The regiment patrolled the Fulda Gap, one of the most strategically important regions during the Cold War. Newcome explained that Soviet forces were expected to advance through this route to Frankfurt. During summer, East Germans were not allowed within five kilometers of the border, while winters brought complete darkness to villages below except for military barracks.

Newcome lost fellow soldiers during training accidents, emphasizing that "even peacetime military is dangerous." After two years in Germany, he completed his final active-duty year with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell before attending college on the GI Bill while serving in the Army National Guard.

Following college, Newcome began working on Wall Street. Today, he serves on the board of the Blackhorse Association, a nonprofit supporting veterans of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The association organizes an annual marathon at Fort Irwin, California, raising scholarship funds for children of current and former regiment members. Last year the event raised over $6,000, with a goal of $8,000 this year.

Newcome also completed the Norwegian Foot March, an 18.6-mile endurance event, finishing under time while competing alongside active-duty soldiers in their 20s and 30s.

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FAQ SECTION

Q: Who is Dan Newcome?
A: Dan Newcome is a Mountainside resident and Army veteran who served from 1986 to 1988 in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany during the Cold War.

Q: What was Newcome's role in Germany?
A: Newcome served in an observation tower overlooking the East-West German border, monitoring the strategic boundary during the Cold War. His regiment patrolled the Fulda Gap, a strategically important region where Soviet forces were expected to advance toward Frankfurt if conflict occurred.

Q: What was Newcome's connection to Berlin?
A: As a high school student, Newcome visited East Berlin while the Berlin Wall was still standing, describing the experience as "like going into a different time period." He later returned after the wall fell, calling it "a win without going to full-out gunfight."

Q: What did Newcome observe from his post?
A: From his observation tower, Newcome watched East German guards with automatic weapons monitor farmers and observed the stark contrast between illuminated military barracks and dark villages below.

Q: What military service followed his Germany assignment?
A: After two years in Germany, Newcome completed his final active-duty year with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell before attending college on the GI Bill while serving in the Army National Guard.

Q: What does Newcome do today?
A: Following college and work on Wall Street, Newcome serves on the board of the Blackhorse Association, a nonprofit supporting veterans of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He also participates in endurance events like the Norwegian Foot March.

Q: What is the Blackhorse Association?
A: The Blackhorse Association is a nonprofit supporting veterans of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. It organizes an annual marathon at Fort Irwin, California, raising scholarship funds for children of current and former regiment members.

Q: How much has Newcome's Blackhorse Association fundraised?
A: Last year's marathon raised over $6,000, with a goal of $8,000 for the current year.

Q: What is the Norwegian Foot March?
A: The Norwegian Foot March is an 18.6-mile endurance event. Newcome completed it under time while competing alongside active-duty soldiers in their 20s and 30s.

Q: Where can I find more stories about Mountainside veterans?
A: Union County Life covers veteran profiles and community stories from Mountainside. Visit unioncountylife.com for more local news.