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Dianna and I were running some errands yesterday (not in the Deuce, but in her minivan) and one of the stops was the Post Office.
While patiently standing in line, the gentleman behind us struck up a conversation. He recognized me from recent Newspaper Parade Photos and my occasional presence at City Council Meetings, etc. Here's how the conversation went....
Him: Aren't you John with the BIG old Army Truck?
Me: Yes, sir, that would be me.
(Introductions... including his supervisory position with Code Enforcement)
Him: I've "always" wanted a Deuce and a Half. How did you get yours?
(Quick "story" and overview of GL, GSA, and other sources.)
Him: WOW! I didn't realize that they were so readily available.
Then the floodgates opened and the questions started flowing....
How did you learn how to drive it?
Can you get parts?
Is it fun to drive?
Do you take it off-road?
If I get one, would you help me figure it all out???
(Now I KNEW I was talking to a new addict needing a "FIX"!!!)
Are there others around here that we can get together with?
(OK - Now he's showing signs of OD Fever.)
Me: (I answered all his questions and our friendship is taking root. Looks like next weekend we'll be giving him his first ride and "lessons".)
At this point in the conversation it was our turn with the Postal Clerk.... afterward we lingered until he was done with mailing a PILE of REGISTERED MAIL CITATIONS (I thought that to be a little ironic - but it is his job.)
We then briefly resumed talking.... and he related this...
Him: I've had several calls about seeing your truck all over town. Some have said that it has no license plates and no inspection sticker, so it must not be "legal". I've had to assure them all that you have a a perfectly legal Former Military Vehicle and that you do wonderful things for the community with it. They usually accept that, but a couple of the complainers refused to accept my "authoritative" reply and threaten to call the Police.
I've also talked to the Police about your truck and they tell me that they get calls about you practically every time you drive it. They also assure the gripers that you're perfectly legit.
Finally, he added that even one City Councilman wanted the truck IMPOUNDED and BANNED from the City, but he (the Code Enforcement Guy) informed the Councilman that he wanted to get one too and that Texas Law supported the hobby. And that if it were brought before the City Council he, as a Code Enforcement Officer, would speak against any ordinances attempting to restrict Former Military Vehicles or Antique Cars and Trucks. (Several City Board Members and another City Councilman are VERY active with their Antique Cars - So this was a pointedly inclusive rebuke of any "threat".)
I sensed that he was already feeling kinda proud to be speaking out for the MV Hobby.
BTW: The Postal Clerk that waited on him happens to own a "fleet" of restored antique postal vehicles - from Cushman 3-wheelers to Jeeps, to Gruman (sp?) route trucks, and even an old USPS Tow Truck!
... With that, we went our separate ways and are all looking forward to a long and fun friendship.
It's GREAT to have a City Official infected with OD Fever! And for him to be in such a key position to run interference on any potential complaints.
While patiently standing in line, the gentleman behind us struck up a conversation. He recognized me from recent Newspaper Parade Photos and my occasional presence at City Council Meetings, etc. Here's how the conversation went....
Him: Aren't you John with the BIG old Army Truck?
Me: Yes, sir, that would be me.
(Introductions... including his supervisory position with Code Enforcement)
Him: I've "always" wanted a Deuce and a Half. How did you get yours?
(Quick "story" and overview of GL, GSA, and other sources.)
Him: WOW! I didn't realize that they were so readily available.
Then the floodgates opened and the questions started flowing....
How did you learn how to drive it?
Can you get parts?
Is it fun to drive?
Do you take it off-road?
If I get one, would you help me figure it all out???
(Now I KNEW I was talking to a new addict needing a "FIX"!!!)
Are there others around here that we can get together with?
(OK - Now he's showing signs of OD Fever.)
Me: (I answered all his questions and our friendship is taking root. Looks like next weekend we'll be giving him his first ride and "lessons".)
At this point in the conversation it was our turn with the Postal Clerk.... afterward we lingered until he was done with mailing a PILE of REGISTERED MAIL CITATIONS (I thought that to be a little ironic - but it is his job.)
We then briefly resumed talking.... and he related this...
Him: I've had several calls about seeing your truck all over town. Some have said that it has no license plates and no inspection sticker, so it must not be "legal". I've had to assure them all that you have a a perfectly legal Former Military Vehicle and that you do wonderful things for the community with it. They usually accept that, but a couple of the complainers refused to accept my "authoritative" reply and threaten to call the Police.
I've also talked to the Police about your truck and they tell me that they get calls about you practically every time you drive it. They also assure the gripers that you're perfectly legit.
Finally, he added that even one City Councilman wanted the truck IMPOUNDED and BANNED from the City, but he (the Code Enforcement Guy) informed the Councilman that he wanted to get one too and that Texas Law supported the hobby. And that if it were brought before the City Council he, as a Code Enforcement Officer, would speak against any ordinances attempting to restrict Former Military Vehicles or Antique Cars and Trucks. (Several City Board Members and another City Councilman are VERY active with their Antique Cars - So this was a pointedly inclusive rebuke of any "threat".)
I sensed that he was already feeling kinda proud to be speaking out for the MV Hobby.
BTW: The Postal Clerk that waited on him happens to own a "fleet" of restored antique postal vehicles - from Cushman 3-wheelers to Jeeps, to Gruman (sp?) route trucks, and even an old USPS Tow Truck!
... With that, we went our separate ways and are all looking forward to a long and fun friendship.
It's GREAT to have a City Official infected with OD Fever! And for him to be in such a key position to run interference on any potential complaints.
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