Official 2019 Steel Soldiers Georgia Rally (19SSGR) - Georgia Military Vehicle Rally

[Floridianson]

Good to sea some old friends. Made it back home no problems.

 

[wheelspinner]

Just an unofficial pic that shows just how much rain we got Saturday. Whew!

But we still had this going for us-

 

[wheelspinner]

Mike’s last crew on Saturday night! Sera and Amy sure did LOVE working with Mike!

 

[Coffey1]

Dang it not one of you got stuck enough for me to try the wrecker out.

Not really I already know what it will do but I was really wanted to see the stuckee pull cable and block.

I thought Elijah was going to be the first but a deuce rescued him in the swamp.

 

[swbradley1]

Thanks to Ken filling Gimpy's tire for me when I had to run back in after Gimpyrider rolled her mower on the hill climb.

 

[Another Ahab]

Thanks to Ken filling Gimpy's tire for me when I had to run back in after Gimpyrider rolled her mower on the hill climb.

There's a mower squad as a part of the Georgia Rally?!

 

[swbradley1]

There was this year.

 

[michigandon]

I had originally planned to tough it out until today, but the leaky roof was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back for us.

 

[Floridianson]

Thanks to Dawn for the two cases and the tow bar. My friend was real happy with the bar and I should have gotten a couple of more cases. They will come in handy for my pistols and they are even TSA approved.
Thanks to everybody that bought something from me.

 

[SCSG-G4]

That's the one.

I have to ask, what the heck was the backhoe for? I didn't see it loaded back up.

It was going to Jon's father-in-law, who lives just the other side of I-20.

 

[SCSG-G4]

Got home about 1515, trailer parked in back of house, shop van refrigerators plugged into shore power. John Peck's trailer (with the two civvy jeeps on it blew a tire three miles from the club compound, so he left for there to get it changed out and on to the MVCSC compound. Further updates will be posted tomorrow.

 

[clinto]

Alright, another one in the can.

Where do you start?

We all appreciate everyone coming to the event and it's always our hope that people enjoy it.

We appreciate the fact that the event is family friendly and has the kind of atmosphere that first time attendees always mention when you ask them what they thought of it.

We appreciate everyone being courteous and not blasting loud music and all that sort of stuff.

Durhamtown always says our group gives them the least amount of trouble for the event.

This year was special in a sad way: 2019 was the last year for SCSG-G4's vaunted MKT operation. Mike came to me in 2008 and asked if I'd like to have him cook for the 2009 event. Over the years, SCSG-G4 grew and refined the MKT operation in a way that looked like a giant corporation was doing it. Two Deuces, one a 109 shop can converted into a pantry, got another MKT to increase volume and ease the work, etc.

This was 2009:


And all of you have seen the modern, two-trailer operation he has now:


SCSG's operation was a huge aspect of the rally's growth: D-town is in a rural area, it's a long drive to find a Zaxby's. And their cafe is limited menu and hours, so attendees had to bring an enormous amount of food to the event. I remember taking two huge coolers of meats, breads, condiments, drinks, etc. to the rally and constantly worrying about keeping everything cold enough. Once SCSG showed up, we just gave him a few bucks and we were fed. Easy peasy.

SCSG has been warning the rally that his retirement was imminent for a couple of years and this has allowed us to begin laying the groundwork for a replacement. I will miss the Saturday night steak dinners and the breakfasts with bacon, scrambled eggs and biscuits.

I will not miss the chilimac.*

*this is an inside joke with friends, not an indictment of SCSG's chilimac

I am sad that the ten year SSGR/GMVT MKT run is over, but I know it was a massive amount of work and every good thing has to come to end.

I wish there were ways to adequately thank SCSG for what he's done. Thousands upon thousands of people got to eat in an authentic MKT, with food out of the army manual and experience what their loved ones encountered in the service.

In no way shape or form would the Ga. Rally ever have gotten this big without SCSG. 20 years from now, there will be people describing how they went to an event and got to eat out of a real MKT.

Our thanks to him is small in comparison to his service to the hobby.

Wheelspinner (and family) & Recovry4x4 run the registration tent with such ease and professionalism that I could also go on for paragraphs about how they help attendees find other attendees.

Microjeep is an integral part of the MKT and he is so reliable that he gets leaned on for all sorts of stuff like hand washing station setup. Others like Glcaines are also invaluable.

AMGeneral72 is our mess tent expert and he and a large group of volunteers always get the tent up and down with a minimum of fuss.

All of this volunteer effort is what makes the rally possible and we're all grateful for these people.

Also, thank you all for buying t-shirts. The rally only makes money in two ways: t-shirt sales and food. We lost money on food this year due to the rainout on Saturday and t-shirt sales were what kept us in the black this year. Also, much thanks to Wheelspinner's grand daughter for her wildly aggressive marketing of the shirts.

SCM35A2 has created the 2019 multimedia thread: https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showt...iers-Georgia-Rally-multimedia-thread-(19SSGR)

Ok, the bad:

Every year, D-town hammers us with fees and on top of that, there's a ton of confusion in terms of what people should be paying because their staff training is limited (and I'm being kind).

I am working on solutions for 2020 which include looking at alternative venues.

At a minimum, I will absolutely get a detailed price list for what fees you should be charged and I will post it here and on the facebook page and if there's an issue, we'll fix it.

I apologize for the high prices and confusion, although I do want to stress that those are on D-town, the only rally money is t-shirt sales and food.

The rain really blew us out Saturday. D-town had called me Friday and said only 7 people had signed up for the convoy and it wasn't worth it for D-town to send employees down to the recreation center for $70. I walked around and talked to people about doing a non-stop convoy but there was limited interest.

IF YOU PAID FOR A HARDBALL CONVOY TICKET, D-TOWN SHOULD REFUND YOU. IF THEY DON'T, EMAIL OR PM ME.

Next year:

As soon as I have a date and a venue, I'll post it here and at https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaMilitaryVehicleRally/

Thanks all.

 

[Trailboss]

Whoo-eee! That was some kinda wind and rain last night. The wind blew the tarp so hard that it pulled the stakes up 3 times. The last time I just let the tarp flap and let the m101 trailer rock me to sleep. Even tho it rained all day Saturday, I enjoyed being out with like-minded folks all three days I was there.

 

[sandcobra164]

This is what Success looks like to some!

 

[microjeep]

only took 1 photo of the memorial I made for Ron, had planned to say something on his behalf Saturday night, didn't work out, thanks Clinto I do it for the good of the rally not for recognition, but thanks. Blew the rear main seal, I think, on the deuce and had the wife and meet me in my f350 to flat tow it the last 60 miles. had a great time looking forward to next year already.

 

[timntrucks]

Pam and I made it home safe again. had a great time staying at the rally site. missed some of my buddies that didnt make it !!!

 

[Recovry4x4]

I hated to bug out Saturday but registration wasn't happening and I was woefully unprepared for the soaking rain and standing water.

About the rally, it was great to see all my friends, make a bunch of new ones and see those who missed the last few years. Remember, Clinto and all those that work tirelessly in the background are only facilitators. You and I and all the folks we bring make the rally. Tell your friends, plan ahead and let's start thinking collectively about the 2020 rally. Opportunity awaits.

 

[MWMULES]

2058 miles on the trip odometer got home Sunday evening and dry. Now to unload and do some maintenance and cleaning!

 

[glcaines]

I made it home late Sunday afternoon in a caravan with Microjeep. I had a fantastic time, even with the rain Saturday. Many thanks to Welder1 for the hospitality and especially for taking the time to fabricate the ammo box and brass label for my Grandson Travis. He can't stop talking about what a good time he had and he's carrying that ammo box everywhere. Unfortunately, Microjeep's M35 apparently blew the rear main seal and he lost a lot of oil on the drive home. Usually it's me that breaks down, but I've been lucky for two years in a row now. I still haven't completely unloaded. Can't wait until next year!

 

[profo]

Made it home yesterday roughly 1300 miles round trip my BUTT is tired! Had great time again.