Jeff:
In previous years I have supported (and continue to) this Museum show to the utmost of my ability (It's only 5 miles from my new house too)
I would bring the German Halftrack, DUKW, Gamma Goat, Deuce w/ DRASH shelter trailer, GPW jeep, 3/4t Command Car, TOW missile Jeep, the Weasel, a few pieces of artillery, etc. Give occasional rides to the kids and audience, and have a generally great time followed by consuming some beer which then led to me bidding high at the nightly auctions
![Very Happy :-D :-D](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
It took weeks to prep everything, days to haul it, and a few weekends to replace it all in storage...Lots of sweat equity there, and it's not the only show we put on in the area.
Somewhere along the line some local vehicle owners took offense to me bringing a majority of my collection (all at the bequest of the show hosts by the way) and started saying it was "Winget's Show" or some such BS and started rumors that I was compensated for this ....yes, sometimes the Halftrack was paid for due to having a local company haul it to and from, but never any money to my pocket....
So these complainers kept their stuff at home......
Several local collectors formed the Virginia Military Preservation Association,
http://www.vmpa.us so the group could become mutually supporting of the military 'collecting' and displaying hobby. Not just Military vehicles, but any military collectable the individual fancied, from buttons, books, prints, uniforms, reenactors, etc. all sharing these experiences and occasional it provided extra drivers for moving the vehicles or helping out at the shows.
We attempted to affiliate with the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA), but were told we'd have to "pay" them a share...(oh, I'm a MVPA member too, for somewhere around 25+ years so I can talk about the MVPA even back when it was the MVCC...) and it was rather exclusive, not permitting the other venues of military collecting, so we opted to stay 'independant' not-for-profit.
For the last two shows, I have not been able to participate due to my military assignment here in Afghanistan, but I am due back at the end of Oct...
Suffice it to say, next year I will be back (Northrop Grumman work permitting) and try my hardest to support the show with everything I can tow or drive to it, just like previous years.
What's disappointing is the pettiness of some to not bring their vehicles out, then say it was not a great show. Where were they
![Question :?: :?:](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_question.gif)
Just mouth pieces..be warry...
I mention this, as several new SS members have sprung up recently in the Tidewater Area, and I want to encourge them to "enjoy" the hobby, display when you can, and if you need a recovery tow or a part, feel free to ask me or a VMPA member and we'll see what we can come up with or assist.
You were parked beside my Desert Storm Vet Tan M35A2 that Lee brought over by the way. Ask him about a rescue mission one 'snowy night' when the hapless driver that thought a Deuce couldn't get stuck under the powerlines in Suffolk. We showed him what a real Multi-Fuel driver could do...
Thanks for the pics of the show, you can hit the link for VMPA and see previous show participation shots as well.
Regards and look forward to meeting you soon.
W. Adrian Winget
LTC, Infantry
Kandahar, Afghanistan
VMPA M543A3 Wrecker awaiting Hyd hoses, paint and a brake job upon my return.