Sedric & Phyllis Wirt invited us to meet at their home and have a bite of lunch before convoying with our trailers to Sherwood. We unloaded our vehicles at Sedric's son's place of business and drove over to the parade line up. Our 6 jeeps transported veterans for the Sherwood VFW: Sedric Wirt's GPW; Paul Harless's GPW; Bob Blakeney's GPW; Joe Allison's MB Slat Grill; Floyd Blakeney's M151A1 and David Hopkins 's MB. Also riding in the jeeps were Betty Smith, Ev Harless, Phyllis Wirt, Nick Hopkins and Tom Hopkins. The VFW was given a participation certificate and won 2nd place in the parade

The Plumerville Veterans' Parade began at 1100. Thirteen AR MVPA members participated in this event: Vic Brown rode on the Veterans' float; Fred DiVincenzo drove his Military decorated Ratmobile; Betty Smith (WWII Veteran and newest honorary member of the AR MVPA) was a rider in Paul Harless's GPW; Joe & Rita Allison followed in their MB; Bob & Gloria were next in line in their GPW; Floyd Blakeney's M151A1 with passengers David Vaught and Joe Tyler was the 4th military vehicle; Pete Rossi was next in line in a M38; last in line was Steve Smith's Command Car, with Ev Harless and Spookie as passengers. Representative Johnny Hoyt dedicated the Veterans monument. The Attorney General’s office representative dedicated a memorial monument in memory of Joey Cannon (shot in the line of duty when he stopped a vehicle on Hwy 64, earlier this year). Joey's family was presented with a plaque. Food and music started at noon.

This album shows the take down-pack up and the day after the rally, the put away. This was the end of another great rally.

This album contains pictures of various members, guests, award winning vehicles/displays and awards.

This album includes most of the 60 vehicles, trailers and cannons that were at the rally. Some photos were taken at the Red Bluff overlook. Most of the others were taken on the Rally field.

Fridays trail ride was to the Petit Jean Overlook. Vic Quick drove Paul Harless's M38 as the lead vehicle. It sputtered and balked the whole ride and made it back as far as the Automobile museum before it quit. Steve Smith towed the M38 back to the rally grounds. Seems it had water in the gas. The Saturday trail ride around Red Bluff Drive also had a break down and once again Steve came to the rescue with his tow strap. Both trail rides provided scenic views from the mountain and a joy to the participants. The Red Bluff overlook was a photo opt, where all vehicles were photographed, with riders and without.

This album includes vehicle games, entertainment, vendors and Junior member activities

Wednesday and Thursday (23rd-24th) were set up days. The first job was to construct the Quonset Hut and cut the new cover to fit. Next the Field Kitchen was towed in and set up. Display canopies and displays were set up. Vehicles, cannons and the teeter totter were brought in.

The Rat-Mobile is a rat rod built up by Fred DiVincenzo using a 30s pickup body for the basis. It has been hopped up and decorated with militaria. It was on display at the Petit Jean Rally

Convoy pictures were taken around bends and curves and at quick gas stops along the way.

A picnic lunch was served at the War Eagle Mill. Photos were taken of all 37 vehicles as they crossed over the picturesque bridge on the final leg of the trip back to Fayetteville.

Military vehicles were on display on the Huntsville town square. The antique stores, coffee shop and botiques were popular shopping places. Kevin Chartan and Ev Harless found a way to the top of the Antique shop to take some birds eye photos.

The first stop for the Red Ball Convoy was at the Round Mountain Community Church. They provided us with refreshments and a rest stop.

The second stop was at a road side park with a scenic river that flowed from under the rocks. This was a time to relax and visit.

The Saturday night BBQ and Awards was held at the Ford Baptist Church, a Community Church in Greenland, just south of Fayetteville. Paul Harless was surprized to see his birthday cake with a photo of him M38. Awards were given to: Joe Scheaffer who traveled the farthest (GA) and for driving a military vehicle the farthest (from Mountain Harbor Resort to Fayetteville); Ed Gayle oldest participant; Tom Hopkins youngest participant; Joe Allison most vehicles in the convoy; Jim & Tommie Sanders trailered a mv the farthest and Jerome & Marsha Casey planning and implementing the Red Ball Convoy. John Pojunos spoke about the importance of the MVPA.

The hundred mile convoy "Red Ballin' Thru the Ozarks" began and ended at the Clarion Inn. 37 vehicles and around 85 participants gathered for the event, organized by Jerome & Marsha Casey, with help from Lewis & Molly Anderson and Dan Sharon. Vehicles were trailered from as far away as Baytown, TX (approximately 600 miles) and one participant from GA.

We visited the Veteran's Home in Fayetteville. Vehicles were displayed in front of the building and veteran's came out to visit and view the military vehicles.

We met at the home of Sedric & Phyllis Wirt to unload our vehicles and form a convoy to the Sherwood Christmas parade. Phyllis served a BBQ luncheon. Their friends Wayne & Stacey Majors; Joe Allison, Gus Jones and his grandson; Paul & Ev Harless; Bob, Gloria and Floyd Blakeney; David, Lenna, Nick & Tom Hopkins; the Wirts great nephew, niece and 2 children all participated. Hunter Douglas and a friend met us at the parade line up with their Mut & Deuce. Seven jeeps and a deuce and half followed the color guard, with a number of veterans and the ex-mayor Harmon as passengers. Robert Woods drove his dad's little green MG at the end of the parade. The crowds were large and the children enjoyed candy provided by the VFW.

In Spite of the cold, windy weather the "Rock Crawlers" came in good numbers to participate in the Veteran's Appreciation and Wounded Warrier Weekend at the Superlift ORV Park in Hot Springs. On Saturday the AR MVPA had 3 vehicles on display. David and Tom Hopkins were the first to arrive with their MB. David & Tom left to get gas and Rich & Wendy Kitkoski came with their M38 - not seeing any AR MVPA members there and with the wind blowing cold they decided to leave. Paul & Ev Harless and Mark Simmons & friend arived shortly after 9:30 with their M38s. We visited around the fire built in an endcap from the pipeline. Tom got to drive his dad's MB. At noon Hotdogs and hamburgers were served from the "Crawler" grill. We cooled our insides with icecream. David & Tom stayed to ride on the trails. It was a nice event but a very cold and windy day!

This was the 9th Annual Pope County Veterans Day parade and "Salute to Freedom Ceremony". AR MVPA provided 2 M38s for the parade. Paul Harless's passengers were: Grand Marshall Maynard Gordon and Mrs. Leonard; Tim Smith's passengers were a Korean War veteran and his wife and Ev Harless. The ceremony included recognition of the sponsors; a history of Veteran's Day; music by the Tech College Band; the National Anthem; and the Pledge of Allegiance. Special Recognition was given to the Korean War Veterans as veterans of all other wars lined the walkway to extend a handshake honoring each Korean War veteran. All veterans participating were given a Korean War challenge coin. The ceremony ended withy a 21 gun salute and Taps. This ceremony was a heartfelt, impressive honoring of Veterans who have given so much for our country.

Veteran Appreciation Day was coordinated by Roy McClure, Melanie Garett and Billy Sanders. It featured displays by the VFW Post 4453 of Morrilton; the Kurtz family war memorabilia; the Plumerville Ass. of Conway County Veterans and the Salute to Oppelo Veterans. The parade, with Brigadier General Charles D. Martin as Parade Marshall, traveled through downtown Plumerville. AR MVPA participation included: Sedric & Phyllis Wirt, Joe & Rita Allison; Floyd, Bob & Gloria Blakeney, Joe Tyler, David Vaught; Clayton & Linda Jones; Pete Rossi and Ev Harless with 6 military vehicles in the parade. The Boy Scouts presented colors as the Cub Scouts looked on. The afternoon program included speeches by B. Gen. Martin, Conway County Judge Hart, Mayor Paladino and a music program. Outside vendors and food vendors were set up. This album is under constructionand more photos will be added.

Petit Jean Mountain is home to the annual AR MVPA Military Vehicles Rally. The beauty of the mountain draws visitors from all over the world. It is the first Arkansas state park. There are many trails to hike, views to admire and activities to attend. Mather Lodge and Winrock Center provides lodging and restaurants. The Museum of Autos is host the the Petit Jean Rally and the antique auto swap meet each fall. The AR MVPA takes a trail ride on Red Bluff Drive where vehicles are photographed at the scenic overlook.