MVPA Convention in Evansville, IN: Vehicles; Circus Acts by the Joey Kelly Circus; Saturday Awards Banquet

MVPA Convention - Evansville, Indiana: Events of Friday, Aug 08, 2009 - Registration, Vendors (inside, under pavillions and outdoors), AR MVPA members, Friday Dinner and Auction.

The dinner and tours of the LST 325 was a highlight of the Evansville Convention. The LST (Landing Ship Tank) is amphibious. It can land troops, tanks, supplies, vehicles and weaponry onto enemy territory. They were used during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, by all branches of the service. The LST 325 was an important defense of the USA. It was 1st launched on 27 Oct 42 and served in the Mediterranian until 11 May 45. It made over 40 trips from England to Normandy in support of our troops. It was backup for troops going ashore at Omaha Beach. Men and vehicles were unloaded onto KUKWs and LCMs on 07 JUN 44 at Omaha Beach. She returned to the states on 11 MAY 45. The LST was decommissioned and then reactivated in 1951 and 1963. She served in the Greek Navy from 1964 until 1999. In 2000 she was shipped to Alabama and is currently being restored and is serving as a Museum in Evansville, IN.

There were approximately 20 military vehicles and 30 paticipants at the Mid South Rally in Millington, TN. Bob & Gloria Blakeney, Floyd Blakeney and Paul & Ev Harless attended from Arkansas. Paul, Bob & Floyd were judges for the event. The weather was perfect. Friday evening events began with a parade of the best dressed goats. Vendors and displays lined the main street of the grounds. There was a Civil War encampment which held both Confederate and Union soldiers. The Mid-South rally began in earnest on Saturday morning with the main tennts set up and military vehicles ringing the field.Under Construction. Bob MacFarland began the meeting around 20:00 a.m. Lunch was served and then the Arkansas folks returned home to await the arrival of Hurrican Ike.

The AR MVPA provided 6 jeeps to carry veterans in the Veteran's Day Parade in Branson: Sedric & Phyllis Wirt; Jack Brannon; Joe & Rita Allison; Floyd Blakeney; Bob & Gloria Blakeney; Ben & Jane Hunt; Jeff & Beverly Ellison; Marvin & Juliann Green; Mike & Tammy Rossi; Ron Grasso & Mickie Wizer; Steve Smith; and Paul & Ev Harless participated in various Veteran's events. The main passengers for our vehicles were the Korean War POWs, survivors of the death march and the Suncheon Tunnel Massacre. The Railsplitters Reenactment vehicles and members are also included in this album. If you wish to id a vehicle or persons, please write it in the comments section below the picture. Thanks, Ev

The Mid South Rally is held in Millington TN in conjunction with the international festival called "Goat Days". AR MVPA members Joe & Rita Allison, Ben & Jane Hunt, Joe & Gladys Johnson and Paul & Ev Harless attended from AR. The hospitality was great and we always enjoy visiting with the Mid South members. There were a variety of vehicles. We left in time to avoid the flooding rains that began Sat. evening and continued into Sunday.

The Saturday night awards banquet was held at the Doubletree Hotel. The theme for the evening was "Kilroy was Here". Decorations were arranged by Rita Allison and Jeanette Rossi. The evening began with music by the Stardust Big Band of Hot Springs. Dinner was followed by speeches from the Gunny of Mail Call, Gen. MacArthur (William D Hobbs) and Gen. Patton (Charles Varner). Al Nicholson, Paul Harless, Charles Varner and the winning vehicle award were presented by Jim Lurbe. The event concluded with dancing and photo ops with Gen. MacArthur and Gen Patton.

There were approximately 100 military vehicles on display at the 32nd MVPA Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas. If your vehicle was there and is not included send me a digital picture of it so it can be added to the gallery. If vehicles are mislabeled or have incorrect information please so note in the comment section below the picture so a correction can be made. Photos are by Ev Harless unless otherwise noted. Thanks, Ev

The Friday evening dinner and auction was held at the vintage Train Station in Little Rock. The theme "USO Show of the 50s" was reflected in the extensive decor. A bill board size slilde presentation of the past 6 Conventions, interspersed with WWII posters and Bob Hope USO shows of the Korean War Era, were played throughout the evening. This event was dedicated to the Wade family in memory of Richard. The Catfish/BBQ Chicken Dinner was a full house sell out with 355 in attendance. R. Lee Ermey, (Gunny) was the keynote Speaker. Bill Green, Mayor of Adona, AR, was the auctioneer. The auction brought in a record total of $4,056. This was an evening to remember.

General MacArthur is portrayed by William "Bill" D Hobbs of Columbia, MO. R. Lee Ermey portrays "Gunny" from Mail Call. Gen. Patton is portrayed by Charles Varner of Grandview, TX Photos are by Ev. Harless, Joseph Lorentson, Candy Stanley, Lacy Smith and David Hopkins. Photos are taken at the MacArthur Museum, the State House Convention Center, the dinner cruise aboard the Arkansas Queen, the Friday night auction at the Train Station and the Saturday night Awards Banquet at the Doubletree Hotel.

This album contains pictures of set-up, headquarters, club booths, vendors, judging, displays and activities inside the Convention Center. One hundred vendors were set up at 347 tables to sell and display parts. This year a photo display was added, where clubs or individuals could display photos depicting their club activities and members. 2007 Board Members: Al Nicholson, Pres; Lee Holland, VP; Charles Varner, Past Pres; John Dias, Sec; Linda Haas, Members Liazon; Reg Hodgson, Editor (Army Motors); Sven Johnson; John Pojunos, Treas; Art Pope, Cairman; Kenton Tucker, Convention Chairman; John Varner, editor (Supply Line); Randy Winthrow; Greg Wolanin. If you see unlabeled or mislabeled photos please correct them in the comments section below the picture. Thanks, Ev

The Thursday evening dinner cruise aboard the Arkansas Queen was a sell out with approximately 200 members aboard. Sailing from the North Shore Maritime Center (just across the river from the Convention Center and host hotel) on the Arkansas River we viewed the "Little Rock", the Clinton Center, the metropolitan skkyline, the Capitol, North Little Rock and the surrounding country side. Festove music by "Louisiana Bill" and band and the "Cow Boy Poet", Sierra Seawright kept the mood lively and entertaining. Dinner included Prime Rib, Shrimp Creole, Roasted Turkey, crisp salad, fresh steamed vegetables, rice and potatoes, served with coffee or tea and dessert. The bar was also available.

Five guest authors displayed sold and signed their books at the Little Rock Convention. Pat McGrath Avery made arrangements for the authors to be there. Authors included: Pat McGrath Avery; Joyce Faulkner; Ron Greer; S. Dale "Sierra" Seawright; and Billy Templeton. AR MVPA member and author, David Doyle, signed sold a variety of his military vehicle books at the "Military Vehicles Magazine" booth.

The Branson's Veteran's Day Parade is billed as the longest in the nation. It takes place at 11:00 am on the 11th day of the 11th month. Pat Boone was the Parade Marshall for the 72nd Annual Veteran's Day Parade. The Parade began at the South End of Branson Landing and continued on Hwy. 65 North to Commercial Street, proceeded to Main Street and turned right to Branson Landing Blvd. The parade theme was "Branson Doesn't Forget" This album is under construction.

Photos in this album are taken before and after the Veteran's Day Parade in Branson, MO. The parade theme is "Branson Doesn't Forget". AR MVPA had three military vehicles in the parade: Joe Allison's WWII GPW; Bob Blakeney's WWII 1943 GPW; and Paul Harless's Korean War 1953 M38. Matt Roberson, of the Railsplitters Reenactors also joined us with his GPW. If anyone can add information to the untitled pictures please add it in the comment section listed below each picture. Thanks, Ev

The Branson Scenic Railway Troop Train ride transferred veterans from Hollister to Branson and back to Hollister. Events at the Hollister train station, the Branson Train Station and at the Landing were provided to honor veterans of all eras. This album is under construction. It will be followed by events provided for veterans and the Veteran's Day parade in two separate albums. Registration for the Veterans events. Each veteran received an orange arm band.

The third annual TMVG Rally took place in Bristow, OK - August 12, 2006.vehicles. The rally brought in vehicles, airplanes and people from across Oklahoma and from out of state. Activities included posting of colors, air shows, swap meet, downtown parade, displays and a re-enactment. If you have additional information you can add to the photos write identification notes in the Comment section below the picture. Thanks, Ev

This album is includes pictures of most of the vehicles displayed on the 4th floor of the Nutter Convention Center. If I have the wrong information on a picture please correct it in the comments section. If there is not any information on a vehicle and you can identify it with the owner's name included please add this to the comments below the picture. Thanks, Ev

The second part of the vehicle Album includes vehicles in the arena area of the Nutter Convention Center. If I have made mistakes in information, please correct me in the comments section, Thanks, Ev

Vehicles outside the Nutter Convention Center are featured in this album. If any information is wrong or incomplete please help out by adding the correct information in the comments section. Thanks, Ev

This album includes the Thursday evening Dinner Cruise and the Saturday night tour of the Wright Patterson museum and the Awards Banquet

This album contains pictures of registration, displays, and people. It spans in time from Wednesday's set-up through Sunday morning take-down. If you have additional information on any of the pictures please add it in the comment section below each picture. Thanks, Ev

The 100 mile WWII Convoy began in Columbia with the first stop in Centralia where Bloody Bill Anderson (portrayed by Jim Lee) and A. V. Johnston (portrayed by Gary Chance) told of the massacre in Centralia during the Civil War. The lunch stop was in Mexico at the Audrain County Historical Society's Museum, where we were served a tasty steak dinner. The food was served on mess kits. At AuxVasse the community had refreshements ready as we pulled in. The final stop was in Fulton, where we visited the Churchill Museum. In all we traveled 103 miles of dusty gravel roads and some paved roads. AR MVPA members attending the Friday evening reception at the Courtyard by Marriot of Columbia: Joe & Rita Allison; Jeff & Bev Ellison; John & Rachel Ellison and Zack; Paul & Ev Harless; Bill & Mary Hobbs; Steve & Lynn Smith. This fine event was hosted by the Railsplitters 84th ID Reenacted.