Every now and then a lister will make reference to the current topic
being discussed as a 'thread'. As we are all aware this thread twists,
turns, expands and truncates via the comments and experiences posted by
the mil-veh members. It is not uncommon to have four or five threads
snaking simultaneously through Arthur's server. Our membership spans not
only the globe, but generations of knowledge and decades of military
service. As one lister stated: "Who said this list wasn't educational?"
Thus a listing first made about saving the PT-3 spins and weaves its
way into a discussion of HMS Victory; ol' Ironsides; the Swedish WASA;
and 'Good Riddens Day'. Tales of Beltring twisted in and out between
fact and fiction; threads searching for that elusive kettenrad or those
over weight wannabe's in their PX Hero uniforms. Everyone took a fantasy
ride in the Breakfast Car. Already threads are spinning about 'Beltring
next year' and the logistics needed for bivouac. At the same time we're
being asked "Do you play with it?". An innocuous question about
immersion heaters is woven into a long running historical thread about
obsolete mess tins; K.P. Snuffy's; the sour mash hall fire; sleeping
bombs; raising Confederate ghosts; and a salute to Lef'tenant Shrapnel.
These non-OD threads are then followed by the inevitable posting: "What
does this have to do with HMV's ?" And that inevitably spins a thread of
its own. But has anyone here stepped back and looked at these threads as
a whole? Those individual threads braid together to become yarn, this
yarn is then weaved amongst other threads to become twine which is then
woven into strands of cord. Step back further and you will observe that
these threads of yarn and twine have woven themselves into a vibrant and
multi hued tapestry. A Tapestry of Military Vehicle History.
This tapestry is not the solid shade of Olive Drab as some members wish
it to be. It is alive and vibrant with a calliope of colours and hues
that have been woven together, one thread at a time. Over there, notice
that oaken colored twine about the USS Constitution? Woven within is the
gold braid of the USN's oldest HMV; the dark blue thread of bell bottoms;
and an amber thread of 79,400 gallons of rum. This twine then disappears
beneath the tapestry with the CSS Hunley, only to surface later as an
ocean blue thread about the Argentine BELGRANO; HMS Sir Galahad; USS
Arizona; and the ocean spanning threads that reported numerous sightings
of the lost 14inch guns.
Questions to the Shade Tree Mechanic about repairing an M35A2 blackout
light, air pressure hose, or tweaking a carb; then twist their way like
NOS wiring harness around DRMO Hell, FT Screw-us WA; red diesel in the
fuel tank; vehicle registration tips; a Tulsa Winch; Dual PTO's; TM
209-etc; OD Disease; and those yarns about the impatient civilians that
met your M35's pintle. Look closely into the twisted braids of 'Jeeps in
a Crate' and you'll see the twin black threads of methodical and
disciplined research, intertwined with the twilight hued memories of
those who were there. And the green thread of envy of those who wish
they had been. Over there, see that thickly braided cord of drab green,
bright white and red cross? It's the woven history of the Austin
'Katie'; WC-54; C15TA; Kfz 31; M43; M996. Look deep within that cord and
you'll see thousands of smaller darker threads entwined within, and
impossible to separate. Threads that are coagulated to the mil-veh for
all eternity.
The Military Vehicle Tapestry did not start with a web site, it's much
more ancient than that. We are but an electronic continuation of this
tapestry, our thoughts and comments are recorded for future mil-veh
members. Step back and gaze upon the historic length and breath of it.
Notice that colorful, but tattered and frayed cord first spun by the
wooden chariots of Mesopotamia; Crete; Kadesh; and the Sinai of 2500 BC.
That ancient cord snakes and twists it's way unbroken to the brazen
chariots of Cambrai; El Alamein; Kurst; the hedgerows; and the Sinai of
1973 AD. Interwoven and fused within this twine are the multi hued
threads of red wool; horizon bleu; khaki; fatigues; feldgrau;
herringbone; cammies; BDU's; and bare skin. Littered throughout are deep
stains of orange rust; black oil; gun metal; and charred holes. These
are interwoven amongst twines of frayed canvas webbing; polished brass;
leather boots; field gear; and the silken thread of Lili Marleen. These
non-OD threads CANNOT be separated from the OD mil-veh. These memories
are what MAKE the Military Vehicle Tapestry what it is.
When listers ask: "What does this have to do with HMV's?" I draw your
attention to the history of the humble jeep. From the Willys MB through
Ford GPW; M38CDN to M151A2 this little wonder has created a tapestry of
its own. Mention the word 'jeep' to a veteran and he doesn't think of
Jeep Shovels; an M31-C mount; or antennas rubbing on canvas. He thinks
of "that recon we found the wine cellar north of Anzio"; or "winter jeep
recee's between the pines at CFB Boredom"; or "that R&R in Vung Tau with
baby-san and the MUTT". It is these off topic threads that have polished
the OD legend to such a high luster. Those brightly colored threads of
remembrance, wisdom, and individuality are intertwined and inseparable
from the Tapestry of Military Vehicles. Often they are the OD Disease
that starts -- and completes -- a restoration project. Trying to
separate an off colour thread that starts with "Now THIS is no shit...."
from the Tapestry of the Mil-Veh, is like trying to separate the red
thread from Royal Navy rigging.
Ladies, gentlemen, fellow weavers, this Military Vehicle Tapestry is
breathtaking to behold in its fullness and multi hued brilliance.
Electronically feast your senses upon it, in all its intertwined color
and historic depth. But remember, everything that is said by the mil-veh
listers -- the good, the bad, and the embarrassing -- is recorded on the
tapestry for future archaeologists to unearth and digest. Just as we
judge the past by reading its threads, so the future will judge us by
reading ours. Before you post something: Think about the Future.
I have now finished spinning another thread for this tapestry and the
twine dangles loose for other weavers to splice upon and extend upon. If
you wish to weave another thread, I ask only that you delete this thesis
before listing. Unlike history which is infinite, Arthur's server space
is limited.
L.A.B.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Jan 02 2001 - 23:13:20 PST