From: multifuelreo@aol.com
Date: Thu May 19 2005 - 20:34:18 PDT
I have watched this thread with considerable interest.
It seems from the remark to the effect, "my WWII-era Jeep is welcome to
the parade, and I am welcome in my current issue military uniform - but
I am not welcome in my reenactor garb" that the parade officials want
to have a VETERAN'S day parade - not a "living history event" nor a
"costume ball."
I have the greatest respect for reenactors and those doing living
history.....but as you walk down main street in Columbia Mo. on a
parade route, you are not stopping to educate the public - there is not
an announcer going to be walking two feet away explaining the detail of
your web gear.
Tim organized a tour of Missouri - it is not a REENACTMENT - but a
group of folks supposedly riding around in their WWII-era vehicles - or
vehicles made to look like WWII-era vehicles - or folks in 18-wheelers
and Excursions he has invited and changed his policy for. He is the
organizer, and it is his prerogative to do so - just like the folks
running the Veterans Day Parade can set their own policy. Tim has
stuck to his guns about excluding non-WWII MVs (with the exceptions
listed above) - and it is his right to do so. Likewise, if the parade
organizers say "No reenactors" - that is there right, and he shouldn't
complain.
In my mind, aside from the apparent hypocrisy of "I can exclude who I
want, but no one can exclude me" where this crosses the line is when
the line is when the MVPA actively endorses exclusionary events under
the auspices of the National organization. By exclusionary I do not
mean segregated (vehicles that is) - if the WWII vehicles are parked
here, and Vietnam there, and German over there - that is fine BUT if
the handbill says "East Tunica Chapter of the MVPA presents....," then
all eras and nationlalities should be welcome. If the hand bill says
"Bill, Pete and Ted presents....." then they can say only GPW's built
in Louisville's on odd-numbered Fridays are welcome" and be in their
rights. Until the name and bylaws are changed to USWWIIMVPA, any event
under the MVPA banner should be open to any preserved Military Vehicle
- from a FT-17 to a Unimog. Want to have a WWI, WWII, Korea or
Vietnam-only event - that is fine.....but don't put the MVPA seal on
it, officially or unofficially.
My .02,
David Doyle
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