From: tsgcdo Dragisich (tsgcdo@msn.com)
Date: Sun May 22 2005 - 01:51:07 PDT
David,
We agree on a lot more things than we disagree.
First of, I understand your point of view that you feel it's wrong for the
MVPA to sponsor any event that is not open to all vehicles. I'm curious,
what do you do in the case when let's say the DOD asks for the MVPA's
assistance in
the dedication of Korean War Memorial in the Greater Indianapolis area.
They want Korean War era vehicles only. Why would it be ok for someone to
bring a 1943 Kubelwagon, a Pinzgauer, an OT810, a M151A2, etc., to that
event?
Second, I agree that decision on who is allowed to participate in the
parade rests with the sponsors of that event. Having said that, I am
curious about that Veterans Day Parade. Are ALL the participants, including
the marching bands, the classic car club, etc., in this parade veterans?
Regards,
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: <Multifuelreo@aol.com>
To: <tsgcdo@msn.com>; <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>; <soldierboy440@yahoo.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 9:20 PM
Subject: Re: [MV] MV's not allowed to participate in the Veteran's Day
> Mike,
> I know you too, from Camp Atterbury, and speaking with you on the phone.
> And
> as anyone who has read the 6-8 page story on that event that I did can
> attest
> - and I think you have seen it - it is apparent that I have the greatest
> respect for reenacting, and living history.
>
> I have a closet full of uniforms and web gear as well......and I have
> organized my share of convoys and rallies, and know full well how much
> work goes into
> these things.
>
> I think that living history is a wonderful educational tool....in the
> proper
> setting. I think that a tactical event like Atterbury can be a lot of
> fun,
> and that a "public demonstration" like the events at Ft. Knox....which I
> have
> also often written about can be both fun (and a lot of work for the
> participants), and educational for the spectators.
>
> I, however, think that the sponsors of any event.....be it a Veteran's Day
> Parade, a TSG battle, or Tim's Wine Country tour, have the right to run it
> any
> way that they see fit.
>
> In 03, Tim told me not to come in my vehicle....I didn't get on this list
> and
> complain...I didn't write an editiorial about it....I didn't talk bad
> about
> it to any of the people that I know who through the years have
> participated in
> it...people that are friends and acquaintances of mine, nor total
> strangers.....including people you and I both know.....ask around, there
> is no one who
> will tell you other wise. Perry Locke, Jon Shoop, Ron Grasso, Steve Lee
> Smith,
> Paul Harless to name but a few.
>
> There are, however, two issues at play. First, Tim got on this list and
> complained about being excluded from an event by the organizers...his
> initial
> complaint wasn''t about job threats or possible misuse of city
> assets...those are
> legitimate complaints, and I will steadfastly say such things are
> wrong....but
> his initial complaint about exclusion, strikes me as the proverbial "pot
> calling kettle black".
>
> Secondly, the participation of reenactors in a Veteran's Day parade. I
> think
> that decision should be left up to the parade sponsors. Tim, as a
> veteran/active duty member of the military, should certainly be asked to
> participate in
> this parade in his issue uniform....or in civvies. However, regardless
> of
> his intentions, I suspect that the sponsors, and many of the public, would
> perceive that in a parade setting, reenactors either are posing as
> veterans (even
> though that would not be the reenactor's intention), or are "kids dressed
> up
> playing army" - either of which would distract attention from the ACTUAL
> veterans being honored.
>
> If such a parade was opened up to reenactors, what would prevent me from
> dressing as a Vet from Iraqi Freedom and parading (I'm the right age
> group).....I
> could put on my Vietnam era gear and some might even think I was a vet of
> that. Would Tim, IIRC a Gulf War Vet, feel good about me participating in
> the
> parade reenacting as a Gulf War soldier......how would the spectators tell
> the
> difference?
>
> To a certain extent, many well-intentioned reenactors bring this on
> themselves.....I have been around a lot of guys on both sides of this
> (probably not as
> many as you Mike).....there are those at public displays who say things
> such
> as "I am portraying a platoon Sergeant of the First Infantry Division in
> the
> spring of 1944," and proceed to tell about this persons duties and gear.
> Then
> there are others who say "I am Sergeant Smith with the First Infantry
> Division......", and are so into character, and forceful with their
> presentation that
> the uninitiated leave thinking that today's army wears khaki and carries a
> Garand.
>
> In a parade setting, the latter is essentially the only face that is
> presented, baring a huge banner fluttering on the side of a CCKW loaded
> with
> reenactors....saying these guys are in fact reenactors....and all too
> often the
> reenacting unit name doesn't mention reenactors...so even then the sign
> would read "B
> Company, 1st Infantry Division" even though it is a reenacting unit.
>
> As an aside, and having nothing whatsoever to do with Tim's event, I do
> feel
> it is wrong for a group that bills itself as an international organization
> dedicated to the preservation of military vehicles sponsor any event to
> which all
> members and their military vehicles are not welcome, regardless of era or
> nationality.
>
> Regards,
> David Doyle
>
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