Military Vehicles, March 1997,: Re: MVPA

Re: MVPA

Todd Paisley (paisley@erols.com)
Sat, 1 Mar 1997 11:20:15 -0500

> There's been lots of "attack the MVPA" postings here on the list. I'd
> like to put in my two cents worth. I have no intention of boycotting the
> MVPA - of which I am a satisfied member, and will continue to support the
> MVPA in any way I can. Why? Because the MVPA is a bit like the UN. It
> might be that elements in the US would like to do away with it. It might
> be that elements in the US will "not pay thier dues", but it is STILL the
> place where collectors, both in the US and abroad can reach a world wide
> audience. Anyone who has ever had leadership of such a large
> organisation will know that not ALL decisions are either easy or
> pleasant, and that there will ALWAYS be attacks by discontented
> members, and others, no matter WHAT decision is made. There are
> always cases in leadership where "you're damned if you do - and you're
> damned if you don't". In cases like these you have to look at the
> arguments and come up with an answer which is backed up by some
> form of documentation, no matter how flimsy. I think the MVPA leaders
> have done that...
>
> So, MVPA - I'll keep on supporting your efforts, and your ruling on
> M151 and Hummer won't affect that in any way.......
>
> Regards
> LT Gerry Davison
> President FMKB - Denmark
> (Society for Military Vehicle Preservation)

Have they really given a solid case to support their actions? Where is the
evidence to support their banning of these vehicles, while other vehicles
which are supposed to go through the same demil-ling process remain?
If you look in the November 1995 issue of Supply Line they list the MVPA
Mission Statement which include the following sections:

"Preservation: Each member of the MVPA is encouraged to locate and
acquire potentially restorable military vehicles and actively
display such restored vehicles to the general public at parades,
static displays, etc. to further promote the idea of collecting,
restoring and preserving historical military transport."

"Education: The MVPA dedicates its energies to the education of both
its members and the general public on the historical significance
of the restoration and preservation of military transport
including the role each such vehicle contributed to eventual
peace."

Where in these paragraphs does it say "Well, only vehicles that are not
controversial."? I seriously doubt anyone can make the point that the
M151A2 and Hummer did not make a historical contribution that deserves
recognition. To deny them their place in history is going against
everything the MVPA stands for. To criticize others for trying that make
that point is just as bad as the leaders that made this decision. I think
the MVPA is a fine organization. It just made a bad decision that needs
to be reversed. If the decision is not reversed, the people who do not
agree with the decision should try and vote out these people. This is
democracy in action.

Todd Paisley

P.S. I don't even own a M151 or Hummer, but I subscribe to the notion that
if one section of the hobby is under attack, you should support them.
Otherwise, you are only being self-serving. This reminds me of the
following quote:

"In Germany, they came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because
I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up
because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I
didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the
catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a protestant. Then they came
for me, and by that time, no one was left to speak up.

Pastor Martin Niemoeller"