1. The letter states: "The MVPA was informed by federal government officials
...". Who are these officials? FBI? DOD? Who specifically is involved?
Was MVPA informed in writing? If so, please publish for all to see.
2. The letter states: "The government maintains that...". Who is the
government in this case? What exactly did they say? Was this in a written
document? If so, please publish it for all to see.
3. The letter states: "The policy was developed in the belief that it was in
the best interest of the MVPA membership and the MV hobby at large." I
respectfully disagree. The best interests of MVPA membership and the MV hobby
will be served by aggressive resistance to ANY attempt by the government to
interfere with private ownership. If they have a specific case of illegal or
stolen vehicles let them properly investigate it. This is outright
intimidation of a lawful private group where there is no claim of a crime
having been committed or planned. We should all cooperate with an official
investigation when and if there is one. Criminal activity cannot be tolerated
because it would surely ruin our hobby. But vague threats from unnamed
federal government officials must be strongly rejected.
I think MVPA should put its efforts into getting elected officials to help us
repel the bureaucrats. The MVPA is a legitimate organization of patriotic
Americans. We cooperate internationally with others who respect our country and
the contributions to world peace of the US armed forces. We should protest
loudly to our elected representatives. By trying to keep this quiet we
increase the chances of being lumped in with militias and others who are
outside the mainstream.
I would like to see MVPA join forces with veterans' groups, reinactment groups
etc. to force a showdown on this issue. I would like to see Stormin Norman
Schwartzkopf drive a privately owned, legal HMMWV up the steps of the capitol
building followed by a convoy of other HMMWVs and M151s all flying US flags.
Which Congressman is going to say WE are the problem?
How about the huge number of proud members of the VFW who rode these vehicles
all over the world? Do they want to see them suppressed? I think we can
take the high road on this issue and win!! But we have to demand the respect
we deserve, not cave in as soon as there is a threat.
I hope the mil-veh members will join me in insisting that MVPA stand up for
the rights of all owners of all types of vehicles legally obtained. This
should include protection for anyone who has inadvertantly purchased a
questionable vehicle after many transfers of ownership.
Chuck Chriss
MVPA 547C (Charter Member - MVCC 1976)
===============================================================================
An open letter to all MVPA members and MV hobbyists:
The MVPA was informed by federal government officials many months ago
that possession of ex-U.S. military M151A2s, Gama Goats, and HMMWVs
could present problems for our members. The government maintains that
none of these vehicles have ever been released to the civilian market
through legitimate channels.
After much discussion at a series of MVPA Board of Directors Meetings,
it was decided to temporarily decline advertising for these vehicles in
MVPA publications while an official policy was being formulated. In
response to recent events reported on MVPA ONLINE, in SUPPLY LINE and
elsewhere the prohibition was amended to include the 1997 MVPA Annual
International Convention in Memphis.
We're making good progress on development of a permanent policy which
will treat all military vehicles - and owners - fairly across the board.
Hopefully, we will have our new policy in place by the time of the
convention in July.
Our temporary M151A2/Gama Goat/HMMWV policy was enacted for the
protection of MVPA members and the national organization. The policy was
developed in the belief that it was in the best interest of the MVPA
membership and the MV hobby at large. We regret any inconvenience to
individual MVPA members as a result of our actions.
These issues have been fully discussed in SUPPLY LINE and for many hours
in open MVPA Board of Directors Meetings. Every MVPA Director will be
happy to discuss this topic, and others, with any MVPA member.
We'll survive this minor glitch - which really only affects a handful of
MVPA members - and be a stronger, better organization as a result of the
time and effort we are spending investigating this issue and formulating
a carefully-crafted policy.
Thank you for your patience and consideration, and, as always --
"Keep 'em Rolling!"
-- Jerry Cleveland, SUPPLY LINE Editor Military Vehicle Preservation Association www.mvpa.org