[MV] Reality Check
Sean Bathrick (Bathrick@imcchemicals.com)
Fri, 07 May 1999 18:04:33 -0500
My M38A1 dates me by 15 years and my M135 by 17 years, whereas my M416 is =
just a year older. Unfortunately, I do feel that as time goes on and the =
memories of WW2, Korea, Vietnam, etc.. begin to fade, there will be fewer =
that care to preserve the vehicles. With no help from the regulators that =
stop at virtually nothing to have all the green machines parked, due to =
safety, environmental concerns or because they are a representation of the =
"military." Which is unfortunate to think means "bad" in some way or in =
people's minds in general. I grew up hearing the stories of my grandfather=
in the Aleutians, Iwo Jima, Saipan, Korea after the war, etc.. Hearing =
about the jeeps, trucks, Zeros strafing them as they advanced on positions.=
The men that he fought beside, the comradery. But the jeep was always =
in there somewhere. When he first saw my jeep and went around the block =
in it, he had a smile from ear to ear. Even though it wasn't like the =
ones he drove, it sounded the same, smelled the same and evoked an evening =
of stories. That is probably the biggest reason I am in this hobby. My =
son is even addicted. He asked on his first day of school, kindergarten, =
that I stay home that morning and take him in the jeep. Which I did with =
pleasure; he loved every minute of it. Any chance to go around the block =
or to the store in it, he's there. So even though the numbers of us may =
decrease, it may not be a lost hobby. It is our responsibility to share =
our history with those who will always want to know what it was like, no =
matter how few. To experience the sounds of the 134 purring, the whining =
of the gears, the smell of the canvas/exhaust/gear oil all mixed together. =
It is a rare occasion that I don't get a wave or thumbs up when I am out, =
so let's not lose faith yet.
Just my Two Cents
Sean
MVPA 14222
53 M38A1
51 M135
67 M416
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