As usual, this event is a BLAST! Our group began
arrival about 8:30am on a beautiful Saturday morning. Web S drives a
huge truck tractor and trailer and had Jim S's half-track and Don C's APC
with TOW launcher from the Camp Mabry museum already there. Danny
and I then arrived followed by John K.
Danny brought his 1970 M151A2 and M416 trailer, I brought my 1939 Colson
bicycle and John brought his '45 MB. Ray V showed up with his M151A2
as did former member Houston W and his '54 civilian Dodge Power Wagon.
After unloading our vehicles, we wandered over to the usual lunch
establishment - Bill Miller's BBQ across the street and ate. Around
noon, we headed back to the Alamodome for registration activities and
finally moved our vehicles into the Alamodome.
After attendance at the Drivers Meeting, the doors opened up to the
general public at 2:00pm for the pit-party at which point the floor became
a sea of spectators. Danny had lines of people in front of his jeep
for pictures. Jim and Don had lines of picture takers and
hand-shakers as well. Houston had a lot of traffic as did John and
his MB. Me and the bike...well, let's just say it wasn't as
popular as the others :-)
After the pit party was finished, our club was asked to perform a
drive-thru parade around the center area for a show of military
history. This was a thrilling part of the event as our club was
recognized as well as what these vehicles have done for the freedoms we
enjoy.
After the military parade, John was supposed to bring out the National
Anthem singer. That process however became a bit bungled and John
was left in the tunnel with no singer. Hence, he loaded his jeep and
found his way to our seats a short time later.
The show was interesting with Grave Digger and another 6 or so monster
trucks. There were the 4-wheelers, lawn tractor drags, sand drags
and a stunt at the end of the show.
As always, this is a fun first show of the season and based on the
turn-out of military vehicles, we put on a good show and added value to
their event. |