Retired Lt. Col. Dan Martin, organizer of the Historic Military Vehicle Rally, shows off a vintage uniform in a World War II-era jeep outside the Clear Creek Exchange at Fort Hood, Texas, Oct. 9. He said he's been conducting these rallies at Fort Hood since 2010.

Eighteen different historic military vehicles were on display outside the Clear Creek Exchange at Fort Hood, Texas, Oct. 9.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Military history buffs had the opportunity to see and touch some unique military vehicles and historic memorabilia at the 13th Historic Military Vehicle Rally and Static Display held at the Clear Creek Exchange here, Oct. 9.

Eighteen vehicles were on display, along with several tables of relic weapons, radios, uniforms and more. The enthusiastic owners were also there, sharing the history of all the items with interested passersby.

Retired Lt. Col. Daniel Martin, who served in several different Fort Hood units during his Army career, is the organizer of the rally and has seen it grow over the last 10 years.

“I started the rally back in 2010 here at Fort Hood,” Martin said. “I was an active-duty officer stationed here at Fort Hood and I had a World War II Jeep and I wanted to go out and drive around the training area.”

However, one does not simply drive WWII era vehicles around the training areas of Fort Hood. It took a lot of effort to get the event approved and conducted the right way. For it to happen at all, he needed some help.

“So I kind of put out some feelers, and we had our first rally November of 2010,” Martin said. “It was low key compared to what we are doing now.

“Since then, we have evolved it to Friday being the display day, and it can be anything from just bring your vehicle to whatever you would like to do or show off,” Martin explained. “And that part is for Fort Hood. It’s our thank you to the Soldiers and families and the leadership for letting us come and do this.”

The people participating come from a wide variety of different backgrounds.

“We have people, like me, who kit up all the way and kind of go whole hog to others who just have their vehicle her but they are too old to get under and fix it any more so they just show it off,” Martin said.

“All of them are retirees or have connections to the military, parents, or grandparents, or just an interest,” he said. “Some of them are active duty folks and they have taken the time to restore these vehicles which is quite unique.”