FORT RILEY, Kan. -- What may become the first Vintage Military Vehicle Club on an Army installation is now forming.
"As far as I know, we will be the only post with a Vintage Military Vehicle Club," according to Bob Smith, Fort Riley museum director.
Smith and retired Sgt. Maj. Lowell May, who owns two vintage military vehicles, will be hosting an organizational meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Cavalry Museum. Those planning to attend should look for signs at the museum for the meeting room.
Those with an interest in the club, antique or vintage vehicles, preserving vehicles, history, war or another related element should consider attending, Smith said, adding members do not need to own a vintage military vehicle.
The group will determine activities, as well as meeting times, dates and frequencies. The club will be self-governing, but will be sponsored by and meet in the Cavalry Museum.
The idea for the club was generated at the last Fall Apple Day Festival, in which May was invited with his vehicles. May has a 1952 Jeep, complete with a Davy Crockett, designed to launch nuclear warheads one-and-a-quarter miles.
"One of the worst military weapons ever," Smith said, referring to the distance the warhead could be sent.
Initially, the Army had only 50 of vehicle of this type, he said, and only five are known to still exist.
May's other vehicle is a 1967 ambulance, which he acquired before the Jeep.
"I like history and always wanted a Jeep," May said, adding all it took to acquire one was a tiny bit of encouragement from his wife.
The Army sold vehicles to individuals in the past, according to May and Smith. Now, the Army gives vehicles to the forestry service and other organizations, and the vehicles are sold through those entities.
Of course, potential club members also can have an interest in military vehicles from other countries or from any period. And vehicles don't have to be motorized, May said. They could include bicycles, wagons or other types of transportation.
Smith and May will be sending out letters to nearby Kansas members listed within the three pages of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association members in Kansas.
They also will be placing ads in MVPA publications, "Supply Line" and "Army Motors," as well as a notice in "Military Vehicles," a non-MVPA publication. The move could potentially draw members nationwide. Smith and May both agreed they would love to see an antique military vehicle rally.
"If this works out right, we will have a really good turnout for the next Fall Apple Day Festival," Smith said.
For more information, contact Smith at robert.j.smith906.civ@mail.mil or May at 95c5pirm@eaglecom.net.
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