From: timothy.smith1@att.net
Date: Tue Feb 14 2006 - 08:10:53 PST
Well, I am aware that we history-minded types regularly assume that folks still
The MVPA owes this kind of thing to the membership. We all know how to display
Yeh, MVPA should agree upon and offer up some simple display guidelines. For
Weapons shall not be loaded or have the appearance of being loaded. Visitors to the vehicles shall not be permitted to manipulate or handle weapons. Unfortunately this rule also includes veterans, who we acknowledge have earned the right to handle weapons but who do not have the right to injure the public perception of our hobby. Arrangements can always be made for this to happen privately.
I only organize my group's participation in the parade. I have no authority over other group members because each owner is the captain of his own ship. I do hold sway over the group by explaining the 'whys' of these guidlines. They're a sensible lot.
But the variety of guidlines we agree upon may change depending upon what we are doing. Certainly if it is a private display (say, for a Veteran's organization) we relax things a bit but for public stuff we are always on our guard against misperception.
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recognize our vehicles for what they actually are, when in fact many folks now
approach (by way of an example) a WWII US half-track and not only are they
unable to identify it, they don't even know who's side it fought for! I know
this sounds strange but it's true. Just spend a little time displaying your MV
on the fringes, (unlike museums and living history events where the already
history-minded tend to congregate) and you will hear young fathers proudly
telling their young sons that what they're looking at is a (insert any
incredibly stupid thing here). So, for the benefit of the uneducated or
misinformed we curators of privately owned historical MVs have to start doing a
better job when presenting our vehicles to the public. Otherwise, some
numbskull is likely to lump us in with some of the kooky militia nut-jobs we
read about in the news. And perception is reality, brother.
our vehicles, but we often times just don't make the extra effort. I'm as
guilty as the next guy but I also know that quality in displays doesn't
necessarily equate to quantity. Displays can be economical or extreme but MV's
MUST be viewed in context. If one goes to a museum, one already has an
appreciation for history. But our privately owned vehicles are rarely displayed
in that arena, making it all the more important for us to offer and show the
historical perspective of our vehicles. The public is paranoid right now;
frightened of absolutely EVERYTHING! Display your armored vehicle without a
historical context, they are as likely to come away from looking at a privately
owned half-track thinking, WOW, there's a lot of heavily armed and armored kooks
out there and we have to disarm and disarmor them for our own
safety!...regardless of how well you explain yourself. And I think we all know
how kooky we can look at times. This is where being dressed in MVPA clothing is
the tie-breaker. It gives us, as individuals, credibility.
example, I have a guideline for our parade expeditions. It involves
vehicle-mounted weapons. And it goes something like this. Display your vehicle
mounted weapon (covered or uncovered) in a stowed position (i.e. limbered)
facing directly forward or rearward but in no case shall it be pointed toward
the crowds along the route. Further, we do not handle these weapons in any way.
Do not touch or lean on the weapons.
TJ
From: "Darrell Ramsell" <daram@comcast.net>
> TJ
>
> These are some very nice ideas. I wonder if the MVPA would consider adding a
> section to their website on "How to display your vehicle, Do's and Don'ts".
> I think this would be very helpful.
>
> Darrell