Due to popular demand (with apologies to the list master), I shall post the
letter I mentioned so that all may partake of it, shoot at it, correct it,
fold, spindle, and mutilate it. From here on out, it's YOURS! (I already
sent mine to everyone who would listen...)
Semper Fi,
Bill
<<--->>
Hello,
I'm writing in regards to the ban on Importing U.S. origin Military
Equipment from foreign governments.
The Department of the Treasury, under the guidance of the U.S. State
Department, has levied a ban on all U.S.-origin Military
Equipment and Vehicles supplied to foreign governments under any of a
number of foreign aid programs from being imported
back into the United States. For the common citizen, it is understood that
this is to prevent a private citizen from possessing
equipment that could be used to thwart the agencies of the United States
from performing their duties. (If a drug smuggler
based out of Florida had access to Stinger or Sidewinder missiles, it would
put every DEA aircraft in mortal danger of being
blown from the sky while they tried to perform their duties.) I understand
the need to protect against this eventuality, and I
support it 100%. However, this is also being applied to that equipment and
those vehicles that are destined to be restored as
historical icons of the past. The United States has, in its military
history, produced a number of amazing vehicles. There are
those who would obtain these vehicles for the purpose of educating the
general public in the circumstances of their use (such as
the use of the standard World War Two military 2 1/2 ton truck in the "Red
Ball Express" in the European Theater. Or the
jeep, which was seen just about everywhere.) To prevent these vehicles
from being imported back into the United States
deprives the restorer a valuable source of replacement parts, not to
mention the ability to obtain the core vehicle in the first
place. I urge you to consider amending the legislation of said ban to
allow those vehicles of military significance to be allowed
into the U.S. for the purpose of historical recreation and educational
purposes. I suggest that a system of qualification be
established after consulting with the many private organizations dedicated
to the restoring of historic vehicles, to ensure that
these vehicles are used for educational and re-enactment purposes. In
addition, I urge that the restrictions of surplus military
vehicles presently deemed as "unsafe" (such as the jeep and the Hummer), be
lifted, so that these vehicles may be sold in
roadworthy condition, as opposed to scrap. I suggest that any potential
civilian operator be required to obtain a license
specifically demonstrating that he or she understands the particular risks
and hazards associated with each class of vehicle.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
===
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