John K. Tim W. and
Fred F. attended this first-time event by special invitation.
This was a nighttime gathering at the University of Texas Thompson
Conference Center. The event was attended by veterans and college students,
families of veterans and students, academicians, and supporters of the
University of Texas D-Day Scholarship Fund.
The purpose of the scholarship fund was explained as being designed
to fund the World War II studies program which specifically focuses on
D-Day and includes a trip to Normandy and tours of surrounding
battlefields.
With the
assistance of Jeni L. who stopped by to check out the event and help watch
the gear, the club made a great first impression on a large group of
people who were unfamiliar with our organization.
Among them were veterans who were very pleased to see John’s
outstanding Recon jeep and Tim’s slat-grill battlewagon.
The jeeps were spotlighted as they flanked the entryway to the
conference center and remained visible the entire night through the plate
glass windows where the event took place.
The event was a
reception that circulated around a buffet table covered in food
traditionally linked to the Normandy area.
There were photographs and memorabilia on hand from veterans among
the crowd. Included in some
of the more unusual items was a Norden bombsight and some vintage pictures
of a ground target that had been plastered using one.
Although the primary focal point of the evening was on the
scholarship fund and the students who were receiving the scholarships, a
centerpiece of the program was a video presentation about 1st
Lieutenant William D. Grosvenor whose P-47 Thunderbolt went down over
Belgium forcing him to bail out from about 500 feet.
Mr. Grosvenor and his son David were on hand to answer questions.
John and Tim were attired in WWII wools and Fred arrived in Marine Corps
HBTs that he received to replace his issue uniform after being seriously
wounded on Peleliu (See the related story in this issue and three
preceding issues of The Transfer Case.)
Throughout the event, veterans gravitated toward the jeeps that
were on display with the usual gear that the club puts out for static
presentations. John and Tim
fielded questions and the jeeps were used as a backdrop for quite a few
photographs. The Lone Star
MVPA was acknowledged during the reception and was asked to take part
again next year.