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| Event: |
UT Normandy Scholar Program |
| Date: |
05-Nov-04 |
| Location: |
University of Texas, Austin Texas |
| Description: |
This year was only the second one in which club members
participated in the annual fundraiser for the Normandy Scholar Program of
the University of Texas. At times referred to informally as the D-Day or
Normandy Scholarship Fundraiser, this gathering is a great mix of
students, academicians, university supporters, veterans, and their
families. Held at the Thompson Conference Center on the University of
Texas campus, this fundraiser brings in money for an intensive
undergraduate educational experience that is a cooperative effort between
the College of Liberal Arts and "Studies in American Military
History," a component of the Center for American History. The goal is
to raise scholarship money so that a select group of university students
can closely study the D-Day Invasion and World War II while actually
having the opportunity to travel to Europe to walk the battlefields and
visit related monuments.
This year Tim W., John K., and Jeff M. were invited to represent the
club. Dressed in WWII Army wools, the three members set up a two-jeep
display at the top of the steps outside the doors leading to the
conference center auditorium. John's MB was a big attention getter with
its recon configuration including the dash mounted .30 caliber machinegun
and radio gear that included a jeep mounted backpack radio as well as the
familiar "handie-talkie" so often mistakenly called a
"walkie-talkie." Tim's battle worn slat grill MB was parked
opposite John's to flank attendees as they walked in. With a few pieces of
extra gear to make it interesting, the pair of jeeps were a big hit, and
the period uniforms were met with appreciative looks. As with last year's
event, there were lots of questions and lots of favorable comments. Lit up
by spotlights, the jeeps became the preferred backdrop for quite a few
pictures. The evening air was cool, but not cold. It couldn't have been
much better.
Of special interest this year was the donation to the university of a
signed original photograph of the famous second flag raising on Iwo Jima.
The autograph was that of the donator, Joe Rosenthal - the photographer
that took the picture that has become one of the most famous images in
U.S. history. Mr. Rosenthal is getting up in years and could not
personally attend, but had his daughter and granddaughter there on his
behalf. As a special experience for everyone, he was placed on
speakerphone and a conversational interview was conducted for a packed
auditorium. Two comments by Mr. Rosenthal really stuck out. He described
himself as a "fair photographer" and noted that the biggest
honor for him is when he was made an honorary Marine. With good food, good
wine, and good company, this event made a great impression. It was also
kind of fun for John and Tim to drive their jeeps up a flight of steps to
get to the staging area, even though Tim later confessed that he didn't
intend to leave rubber on the stairs and had a brief moment where he
thought he might end up parking the jeep inside rather than just outside
the plate glass window. |
No pictures submitted...
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