Newsletter Archives for the V.G.C.A.

V.G.C.A NEWS APRIL '99

Monthly Meeting

Don't miss this one. There is a TIME CHANGE THIS MONTH.

Doug Wicklund, curator of the NRA National Firearms Museum, will be presenting this month. The subject is the Civil War Sniper. The meeting will be April 22 (4th Thurs) and will start at 7 PM rather than the normal 8PM. So come early and have a light dinner. The location is the auditorium at NRA as usual. There may well be a Whitworth sniper rifle at the meeting. Please read the article in the American Rifleman April 99. On page 42 and 43, two of Doug's sniper rifles are pictured. Should be an interesting program. Both the museum and the NRA store will be open that evening. So come early and enjoy. Future programs include: May 27- Al Edge will present the making of high grade Hawken style Rifles; June 19 is the pig roast at NORVA; July 22 is open for now; August 26 will be Harry Hunter, the curator of the Smithsonian's Museum of American History; Sept 23 and Oct 28 are open; Nov-Dec will be on Dec 2 when Phil Schreier will be presenting "Capt. Sam Walker's Colts". Descendents of Capt. Sam Walker will be in attendance as well!! So there are some good ones coming up!! The programs seen to be getting better and better and cover many different aspects of gun collecting. If you would like to present on any of the remaining open days, call Elmo Phillips or me. Numbers are listed above.

The Last Show

It was a good show. Ed Costello will have the figures at the meeting. We need to change some things insofar as advertising goes. We spent quite a bit of money on this. We do need some help. If you are willing to help Ed Costello and me on this aspect, we would love to hear from you. We need people who will work and not just talk about it. Please let me know if you will help. The displays were great this time. Vince Rausch won with his display entitled "Gun Collecting". Pete Roberts came in second with his really fine display of "Smith and Wesson Model 1917 Revolvers". Bill Thacker's outstanding display of US Military Handguns 1900-1945 was third. Jim Lander's comprehensive collection of early powder flasks won the 1st Judges Choice Award. Phil Orem's extremely interesting display of "Black Powder Pistols" won the 2nd Judges Choice Award. All the displays were simply outstanding and represented a lot of work. We thank you for the effort.

Finally, a word of thanks to those who helped in the set up and take down of the show: Rick Jones, Thomas McMichael, Fred Fees Jr., John Bird, Gary Holderman, Ben Sims, Addison Wright, Bill Egan, Larry Hare, Vic Krebs, Jim Burgess, Jack Bokinsky, and Dobie Nicklas, Lee Turner, Del Whitacre, Tim Henderson and Art Shingler. Sorry if I missed anyone.

Mark Your Calendars - Sat., May 8

Alan Cors has invited VGCA and NORVA to the May 8 Open House at the Virginia Museum of Military Vehicles. Alan and the group have well over a hundred tanks and armored vehicles in working condition. There will be lots of them on display and will be demonstrated. If you have never seen this, don't miss it!!! See the attached flyer and map. Please call Alan at the number provided to let him know you can attend and how many will be in your party. These open houses are not open to the public. This collection is perhaps the best private collection of these vehicles in the world. And for them to have been restored and running is unbelievable. Dress for the weather, bring your family and a camera. The speakers for the event are listed on the flyer. They will have some interesting things to say!!! Food and sodas will be available on site.

The Passing of Tim Gray

Lee Turner reports that Tim was found dead at home. I have no details on the funeral plans. We will send flowers when we find out the details. For those who might not know who Tim was, he was the gentleman who always had the tables to the left of the main door at Hugo's who had the hand tooled leather holsters and gun belts. Tim was a true artist in leather work. Tim also collected engraved Colts that were often displayed in his fine custom holsters. Tim had been quite ill for several years. He will be missed.

See you at 6 PM for dinner on the 22nd. The program starts at 7 pm!!!!

D-Day: The Landings in Normandy - June 6, 1944

The VMMV invites you, your friends and family to join us in our continued effort to share our artifacts of military history. They will serve as backdrop for the words of two men who were there -- as we honor the 55th anniversary of this extraordinary event.

* FROM THE AIR: Sam M. Gibbons entered the U.S. Army in 1941. At 1:00 a.m. on June 6, 1944, Capt. Gibbons, 501st Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, arrived by parachute near Carentan on the Cotentin Peninsula. In the European campaign to the end of the war, he returned to his home in Florida where he served in the state legislature (1953-1962). Congressman Gibbons then began his very distinguished career in the U.S. House of Representatives (1963-1989).

* FROM THE SEA: Alvin D. Ungerleider was drafted in Nov., 1942. 2nd Lieutenant Ungerleider, L Co., 115th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, landed in the first wave to hit the Easy Green sector of Omaha Beach. Fighting through to the Elbe River, his company liberated a slave labor camp in Nordhausen. With a distinguished career in the Army, Brigadier General Ungerleider retired from active duty in 1978.

We will have more than 50 vehicles in an outdoor display, many of which will be demonstrated during the program. The vehicle presentations will be enhanced by the presence of some outstanding living history units in authentic uniforms and equipment. These individuals and members of the Washington Armor Club will be available during the static display periods to explain the history and use of the equipment.

When: Saturday, May 8, 1999, from 12 noon to 3 p.m.  At 1:00 p.m., we'll start the engines and introduce our speakers.

Where: Aden Field. 13906 Aden Road, Route 646 (5 miles east of Nokesville, VA) See directions on reverse side. Phone at Aden Field: (703) 594-3030

RSVP: By Wednesday, May 5. Leave ACCEPTANCES ONLY on the voice mail at (703) 827-0736 to let us know the number of people in your party. If you have any questions, please call Allan Cors at the same number.

Due to space limitations, this invitation is NOT to the general public, and may not be reprinted or reported in any publication without prior approval.

DIRECTIONS TO THE VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF MILITARY VEHICLES

From Interstate 95

From I-95 take exit 152 (old exit 51). Take Route 234 North towards Manassas. Go approximately 7.8 miles and turn left onto Route 646 Aden Road. Drive approximately 6.0 miles to the entrance on the left 13906 Aden Road. Red brick walls at entrance.   Proceed to marked parking area.

From Interstate 66

From I-66 West, take Exit 44 (Manassas/Regional Airport) on to Route 234 South. Go 5.5 miles to Route 28 South and drive approximately 4.5 miles to Nokesville --Just a traffic light and small shopping area. At the light, turn onto Route 652, Fitzwater Drive. Go 1 mile to stop sign. Turn right onto Route 646, Aden Road. Drive 4.2 miles to entrance on the right -- 13906 Aden Road. Red brick walls at entrance. Proceed to marked parking area.

PHONE AT THE MUSEUM RESTORATION FACILITY: (703) 594-3030

See you at the meeting!  Don't forget your show and tell items and your guests.

Addison Hurst,
Secy.