History

[armydriver]

I am currently in Fredericksburg, Virginia visiting my son and grandchildren. Monday he and I went to the battle field and I had the opportunity to stand approximately where my great grandfather stood on that fateful day in December of 1862. It was a real errie feeling knowing that so many died here that day and they were all Americans.
My great grandfather was an officer in Cobbs Legion which was part of Longstreets Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. He survived the Civil War even though his unit was in many battles including Gettysburg.
What a great Christmas.

[Chris_M]

I visited many Civil War battlefields ten years ago with some friends (Manassass (Bull Run), Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, The Wilderness etc.) I was very impressed how well preserved these sites are. Here in Germany most of the historical sites are gone because the areas are needed for buildings and streets. I was not aware that so many germans fought in the civil war on both sides. In Gettysburg I saw some memorials written in german only. Especially from Pennsylvania.

Chris

[armydriver]

A lot of German settlers came into the US during the 1830's and 40's. Around San Antonio we have a log of German settled towns, such as New Braunfels, New Berlin, Gruen an Borne. I actually live just outside San Antonio in Schertz, another town settled by German immigrants in the 1840's.
Have a great New Years.

[Cat Man]

We are all connected by those bygone generations of soldiers.

While I was at the MVPA convention at Ft Lee Va a few years ago looking at CCKW's, I toured the site of the Union army's assault on "the crater" at Petersburg Va.

Stood on the spot were my great great grandmother's brother fought and was catured, as many were that day. He never returned. Died in a prison camp. We have his diary that was carried home by his fellows. He had entered the Army for another man, was paid a bounty to do so. He bought a small farm with the money and specified that it if he did not return, the farm was to go to his sister, my great great grandmother.

We still own the farm. Think about them the next time you here someone use the term "bought the farm". There is real meaning when it is your own people.

That's why I collect HMV's, to put history where people can connect with it so they can see how we came from there to here, honoring those who went before.

Yes there is a connection that goes way way back.

We remember them all.

Cat Man

[armydriver]

Cool story Cat Man. History is the key to our future. I had four great grandfathers that were in the Confederate Army. It is amazing the hardship those men went through back then and the huge amount of strength and personverance they demonstrated, whether Union or Confederate.
I have been a history and U.S. Government teacher for 22 years now. Getting students turned on to history is very hard to do but out of every class you will find one or two that are really dedicated to learning more about history and as long as there are those few, the story will continue to be told and the torch will be carried.

Keep History Alive. Drive a Historic Military Vehicle.

[dr deuce]

Speaking of history:

Have you ever noticed that WW2 HMV owners tend to be into history in a bog way whereas M-series people collect trucks? WW2 collectors tend as a groupl also to collect more accoutrements that go along with their HMVs.

For example: If you own a CCKW, you can "re-live" Normandy, or Bastone, Guadalcanal, etc. by traveling there and "feeling" the history, but if you own an M35....?

Just my observations from approaching three decades of this disease, er collecting

[armydriver]

I agree Doc, however in time the M series owners will become more connected. With the M38 I am restoring I am planning on a great Korean War history lesson. Probably the history teacher in me. I guess we look at WWII with more nostalgea because we fought to win and by the time we got to the Korean War we got into more political situations, like Vietnam , even though the soldiers were fighting to win, the politicians were directing the war and we end up srettling for a cease fire.