2009 MVPA transcontinental convoy

[Ron Fitzpatrick]

To all,

Unfortunately, I have some bad news to inform everyone with.

Terry Shelswell called my home this morning and had my wife Pam relay some information to me and then onto President Welch and the rest of the board and HQ. This is the best information that we have right now and I believe it is fairly accurate, but I could have minor details incorrect.

The convoy had a full day of rest yesterday at Rollins Wyoming. Around 6:30pm, Ian Wallace was involved in an accident with his motorcycle and another car. After leaving a restaurant, Ian was travelling through an intersection and a car struck him from the left. Ian was knocked to the ground and suffered a compound fracture of left tibia and fibula. He was transported to the local hospital in Rollins and then onto the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. His wife Linda has been informed of the accident; is in contact with him and is currently working on the transportation details.

I spoke with Ian this afternoon and he is doing fine. I understand that the hospital preformed some surgery last night to stabilize the leg. Other than the leg, he only received minor scratches. Ian told me that his leg has been put into a stainless steel frame to immobilize it. The doctor told him that although the break was bad, all of the damage is repairable. After a few more days of observation and stabilization, Ian can then have surgery to repair the leg. This surgery can be done there or at home. Ian has decided to return home and have the procedure done in Columbus, Ohio. He is not sure when he will be ready to travel, but maybe in a few days. They will transport him by airplane.

We are not sure who was at fault yet. I understand from Ian that the sun was in his eyes as he went through the intersection, so he was travelling slowly, around 15MPH. He caught a glimpse of the car out of the corner of his eye, but it was too late. He thought that the car was travelling a fairly slow speed as well. A second sooner or later, Ian felt that he would have just tipped the bike and got up and left. But the cars bumper was right on the mark. I guess one of the 5 ton trucks was very close by and in Ian’s words ‘people from the convoy came out of the woodwork and were there helping’.

Besides the leg injury, Ian is disappointed that he can’t finish the convoy. He even joked that at least he did this on a rest day, so it didn’t affect the schedule. Ian said ‘Hi’ to everyone and that he will recover.

The convoy members have secured his bike on a trailer and will be taking care of its return. I understand that Ian had already worked out return transportation for the bike with Pat Underwood, so that detail is taken care of.

If anyone would like to have Ian’s direct phone to his room, please contact me and I will pass on the information. When Ian gets back to Ohio, I will forward on his new hospital info.

Can someone please post this information on the MVPA blog and possibly on the G? This is so rumors don’t started with inaccurate information.

I have been in touch with President Welch today and he is planning on calling Ian as well.

Thanks, will report more info when it comes available.

John

John A. Cheney, II

[Roger]

I was able to meet up with the group at the Wyoming/Utah border this afternoon and cruise with them for 20 miles or so. There is a photo of the damaged motorcycle, I didn't know of the accident or I would have had the daughter take more shots of it. The group looked a little tired from the heat. It finally hit here and in the 90's. Hope they faired well on the treck into Salt Lake City. Mostly down hill which is good!

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd18 ... =slideshow

This link has larger pictures.
http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd18 ... oy%202009/?

[atavuss]

Hi all,
I am trying to help a Stockton Police Dept. motor officer Sargeant find out more details on the MVPA convoy that will be headed through Stockton soon. anyone have the contact phone number or email of someone in the MVPA that can help us out?
Thanks!

[brian in denver]

so did you guys have fun at rodgers tank farm and halftrack emporium?
its a perty nice collection.
I love them railroad missle barns.
BB

[artificer]

Where is the main camp ground in Fallon NV and what's on tomorrow and Sunday?

[brian in denver]

well evedently there lost somewhere out in the desert, maybe we should send out a search party
BB

[artificer]

[Ray Barth]

5 July , Fallon Nevada.
Participated in the annual Fallon Parade on the 4th and won best trophy !
Staying at the Fallon Naval Air Station base. A well needed 2 day R&R. Getting ready for the run to Stockton CA. tomorrow.
Making a detour through Kings Canyon at 0500 in the morning. Four wheel drive recommended.
I believe my jeep is in need of another restoration at the end of this trip. The 17 hour drive through Dugway Proving Grounds and subsequent desert travel really beat the old girl up but she is still running great.
Some of these roads have not changed much since 1919. Great trip.
Ray Barth
GPW 90176

[Ray Barth]

We made it!
San Francisco. Police escort from Alameda NAS to San Francisco. They literally shut down the city for us to pass through. Great location for the final mile marker on a hill over looking the city. Lots of Pics taken so look for them to show up soon.
Ray

[GI jeeps]

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL! What a trip! Glad I got to play along for a little bit of it, but I stand humbled before those who went all the way! Be safe getting home.

[Ronnie Guin]

I second that GI Jeep. We had four folks from our group who made the whole trip. They made us all proud. Pray for them a safe trip driving home to Alabama. Does anyone know if they received any National TV coverage? It should have in my opinion.

[Taigh Ramey]

My friend Ken and I were honored to join the convoy in Stockton for the last leg. We were driving a 1944 Chevy M6 Bomb Service truck.

We were warmly welcomed by everyone in the convoy from those who just joined to the seasoned veterans who Kept 'em Rolling all the way from Washington DC.

Here are some photos from yesterday:

this is the group stopped on the Altamont Pass heading toward Livermore, CA







Heading toward Oakland and Alameda





Here is the group at the old Alameda Naval Air Station where there is a museum and not far away is the USS Hornet aircraft carrier which is a floating museum.

This shot was taken right after we arrived. More vehicles joined up for the final leg into the city.











From NAS Alameda all through downtown San Francisco to the terminus of the Lincoln Highway we never made a single stop! For anyone who has ever driven through SF, or any major metropolitan area, this is a major accomplishment. The police escort was amazing to say the least.

The planning that went into this event is mind boggling and my hat is off to the MVPA folks for an outstanding accomplishment!

We were well received by cheering and waving people all throughout the city of and we only saw four people who expressed their displeasure with our presence by gesturing with a finger or by giving us a thumbs down. Not bad considering San Francisco’s reputation but those four were completely overshadowed by the masses who waved and cheered happily.



The convoy poured into the parking lot where the marker is for the end of the Lincoln Highway. The place was packed. The MVCC folks, led by Curt Lesser and crew, met us there with lunch available for $5.





I counted 43 police motorcycle units but someone told me there were 50. That's almost one unit per military vehicle. Wow. These guys seemed pretty darn proud to be helping us and they did a great job. Thank you San Francisco Police Department.





Here is the original crew that started in DC and drove all the way to San Francisco. I want to thank you for a job well done. I also would like to thank you for allowing us to be a part of such a wonderful event. Thanks for letting a couple of bozo's join up for the last 100 miles when you all have been busting butt all the way across the country. We, the whole Military vehicle community, Veterans and our country are proud of you for making this happen.

Well done!

[DavidA]

This is a photo that includes all other participants. People who joined along the way included.



Seated here are some of the MVCC folks that participated in the convoy. Photo was taken at the Alameda NAS Museum recognition dinner at the end of the convoy.

[Francis Marion]

I handed my camera to my passengers for the day and a half I spent with the convoy and they took just over 500 pics. I filtered it down to about 150 of the best and uploaded them. Enjoy!

http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/fr ... A09/1July/
http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/fr ... A09/2July/

The photos are reduced some when uploaded so, if you want the full resolution images, just PM me with the photo number and I'll e-mail them to you.