AR MVPA military vehicle display at the "Fabulous Fourth" in Cherokee Park (Morrilton). Three vehicles were on display: Paul Harlesses GPW; Joe Allison's M151 and Floye Blakeney's M151. All left early with the threat of rain. Bob and Floyd Blakeney ran into the storm on their way home to Perryville. Joe arrived home in Centerville before the rain started. Paul & Ev trailered their vehicle.

The Mayflower Elementary School set up a special Patriotic Day on the Friday before Memorial Day to give students some hands on knowledge about our armed services. Many of the classes designed their own special tees to represent different branches of the service. A wide variety of activities were planned to let the students participate in related activities. The AR MVPA was invited to bring a couple of military vehicles. Each group that came to our station listened to a presentation about the jeeps, were photographed and allowed to get in the jeeps. Approximately 400 students gained a little historic information about the military vehicles and their restorations.

This album includes pictures taken on Saturday and Sunday morning. Rick, Vicki, Katie, Jamesand Andrea Libby (WWII Display - GPW); Molly Anderson (Deuce and Half) and Lewis Anderson (WC 55) Saturday was a full day of airshow with the Toro Toro, Toro reenactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor; the Golden Eagle Paratrooper jumps; a variety of small aircraft shows, the jet propelled truck (recorded in the Guiness Book of Records) as well as the airplane displays, vendor booths and National Guard displays. There were booths set up for entertainment of the kids, water stations and the hospitality booth (which fed us quite well) for the participants. Sunday included a repeat of the Saturday activities. Lisa Fox and Ev Harless had the opportunity to meet the reenactors of Tora, Tora, Tora and to climb into the little Japanese Zero planes. The hot air balloons flew back to Ft. Smith on Saturday morning.

The Ft. Smith Air Show was a three day event. This volume includes set up photos taken on Friday and some of the events of that day. The closing for Friday was a night show by the Golden Eagle Paratroopers, the illumination of the hot air balloons, the world record jet propelled truck and ended with fireworks. Friday Joe & Rita Allison (MB), Paul & Ev Harless (GPW), Marvin & Juliann Green(M38), Bill Barnes and Joe Sheaffer (Mighty Mite & M151A2 Fast Attack Vehicle), Steve Smith & Lisa Fox (Command Car) and Jim & Sara Starbird (M38) set up vehicles on display. David Hopkins stopped by to visit. It was a hot afternoon and the club decided to purchase a canopy for the remainder of the weekend.

The Saturday night BBQ was organized by Marsha Jones. The food was excellent and there was ample time to visit. Paul Harless congratulated Jerome Casey and Marsha Jones for all their efforts and planning that went into the 1st Annual Red Ball Convoy. Sunday morning departure was rather chaotic. Hal Miller went to load up his jeep and trailer but when he got to the parking lot his haul trailer was missing. The policeman checked out a number of possibilities but in the end determined someone had stole it. While trying to sort through this problem a call came in that the Clarion Inn was on fire. Soon all the fire engines and emergency crews arrived. The members standing around ran to the Inn to help clear the building of remaining people. A tar pot on the roof (workers were repairing the roof) had caught on fire drawing the fumes down into the Inn. The fire was contained in the tar pot. Time to head home.

At Devil's Den State Park we stopped for a group photo, lunch and a chance to socialize. The return to Fayetteville took us through some fairly steep roads with a number of switchbacks. There were no breakdowns. At the turnaround area of Devil's Den it took a bit of "doin" to turn Molly's Deuce with the Water Buffalo through the turn. The final stop was at Brentwood City Park on Hwy 71. From there we returned to the Clarion Inn in Fayetteville. (This Volume is under Construction)

From Lake Wedington we convoyed to a scenic overlook, and then on to a stop at Prarie Grove State Park, a Civil War Battle Grounds. Our next leg of the trip tooks us to Hogeye Mall for a pit stop and where a few of the vehicles filled up with gas. (Note how the price of fuel has gone up since May 03.

26 military vehicles, 6 trailers, 60 people, and 4 dogs participated in the Red Ball Convoy. It was a cold start (in the lower 40s) but warmed up as the day went on. The Convoy lined up at the Clarion Inn in Fayetteville and then convoyed west to Lake Wedington for the first leg of the route along the 100 mile drive. Refreshments were served at this brief stop. Participants had an opportunity to visit and get acquainted. All vehicles particapating were photographed.

Friday morning started out with stormy weather as we prepared to convoy from Morrilton to Fayetteville. Friday afternoon visits were made to the Veteran's Medical Center and the Veteran's Home. Registration began at 6:00 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel. A video of Gen. Eisenhower was shown after the Orientation.

Petit Jean Mountain is home to the annual AR MVPA Military Vehicles Rally. The beauty of the mountain draws visitors from all over the world. It is the first Arkansas state park. There are many trails to hike, views to admire and activities to attend. Mather Lodge and Winrock Center provides lodging and restaurants. The Museum of Autos is host the the Petit Jean Rally and the antique auto swap meet each fall.

The Russellville 2007 Veteran's Salute to Freedom Ceremony, honoring all veterans, followed a crowd lined parade route from Krogers to the Main Street Train Depot. AR MVPA members participating were, Joe & Rita Allison, Bob & Gloria Blakeney, Floyd Blakeney, Tom & Barb Gage, and Paul & Ev Harless. (3 WWII GPW's and 1 Viet Nam era M151 A1) At the ceremony special recognition went to all World War II Veterans. Each veteran was presented with a beautifully designed "Challenge Coin". After the presentation WWII veterans were greeted and honored by all other veterans present (Korean War, Vietnam War, Dessert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Cold War and Peace Time veterans. These veterans were also given a challenge coin.

The display of vehicles at the 2007 Petit Jean Military Vehicle Rally includes all award winning vehicles and displays.

This album features the vehicle events: the Red Bluff Trail Ride, The 105 MM Artillery Cannon - new to this year's rally, games with the vehicles and members/guests with their vehicles. If you can fill in missing information or correct information add it to the comments below the picture. Thanks, Ev

This album features the activities from set-up to close-down: the Friday night Entertainment; meals served from the field kitchen; vendors; awards, etc. All awards were presented by Paul Harless, President and B.J. Smith, Judging Chairman

Activities for junior members are varied and plentiful. They enjoyed the trail rides, balancing on the teeter-totter, riding in the little jeeps, playing with the marshmallow guns and entertaining each other. The Young Marine Cadets of Conway went on the trail ride and ate dinner with us.

The St Patrick's Day parade and events were sponsored by the ICSA (Irish Cultural Society of Arkansas) Kevin & Becky Charton hosted the AR MVPA for the St Patrick's Day Parade and Display. The AR MVPA had 24 participants and 7 military vehicles: Dan & Susan Sharon, Anna, Luke, Nathan and Daniel with their GPW; LCDR Jim Vandenberg with his Seabees MB; Freddie Huff; Paul & Ev Harless with their M38; Joe Allison with his GPW; Lewis & Molly Anderson; Jeff & Beverly Ellison with their Deuce and Half; David & Lenna Hopkins, Chris, Thomas and a friend, with their GPW and Kevin & Becky Charton. The parade formed at the parking lot in front of the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. The parade crossed the Main Street Bridge and down Main Street in North Little Rock. After the parade the military vehicles were on display at the Irish Festival in North Little Rock.

These were the vehicles on display at the 6th Annual AR MVPA Petit Jean Rally.

The Sixth Annual Petit Jean Rally, Volume 2, pictures events, activities and people. It begins on Tuesday, September 19 with set up of the Quonset Hut. Seven meals were served from the Field Kitchen. Displays included demonstration of the WWII crystol radio by Steve Carroll; a militaria display by Rick & Vickie Libby; a National Guard center with a a Howitzer; and a Model A WWII recruitment by Paul Harless. The teeter totter was well used. Saturday afternoon the rain caused cancelation of the 2nd trailride and early shutdown. This album includes activities and displays.

This album is of future MVPA members. The AR MVPA is a family oriented Club. We try to make sure the young people enjoy the Petit Jean Rally and that they are included in activities. These are some of the family activities and activities of the children.

Friday's "Trail Ride" was around the scenic Red Bluff Road. We stopped at an overlook where vehicles and their occupants were each photographed. On the way back to the rally two jeeps ran out of gas--B.J. Smiths and Paul Harlesses. B.J. got a tow in from Joe Allison. Ev & Linda drove Joe's other jeep back to get a can of gas. Saturday's "trail Ride" was rained out.

The Veteran's Appreciation Run was sponsored by the Arkansas Crawlers 4X4 Club at the ORV park in Hot Springs. Five members vehicles were on display: Joe Allison's MB; B.J. Smith's MB; Jeff Fuller's GPW; David Hopkin's GPW and Paul Harless's M38. Also on display was an M38 owned by Gary Louton, a big wheel CJ owned by Scot King and a CJ military pickup. Lunch was provided by the VFW, Post2278. This album is still under construction. More photos will be added as time permits. Thanks Ev

Since Civil War times the "Old Soldier's Celebration" has been held in Heber Spring, AR to honor soldiers of all wars and of all branches of the service. This is the third year the AR MVPA has participated in this patriotic parade, sponsored by the American Legion. This year Gen. Ronald Chastain was the parade marshall. AR MVPA had seven military vehicles and the National Guard had two as lead vehicles of the parade.

AR MVPA was invited to participate in the Marshall Sesquicentennial Parade. Bob Blakeney drove his 1943 GPW, with Gloria Doughty as passenger; Ev Harless drove their CUCV; Paul Harless drove his M38 and Lacy Smith drove their MB. B.J. Smith drove his Model T with Leslie Smith as passenger.

The Arkansas Military Vehicle Preservation Associan displayed six antique military vehicles from World War II vintage to the Viet Nam era.