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The Next Meeting
![[]](Photos/News/LAM-patch-s.jpg)
![[]](Img/OMP-Logo2.jpg)
Liberty Air Museum,
(see map at the bottom of their website),
Saturday March 14th at Noon.
meeting to follow lunch
The Tin Goose Diner is currently closed,
however pizza will be provided,
sponsored by our NY members!
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Story & Photos by Rick Forys
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Once again, the 2025 Findlay Military Show produced all the vehicles, vendors, and excitement that has made it
one of the nation's premiere MV events. This year's "Deuceapalooza" themed show featured two and a half ton
trucks of all varieties. This was the forth year for a theme vehicle, and also the second year of indoor vehicle
displays, and MV judging, which both saw more vehicles.
The Theme awards for this year were (in order from first), Benjamin Zoldek, 1971 AM General M35A2, Ken Hoelscher,
Studebaker US6, and Bob Pierce, Kaiser M35A2. Thirteen vehicles were entered for judging, resulting in eleven Gold
awards, and two Silver awards. There were six "Motor Pool" entries, five in the "Frame Off" category, and two
"Modified" entries.
As for excitement, The Hollywood Magic pyrotechnic display made its Findlay Show debut, thrilling the grandstands at
least once a day (or night), featuring the epic "wall of fire", and of course there was the iconic sound of Huey 369,
thundering across the fairgrounds, offering rides. In its thirty-eighth year, the Findlay Show, continues to be a
destination for all military vehicle minded to congregate, shop, and look at trucks. And we'll do it all again
next year, May 14-17, 2026.
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Photos by Rick Forys, Words from Ann Winegardner
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We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tom Price on 21 June 2025. He was 83 years old and was still going strong. He was quite the guy.
He, along with a large group, gathered together in December 1991 to form the Ohio Motorpool (OMP). He has been an officer of the club,
but more importantly a friend of everyone in OMP, or for anyone in fact.
So, when I say he'll be missed, I mean it in a big way. He attended so many events to bring to the public's attention the various vehicles
that made the military what it is. He traveled all over, and was even in the move "Flags of our Fathers" in 2006. Tom was the lead mechanic,
and his LVT-4 came back with a new paint job with the name "Toms Joy" in honor of his now late wife.
To know that Tom won't be at events, or even available to talk with is hard to think about. Tom had his own family, but he also had a large
extended family. We are all sad, but Tom probably is OK with it as he is back with the love of his life, Joy. He missed her terribly, but
I think his friends and keeping busy kept him going. Now it is time to rest easy and enjoy time with those who have passed before him. So,
goodbye friend. We'll never forget you.
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Photos & Captions by Rick Forys
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(A) It was a bright, chilly day at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio for this year's Ohio Motorpool March meeting.
(B) This year, many of the aircraft were undergoing required maintenance, including the 1941 Boeing produced PT-17 Stearman
Kaydet. (C) PT-728, a WWII Vosper PT boat showed a lot of progress. (D) Studebaker fire truck.
(E) WWII M16 Halftrack African Queen now resides at the museum. (F) WWII German Einheitz-Diesel truck. (G)
1919 White Pumper fire truck. (H) 1888 Ahrens Steam Engine, built in Cincinnati, OH. (I) Engines are in
place and control wires are being run on the Tri-motor Heritage Foundation 1929 Ford Tri-Motor. (J) Museum crown jewel,
B-25J Mitchell "Georgie's Girl" awaited the reinstallation of its propellers, which had returned from inspection. (K) The
museum continues the inspection of their recently acquired 1945 Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina. (L) The Museum's 1928 Ford
Tri-motor 5-AT-B is preparing for a busy summer of providing rides to the public. (M) A Hogan's Heroes tribute Jeep was
new this year. (N) Another well-attended March Meeting at the Liberty! (O) The Lima Historical Society
M4A3E8 Sherman tank holds down the fort! This year's Ohio Motorpool March meeting was but another great day at the Liberty Aviation Museum.
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Story & Photos by Rick Forys
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On August 10, 2024, OMP faithful gathered at the home of John & Pam Cheney for the August meeting. It was another
good day in Cheney-land as most of the collection was lined up on display. Mike Thomas, Bob Pierce and James Hazlett also brought
vehicles, but otherwise everything else seen, is part of the collection. Things officially started out with one of
those incredible Pot-Luck lunches, followed by some casual time where members caught up and checked out all the
vehicles. The meeting kicked off at about 2:30PM, and moved along pretty quickly, covering normal club business.
Before too long, the meeting wrapped up, with everyone basically resuming what they were doing before.
Certainly one of the highlights of the day was a visit from members of the Veteran Car Club of America. Altogether,
eight classic vehicles and their owners made the trip to attend the meeting and see the collection. The VMCCA is
one of the largest classic car clubs in the US, however the word "veteran" refers to the age of the vehicles, not
their service. Regardless, their appearance just topped off another visit to Cheney-land!
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Story & Photos by Rick Forys
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Once again, OMP members made their way to beautiful, Republic, OH for the annual July corn roast at
the home of Don & Ann Winegardner. Hot & dry, sunny skies awaited all who made the journey, to be
rewarded by a gigantic pot luck lunch, which left many ready for a nice summertime nap! Luckily,
the meeting (the reason for all this) following was brief, so we could then continue the
important tasks of snacking, resting, catching up, and checking out Don's stuff! Once again,
another great day! Thanks Ann & Don!!
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Story & Photos by Rick Forys
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For several years now the Ohio Motorpool has been able to include Camp Perry in its monthly rotation of meeting locations, this year
fitting it into the October slot. As it was still early in the fall, the weather was chilly but pleasant with bright hazy sunshine,
which enticed basically 40 members to leave their cave for a meeting. After the typical OMP pot-luck lunch, the meeting got rolling
around 1:30 covering a pretty normal list of topics including the upcoming Findlay Show & National Convention. Following the formal
meeting portion, a Camp Perry Civilian Marksmanship Program volunteer gave a talk about growing up in the area around Camp Perry.
Afterwards, the group moved out to the tank park to take advantage of the sunshine and also stage a group photo, but unbeknownst to
anyone, one member had another thing in mind and everyone watched as he got down on one knee to purpose to his long-time girlfriend
in front of the Sherman tank, the same spot where they met years ago. She said yes!
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Story & Photos by Rick Forys
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For many Ohio Motorpool members, one of the most anticipated annual club events is the fall trail ride, which continues to be hosted by John
Ellis at the family quarry business, just outside of Danville, OH. This year, members gathered on September 7th for the Noon potluck lunch and
slightly condensed meeting under breezy and mostly sunny skies.
Altogether, ten vehicles were on hand for the ride over hilly and sometimes winding paved and dirt roads, which occasionally followed the
Mohican River with its kayaks and tent campers. Four members brought their vehicles to the quarry start point for the ride, fielding a
1944 Willys MB, and three MUTTs - two M151A2s, and an M151A1 that were either driven or trailered to the event. The remaining six vehicles
were all graciously presented by the host, with four of these offered up for driving to other attending club members. This included two
wartime Dodges, a WC23 and WC63, an M38, M35A2, and two M998 HMMVEEs.
All in all there were no real problems, although one of the Dodges suffered a slight mechanical issue, which I'm sure has already been
fixed. It was a good ride, but all too soon we made our way back to the quarry, towing the suffering Dodge. John Ellis & family were
wonderful hosts, and the quarry makes a great back drop and starting point for this fun annual event. However, being the Fall trail ride,
it also signals the beginning of the end of another busy military vehicle show season in Ohio.
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Story & Photos by Rick Forys
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The Ohio Motorpool was very happy to host the 2017 MVPA National Convention also known as the World of Tanks Cleveland
Tank Plant Homecoming Military Show & Swap Meet. By most all accounts the show was very successful.
It appears that all the planning and hard work by our Ohio Motorpool volunteers paid off, producing possibly one of
the best shows ever. At over 300 military vehicles or displays, it topped the number set at Tobyhanna in 1998 (288),
and public turnout was also very good. It was reported that paid admission was just under 14,000, and the vendor
area was strong too, (406 tables) with most all of the big names on-site ready for business.
Anyway you look at it, this was a great show. Plenty of trucks, lots of people, numerous vendors, and more than enough
space - all you could ask for. The trip back and forth to the host hotel was short and basically all freeway, and
nightly gatherings at the hotel bar were crowded and very lively. As always it was good to see old friends and make
new ones. This convention was big fun and I think my favorite so far. My second favorite was the Louisville
show and guess what? We go back there next year!
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Click the flag for vehicle code info.
This link has proved to be a popular resource for club members.
A lot of information can be found here with a bit of digging. |
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