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Photos & Story by Rick Forys
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In August of 2025, the MVCCMI was invited to display vehicles at the
Ground Vehicle Engineering & Technology Symposium, (GVSETS). The 17th annual event was hosted by the MI Chapter of the National
Defense Industry Association on August 12-14, at the Suburban Collection Showcase in Novi, MI.
The show focused on military ground vehicle tech, showcasing innovations in autonomy, AI, power, and modernization for the war-fighter.
This is the premier U.S. symposium for military ground vehicle systems engineering, attended by the military, industry, and academia.
(A) Among the many industry participants was Rheinmetall who displayed their HX3 Common Tactical Truck. (B) Pratt Miller Defense
demonstrated their High Energy Logistics Platform (HELP) hydrogen power fuel cell. (C) Remotely operated portable bridge by GS
Engineering from Houghton, MI. (D) Cummins displayed their V903 14.8L V8 diesel engine, used in the U.S. Army's Bradley IFV. (E)
The U.S. Army DEVCOM booth featured a M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle, produced by GM Defense. (F) Carnegie Robotics showed their
ten-million hour autonomous vehicle. (G) U.S. Congressman Jack Bergman addressed attendees. (H) Clemson University's Deep Orange
Virtual Prototype Ground Systems, VIPR-GS. (I) Leonardo DRS Integrated Tactical C5I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers,
Cyber-Defense, and Intelligence) System, for enhanced battlefield situational awareness. (J) Rheinmetall also displayed their various
track products. (K) The Senator MRAP produced by Roshel of Canada, based on a Ford F-550 chassis.
The MVCCMI had eleven vehicles on hand for the event, which were very popular, and attracted a lot of attention. Event officials showed
their appreciation to the club, and it appears likely we will be invited back again next year, August 11-13, in Novi.
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Photos by Matt Butkis - Story by Rick Forys
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On August 2, 2025, members of the
Military Vehicle Collectors Club of Michigan, (MVCCMI) traveled to Goodrich, MI to participate
in the Good Times in Goodrich Car Show. Altogether, the club fielded eight vehicles for the event,
which enjoyed nice weather with sunny skies. There were two WWII Ford GPWs, brought by Doug Lentz
and Andy Peitsch. Three Dodge M37s also made the trip, displayed by Remi Seabolt, Chris Van Dan Elzen,
and CO Terry Shelswell, who also brought his Willys M38A1. To round things out, Dan Brewer showed
his M274 Mule, and Wells Werden drove his Willys CJ5 to the party.
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Photos & Story by Rick Forys
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On Saturday, the thirty-first of May, 2025, the Military
Vehicle Collectors Club of Michigan traveling road show assembled at the Pine Ridge Villas assisted living complex in
Shelby Twp. MI to produce a USO - Veteran themed event for the residents. The show featured a ceremony kicked off with
a 21-gun salute, followed by speakers from the military, Shelby Twp, the Women's Army Corps Veterans Association, plus
our club Chaplin who offered a prayer.
This very successful event was organized, produced, and directed by MVCCMI member, Jim Reuter who put together a ceremony
with keynote speaker, Chief Master Sergeant, Timothy M. Huhtasaari, 127th Maintenance Group at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, MI,
along with Shelby Twp. Supervisor Rick Stathakis, and Vida Joiner Frost,President, MI Wolverine Chapter 67 of the Women's Army Corps VA.
Jim also arranged for the Honor Guard from Vietnam Veterans of America 154 to join us for the event.
On top of all this, Jim also put on an incredible militaria display that filled half a room with everything from guns to toiletries. The
event seemed to be very popular with all the club members in attendance, and everyone appeared to enjoy the experience. Many residents
were veterans, or were married to veterans, so this was extremely well received and supported by them too. This was a fun event, and if
we were able to brighten their day, then that's even better.
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Photos & Story by Rick Forys
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The Military Vehicle Collectors Club of Michigan, (MVCCMI)
supported a number of community parades all around Metro-Detroit, on both the Memorial Day and July Forth holidays.
Clarkston, St. Clair Shores, Linden, Lake Orion, Milford, and Plymouth were among the parades in which MVCCMI vehicles
participated. This year, we feature the west-siders who attended the Plymouth Memorial Day and July Forth parades.
Taking part was Ed & Sue P. with their 1941 Cadillac Staff Car, Jim & Beth Turza driving their 1941 Dodge WC27 Ambulance,
Loren Roberts who brought his 1953 Willys M38A1, Paul Denski, and his son who also had an M38A1, and Tom Roberts and
friends who drove both of Tom's 1990 M923A2 five-tons to the July Forth parade. We were also joined in that parade by the
U.S. Army, who brought a M270 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) to the party. For reference, vehicles driving to the
right are from Memorial Day, while vehicles driving to the left are from July Forth.
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| MVCCMI Tours Model T Plant |
Photos & Story by Rick Forys
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On April 19th, 2025, the Military Vehicle Collectors Club
of Michigan organized a group tour of the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant. This historic Detroit factory has the distinction of being
the first to be built and owned by the Ford Motor Company. Constructed of brick and timber, it opened for business in late 1904.
Likely more importantly, it happened to be the birthplace of the Model T, and early automobile models B, C, F, K, N, R, and S
were also built there.
The tour covered not only the incredible building, but also a collection of over fifty classic vehicles of the period. The
building itself was amazing, showing original colors, hues, textures and patina, while the collection of vehicles
was not only remarkable, but also looked perfect sitting in the old factory setting.
There were sooo many things to see and learn at this fantastically interesting place, that it would be impossible to
cover in this space. We ended up with 17 members & family participating, and all agreed it was very worth-while trip.
Overall, I would have to say this was a remarkable experience, and is highly recommended.
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Photos & Story by Rick Forys
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The MVCCMI was invited to take part in a Cummins Employee Family
Day & Car Show at their former Meritor location in Troy, MI on August 15, 2024. They were especially interested to see any of
our MVs with Rockwell axles and suspension springs (M-series deuces, 5-tons & HMMWVs) and / or Cummins engines (M-series 5-tons).
Besides the family open-house aspect of the event, there was also an employee car show, which was impressively large.
Cummins also arranged for ND Defense, formally Navistar Defense, to bring a few vehicles to the event. The three included an
MXT-MV all-terrain armored MV, M1235A2 MaxxPro Dash MRAP, and an ATLAS LT Cargo vehicle.
We managed to gather five vehicles for the Thursday event, which started out brisk, but warmed up as the day unfolded. This
included a 1990 M998 HMMWV brought by Jim Tweedie, a 1980 M816 Wrecker driven by CO Terry Shelswell, two 1990 M923A2s
displayed by Tom Roberts, and Bill Nutting with his M934.
It turned out to be a very pleasant and interesting day, and our host Cummins, was extremely accommodating. The car show was also
larger than expected, with a wide variety of make, model, year, and category. The MVCCMI was happy to attend, and enjoyed the
opportunity to show our vehicles, and we thank Cummins for the invite!
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All photos by Maya Mead
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The Military Vehicle Collector's Club of Michigan, and Muellers
Orchard joined together over the weekend of September 13-15, 2024, to host the third annual Military Vehicle Display
& Swap at the orchard in Linden, Michigan. Altogether, there were twenty two vehicles, and seven trailers, along with
six vendors on-hand for the event. The weather was perfect with no rain, and public attendance was good with hundreds
of spectators.
Thanks to Dan Brewer, Joel Gardener, Tom Roberts, Jim Tweedie, Bill Nutting, Ernie Roesner, Steve Cooper, Bill Thatcher,
Tim Hester, David Lawhead, and Doug Lentz for bringing their vehicles.
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| Second Arsenal of Freedom Festival |
Photos & Story by Rick Forys
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For the second year, the Military Vehicle Collectors Club of Michigan,
joined forces with the Steam Railroading Institute, at their location in Owosso, MI to produce the Arsenal of Freedom Festival. The
show mixes military vehicles with the iconic Pere Marquette locomotive 1225, now back in service after a lengthy rebuild. Attendees
were welcomed by sunny skies and very pleasant conditions for the event, which saw a nice influx of new vehicles.
The nicer weather also enabled the club to hold a lot more road tours around the Owosso area. These were extremely popular with the
vehicle owners, and the few lucky show attendees who were able to snag a ride. It turned out to be a very pleasant weekend, which
gave the owners a lot more opportunities to run their trucks, which made everyone happy!
A drone video on YouTube taken by member Jim Tweedie is available HERE.
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Official News - October 1, 2013 - For Immediate Release:
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Arsenal of Democracy Motor Pool
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The Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum (the Museum) and the independent Arsenal of Democracy Motor Pool
(Motor Pool) were formed several years ago with similar mission statements. That is, to educate the public
through exhibits, displays and activities using vintage military vehicles and other equipment to demonstrate the
significant role of the automobile industry in defending our freedoms. In the beginning, the Motor Pool was
known as Alpha Company or Able Company, a branch of the Great Lakes Military Vehicle Preservation Association
(GLMVPA). John Lind, curator of the Museum, was one of the founding members of the Motor Pool and an
officer on the Board of Directors for four years.
A few years after getting started, the Motor Pool was growing and submitted an application to the international
MVPA to become an independent affiliate in its own right and became known as the Arsenal of Democracy Motor Pool.
The Motor Pool was and always has been a separate entity from the Museum.
Recently, Mr. Lind acquired through lease a building for his use as a museum. He is currently focusing his
efforts in developing this museum and is no longer a member of the Motor Pool Board. The Motor Pool Board
wishes Mr. Lind well in his pursuits.
Concurrently, the Board of Directors of the Motor Pool has determined that a greater measure of differentiation
is in order for the organization. This was determined to be necessary due to the similarity of the names
and the resulting confusion over what entity was what and who was governing whom.
Therefore, the Board of Directors of the Motor Pool decided to file legal documents with the State of Michigan
and the international MVPA to do business as the Military Vehicle Collectors Club of Michigan. (MVCC-MI)
This name harkens back to the founding of the MVPA in the 1970s when it was known as the MVCC. The
name change, effective immediately, will not affect in any way the organization's corporate or tax status nor will
the mission statement radically change. Rather, it will be considered a new beginning for the organization
and its members who will continue to proudly display and operate their vehicles and interact with the public in a
fun, safe and educational environment on the history, manufacture and use of vintage military vehicles.
Implementing its five year Strategic Objectives Plan, it will do this through public events, outreach programs
with various community and veterans groups, other museums and non-profit organizations as well as schools and
municipalities.
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