Posted by Roger Aspinwall on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 at 10:25AM :
The Georgia Rally was a success with it seems some failures and I am sorry for any animosities that may be felt by those who attended. I would like to remind those that when the rally was moved to the Cedar Rock Farm it was open to Dodge Power Wagons and all military vehicles to include those that came from military vehicle clubs and orginaztions. The plaque states peoples choice military, not peoples choice military power wagon. I know of no dodge military purpose built military dodge that carries the power wagon logo. As for the other vehicle that tied in the event it also is modified with disc brakes and as I understand sits on a frame not of its original orgin and design. I would also like to state that the group also brought 2 M37 trucks. I would have much more preferred and hoped to have given the award to a Dodge to which my loyalty runs blood deep. The host of the events location asked in the beginnig that the event be open to all military vehicles and the fliers stated Dodge Power Wagon and Military Vehicle Rally. In closing I would also like to state the award is a Peoples Choice Award and the people voted not I therefore I feel it is not my place to tell the people how they should vote the base of the american life and way. The people were instructed to vote their choice Military Vehicle and Civilian Power Wagon there was a tie which means the people spoke they liked both vehicles equally and was decided with a two toss coin toss. At past events there has been military jeeps present though none ever took an award I wonder what would have happened if one had won. I would also like to state for the record that there seems to be an implication of calusion with the MVS group which I had never met before the rally they were only a phone call to me in which I urged them to bring Dodge vehicles but also stated the event was open to military vechicles and in them have made new friends. I know of no hard advertising that was done by this group they just participated. I know it is impossible to please everyone at any vehicle oriented event but would like to think that those who participated were there for the same reasons as I. I was not there to win an award plaque or trophy I was there to see my friends that are dear to me and to enjoy my trucks and theirs and I am deeply saddened that in an attempt to please all the people by letting them make their choice I have offended or hurt my friends. I know most of the owners of these trucks were not there for an award and feel their trucks arent award material but love them just the same. Thanks to all those who attended and I hope to see you all again at some event somewhere and all my friends will welcome me into the fold to see and enjoy them and the trucks for which I came. My words are spoken not in my defense but of statement of record, and I further wish and hope this subject will be dropped and taken as lesson for us all and not turn into a heated discussion with finger pointing and attacks of people and friends.
Thanks
Roger Aspinwall
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