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V.G.C.A NEWS SEPTEMBER '99
Membership Meeting
The show will be the meeting for this month. Hopefully, by now it
is known that the set up is on Friday, the 17th. Please
come and help. Jim Burgess will be in charge as usual. Be there by
noon or so and help set up the tables. New members and old lazy
members, here is a chance for you to do some meaningful work to earn
your keep and somewhat justify your existence. If you can not come on
Friday, please sign up at the front door to pull an hour or so at the
front desk checking incoming guns and making sure that all guns are
tied with the plastic ties that Ed Costello has. All members should
take some ties with you and make sure during the show that all guns
are tied for safety. Bring a small set of clippers to enable guns to
be untied while being examined. Just make sure they get retied. Not
getting anyone shot or killed is a major consideration. Having the
dealers and the "armed wanderers" tie their guns is
important. Always remember, you could be on the receiving end of a
round fired out of ignorance. We do not want that. So lend a hand and
protect yourself and your fellow members. Any VGCA show you can walk
away from is a good show no matter how many souls pass through the
gate.
If you can help with night security, see Ed Costello. If you can
help with clean up on Sunday at 4 PM, just stick around and grab a
broom and help take the tables down. They only have to be stacked and
not moved out of the hall.
Gary Holderman will have the camera there to make photo ID badges.
New members-you can pay your dues to Ed Costello if you have not
already done so. Annual and Life Memberships are available. Gary is in
charge of the Show Committee. He always needs help so offer to be a
monitor and to report questionable things. See Gary for details as to
what is questionable.
August Meeting and a special
invitation
Harry Hunter's presentation about the Smithsonian's collections was
really great. Probably over 90 or so attended. He and his most able
heir apparent, Sarah Rittgers, have invited VGCA over to have a look
at the Smithsonian's back room where there are tons of firearms not
yet on display. This is an invitation for a white gloves tour. Gloves
will be issued so you can pick up many of these treasures. If you
missed the meeting, you missed seeing some incredible arms. The back
rooms are small and it will only be possible for groups of 10 to go in
any one time. Depending on the number of groups of ten, the tour will
last about an hour for each group.
Therefore, we are asking that you sign up for a specific time. The
date is Friday, October 1 at the National Museum of American History,
Constitution Ave. N.W. between 12th and 14th
Streets. Probably the best way to get there is on the Smithsonian exit
on the Metro Blue Line. The tours will start at 9:30 AM. Several folks
have already indicated a desire to go. Please come to the show and see
either Mo or me to sign up for a specific time. We will have tours all
day if there is sufficient interest. If you are not going to the show,
please call or write me ( my ISP just went out of business and my
e-mail may be screwed up for a few days or more.) and let me know when
you want to attend. Group 1 will be at 9:30, Group 2 will be at 10:30
etc. Ten persons per group. We will have a sign up roster at the show.
As Mr. Hunter is about to retire, a chance like this may not come our
way again. So, regardless if you have indicated to me that you
want to go or not, please let me know WHEN you will show up. As
we have to submit a list in advance of those persons who will be
attending, the cut off time for signing up will be the show. Name tags
will be issued to all those persons who attend. Please come to the
information desk on the first floor of the Constitution Avenue
entrance at your appointed time. You can pick up your name tag and
receive your free gloves. The phone number there for Ms. Rittgers is
202-357-4941. The general information number is 202-357-1300. This is
a great way to use a day of sick leave and start out the weekend in a
very positive way!! Maybe we can have lunch and see some other parts
of the Smithsonian. This will go regardless of the weather so come
prepared for anything and have a good time.
New Members
Please meet out newest member, Don Wong. Col Wong is a delightful
gentleman who attended our VGCA picnic. His interest is in small arms.
He is a Viet Nam vet and a true kindred spirit of mine since we were
in the same area while there. Make him feel at home.
For Sale
Contact Roger Sherman (703-620-3652) if you would like info about a
MIAI Carbine that is correct and about 98%.
Contact Jeff Perkins at 301-251-9426 about a correct M1903A4. It is
a Rem 3.4 million range with a scant stock and Weaver 330 scope. Price
is $1450.00 Jeff says it is right and if he says so, take my word for
it--it is.
Hope to see you at the show and at the Smithsonian.
Addison Hurst
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