The Ohio Motorpool (OMP), an Affiliate Chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, was organized September 1991, in Findlay, Ohio at the Hancock County Fairgrounds, under the direction of John Dalstrom. 17 people attended to show their interest in forming a new group dedicated to preserving military history. Currently the club has grown to 119 members, most of who reside in Ohio, however the OMP has many members across the United States. The OMP encourages all club members to join the MVPA and is very proud of the 3 membership stars that have been awarded.
Members of the OMP are a varied group. Some restore military vehicles, aircraft, or artillery while others collect and restore uniforms, patches or weapons. We encourage everyone with an interest in military history to join. The OMP does not require members to own a military vehicle, just to have an interest in helping preserve our nation’s military history.
The OMP is quite active with many members attending shows all over the United States. The show that most members attend is the Armed Forces Day Celebration in Findlay, Ohio, hosted by the Findlay-Hancock County Military Association. This is currently the largest show in Ohio and is growing every year. We also have member sponsored shows in several areas of Ohio. So people from all parts of Ohio can be sure to find something close. In July, Henry Venetta sponsors an event at his WWII Military Vehicle Museum and Learning Center in Hubbard, Ohio. In August, many travel south of Columbus to Russ and Gladys Jones’s Historic History Show at Fort Economy in Hallsville, Ohio. September will find us in Alliance Ohio at the Marlboro Volunteers show. Of course we have quite a few members that attend and show their vehicles at the International MVPA conventions.
Ohio Motorpool is also quite active in parades, and other areas of bringing attention to Military History. One member took his LVT Marine landing craft to New Orleans for the D-Day landing and was on the History Channel. Another member provided his jeep and drove Jamie Farr as part of a local college’s homecoming parade. A member and his wife from southern Ohio spent time on LST 325 helping with the restoration along with providing vehicles that were used aboard the ship. We have a couple whose jeep is in a large mural in the Stickney Ave. Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. But, the most important are the many parades our members participate in to highlight the veterans.
Ohio Motorpool has been honored by being awarded the opportunity to host the 2006 International MVPA convention in Dayton, Ohio. The convention is now behind us, and according to many that attended, was the BEST CONVENTION yet! We had great attendance and presentations. R. Lee Ermy from the History Channel's "Mail Call" was a featured guest, and added a lot to the visitors day at the event.