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“Yes Jerry there really is a Santa Claus”

(Or perhaps something even greater)

On 10/23/11 one of our life members Jerry Finney lost his older brother Jeff after years of fighting various medical issues. Jerry loved his brother and they were very close. Both shared an extreme interest in everything military and both loved Historical Re-enactment.

Jeff was not able to get out much but treasured the moments he was able to go to an event. Jeff loved everything military including sharing Jerry’s love for the L.R.D.G.

In 2010 Jeff bought a jeep, a 1943 GPW. It was is in good shape and Jeff planned to work on it when he could with guidance from Jerry and help from friends. Even throughout the years of extreme illness the jeep was always a spark in Jeff’s eye and he was very proud of it.

Now I don’t want to get into Jerry’s family history to much, all that is really necessary to understand this story is that over the years like in many families issues arise, situations pop up, some members of our families do seemingly ridiculous things we really don’t understand and on some occasions bad feelings can ruin a close family. No matter what took place Jerry and his brother remained very close to the end.

When Jeff passed away the jeep fell into the hands of In-laws. It became obvious right from the start that they had no intension of passing the jeep to Jerry but would go out of their way to make sure that he was never able to obtain it. The jeep was advertised on Craig’s list and would only be sold to an “out of state buyer”.

Without going into all the details I believe you can start to get a picture of what was happening and it was very plain to see that these Scrooge’s would do all they could to make sure the jeep did not fall into Jerry’s hands or anyone who new Jerry.

“Yes Jerry there really is a Santa Clause” and I certainly believe something much greater was at work here.

The jeep was listed for $13,000, way over priced. They dropped the price once, twice four times until it was down to $44500.00 and “SOLD” to a man who knew absolutely nothing about what had gone on over the past few months with Jerry and his brother’s jeep. Now I am not sure what happened to the idea of only selling it out of state but apparently there were no takers and they sold it to the first person who had cash.

Now this person who had the $4450.00 to spend on the jeep planned on flipping it really fast and he did. The day after the first gentleman bought the jeep he re-sold it to another gentleman.

On 9/21/12 Jerry got a phone call from his good neighbor across the street informing Jerry to “hurry up and get home you have to see the jeep I bought”. When Jerry arrived home he could see that his neighbor was now the lucky owner of a, you guessed it a 1943 GPW. Now Jerry’s neighbor knowing that Jerry loved jeeps and all things military could not wait to show it off to Jerry. Upon first glance Jerry asked the year, “a 1943 GPW” the neighbor told him. Jerry replied “man this looks just like my brothers old jeep”. As Jerry began to inspect the jeep he soon realized that not only did this jeep look like his brothers it is his brothers. Jerry asked to see the pink slip and sure enough Scrooge’s name was on the pink slip. Jerry almost fell over backwards as he realized his brother’s jeep was, through some strange twist of fate now parked across the street from Jerry’s own house. Jerry began to tell the neighbor all about the twisted story and the neighbor could not believe his ears. At the end of the conversation Jerry asked his neighbor what his plans for the jeep were “I am going to flip it” he said “I hope to make a few thousand on the deal”. Jerry then asked “how much would he be willing to sell it for”, $7500.00 the neighbor replied but if you (Jerry) want to buy it I will lower my expectations and sell it to you at a much better price as it should go to you Jerry”.

Jerry began a phone campaign and within a day there was pretty much a “Buy the jeep back for Jerry” telethon happening. Jerry was able to raise the cash between himself and a few shall we say guardian angels and within two weeks of his neighbor buying the jeep not knowing anything at all about its sorted history, the jeep Jerry and his brother worked on for a number of years, the jeep that a few people with a problem swore would never get to Jerry, a jeep which seemly refused to be sold to anyone except who it should have went to in the first place is now you guessed it, in Jerry’s garage and I know that Jerry’s brother is watching all of this with the biggest smile anyone has ever seen.

 

Jerry has been one of my right arms since forming S Patrol and a valued friend. He goes to every event. I can’t think of anyone I know who deserves something great like this to happen to more than Jerry.

On a more personal note: seeing and hearing all that has happened in the way that it happened leaves me to say only this in closing, Jerry for get about Santa Claus you will always have your brother who’s spirit I believe has made this happen for both of you and that there must be a higher power some where even if we don’t always hear or see it, it’s there and this story is proof of it’s existence.

Congratulations to you and your brother may you drive your jeep in good health and good fun.

Kim

 

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LRDG Newsletter

Dec. 15^th 2012

Well if you find yourself on this page you must have read the touching story of Jerry and his brother’s jeep (see above or below – not sure where the web master put it). Although Jerry is a LRDG Preservation Society Life Member, I have only had the pleasure of his company three times in the last three years. I remember the first time when he was still “Jerry the German” at Marching Thru History in Oct. 2009 when we won him over from “the Dark Side” to the LRDG Preservation Society. He just couldn’t stop talking about the LRDG and his fascination with them. Then the Desert Battle in April 2010 and again at the Marching Thru History Event in Oct. 2011. He has this way of putting on either British or Australian accent that is most uncanny. I have always wished that I could do that. It’s nice to see that things do work out and I am looking forward to seeing his jeep at one of our joint events in the near future.

Another LRDGPS member Dan Piedimonte has all but completed his jeep, with just a few details to finish it up. I think he is waiting for a set of K-guns that Kim is working on, other than that from what I understand it is California Registered and ready to hit the road (so to speak).

He has done it up as a G-Patrol version, something that I am sure Capt. Alastair Timpson would have been proud to ride in. If you don’t know who Capt. Alastair Timpson is, then you are not a true fan of the LRDG.

With all the flurry of vehicle construction going on, I would like to report that Ricks has indicated to me that he plans to have the T-9 (Radio) truck completed for the MVPA Portland Convention in July. Now this vehicle was to have been completed for the 2008 Convention but the death of his Mom and subsequent events over her estate had set him back. But he has assured me that this is his top priority. As all of the parts are there, assembly is all that is required.

I have been conspiring with Kim on our 2013 LRDGPS events schedule; there is quite a list, hope that we can attend most if not all of them.

1. Jan. 26^th – Salinas Rotary Event Salinas – Static display T-12 Jeep

2. March 8^th – 10^th – CHG Desert Battle – California City S & T Patrols  http://www.chgww2.net/events/

3. April 6^th – Riverside Air Show – I have suggested this for S-Patrol as it is a one day event, much too far for us to attend for the one day. S-Patrol http://www.riversideca.gov/airshow/default.asp

4. April 13^th – Pacific Grove Good Old Days Parade T- Patrol http://www.seemonterey.com/events/community/good-old-days

5. April 17^th – 21^st – MVCC “Camp Delta” – Tower Park, Lodi, Ca. I have reserved four camp sites and there should be plenty of room all of us. T-Patrol http://www.mvccnews.net/

6. May 3^rd – 5^th – Planes of Fame – Chino – S-Patrol http://planesoffame.org/index.php?page=2013_calendar

7. May 25^th – Arcadia Park Memorial Event – S-Patrol

8. May 30^th – June 1^st – American Truck Historical Society Convention at Yakima, WA. T-Patrol http://www.aths.org/CalendarEvents

9. June 30^th or July 7^th – Seaside Parade of Champions. Date TBA T-12 Jeep

10. July 4^th – Monterey Parade – T-12 Jeep (I would recommend that S-Patrol do a parade in the L.A. area)

11. July 12^th – 14^th – Fort MacArthur – S-Patrol (T-Patrol will be getting ready for Portland) http://www.ftmac.org/

12. July 25^th -27^th – MVPA Convention Portland, Or. – Planning to set up a display as we did back in the 2008 Convention. T-8 /T-9 Trucks & T-12 Jeep and any others. http://www.mvpa.org/home/mvpa-convention/upcoming-convention/

13. Aug. 16^th – Pacific Grove Concourse – T-12 Jeep http://www.pgautorally.org/

14. Aug 24^th – 25^th Thunder over the Valley – Santa Maria http://www.smmof.org/museumevent.aspx

15. Sept. 12^th – 16^th – Monterey, Ca. Cherries Jubilee - T-Patrol http://www.cherrysjubilee.org/information_friends.html

16. Sept 28^th - War Birds over Paso Robles – T-12 Jeep http://www.ewarbirds.org/airshow/index.html

17. Oct. – Marching Thru History – Rumor has it is that this will be reinstated this year at a new location; date TBA. http://wwwmarchingthruhistory.com

18. Nov. 11^th – Veterans Day Parade Salinas – T-12

19. Nov. 26^th – Yreka Parade – T-8

We are also planning a LRDGPS member’s weekend only; looking at either June or early Sept. would like member input. Also in October we will be expecting a visit from our member Grant (Thomo) Thomson; I currently do not have the dates of his arrival.

One last thing; I (we) would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year.

Thanks for your support.

Jack, Kim & Rick