General Information: British Section: PHOTO GALLERY: VIDEO GALLERY:
Killing Rommel Video
GUEST BOOK:
LRDG Links
Page!
WWII Music: Song clip "Lili Marlene", German and English versions (Requires RealPlayer)
EMAIL CONTACT: Send questions, comments, suggestions and information to Jack Valenti at the LRDG Preservation Society email address: LRDG@prodigy.net LRDG Facebook Site: Come visit and join our new Facebook group called: "Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) Preservation Society" (link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=156542796560). If it works out OK we'll keep it going. Let Jack know if it's useful.
Hits as of June 2009 |
Mission Statement of the LRDG Preservation Society: To learn as much as possible about the unit, the men in it and the equipment and tactics they used. Then to share that information with all whom wish to learn. To that end this group has built a replica of a classic WWII LRDG truck (1942 Canadian Chevy, right hand drive, India format) and outfitted it with "historically correct" military equipment, gear, provisions, and uniforms. The vehicle was built by Rick Butler in Yreka California from several vintage trucks and parts from around the world. Converting a left hand drive vehicle to right hand drive was one of many challenges.
The LRDG Preservation Society is the inspiration of Jack Valenti who is the chief historian, coordinator of equipment and artifact procurement and show organizer. The truck is displayed several times a year throughout the California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington areas and staffed by "LRDG clad" volunteers. This is a non-profit organization that survives through its volunteers whom donate equipment, historical information, time and money. Our society includes LRDG enthusiasts from countries like England, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Portugal, South Africa and more. The only requirement for membership is an interest in history, get on the mailing list and maybe an official LRDG T-shirt! For more information contact Jack at his email address: lrdg@prodigy.net
LRDG Newsletter Jan. 29th 2019
Well the holidays are finally over. I am late getting this out but naturally have an excuse; I have been busy communication to LRDG family members about their Fathers and Grandfathers that served with the LRDG and that takes up much of my free time. Now I’m getting ready for the upcoming years activities, like last year there are many planned, not sure that we will be able to make them all but they are listed here. I had the jeep serviced and it is just awaiting in the garage for the first event. Like last year the list will encompass both Northern and Southern California. Jerry Finney has taken charge of the Southern part of the state, as Kim has stepped down as the patrol leader. He (Kim) has sold his S.A.S. style jeep to a gentleman in Bakersfield. We were glad that it was not sold out of state. Doug Boales and I are in charge of the Northern part of the state. Doug will be bringing T-8 (Truck) to the events and I will be bringing T-12 (Jeep) to those events indicated. As you can see, there will be times when just one or the other may be attending an event. You will notice that a number of events are "pending" as either the date will change or we are waiting for more information. You can always e-mail me at lrdg@Prodigy.net or check out our Facebook page for the latest information and updates.
LRDG Events 2019
1. Feb. 8th – 10th – CHG Desert Battle – California City – S-Patrol
2.
March 16th
- Marina Car Show
http://marinarotaryclub.org/
3.
April 6th - Pacific Grove Good Old Days Parade
– I’ll miss this one as I’ll be on a road trip.
https://www.pacificgrove.org/ 4. April 16th – 20th – MVCC Meet (New Location) - 49er Village RV Park and Amador County Fairgrounds, 18265 Hwy 49 in Plymouth, California. T-8 & T-12 5. April 28th – Castroville Party in the Plaza – required fee and registration. Pending
6.
May 4th & 5th – Planes of Fame
Chino, Ca. - S-Patrol
https://planesoffame.org/ 7. May 25th – Skyline Memorial Park – T-8 & Armor – Doug Boales - Pending 8. May 27th – Oak Hills Memorial Park – T-8 & Armor – Doug Boales
9.
June 8th – 10th – Eagle Field Fly
In – Armor; T-8 & Planes
https://www.facebook.com/ 10. June 29th – 30th – Galt Parade – T-8 & Armor - Date Pending 11. July 4th – San Jose Parade – T-8 & Armor - Pending
12.
July 4th – Monterey Parade – T-12 http://form.jotform.us/form/ 13. July 7th & 8th – Ft. MacArthur Days – S-Patrol http://ftmac.org/ 14. July 14th – Saratoga Car Show – T-8 & T-12
15.
Sept 8th – San Jose Reid-Hillview Air Port Car
Show
http://www.hotsanjosenights. 16. Sept 9th – Gatsby Event Oakland – Dunsmuir Estate – T-8 & T-12 17. Nov. 11th – San Jose Santana Row – Pending - T-8 & Armor 18. Nov. 11th – Salinas Parade – T-12 – Pending
Thanks for your support.
Jack, Doug, Kim, Jerry and members of the LRDG Preservation Society
LRDG Newsletter Jan. 22nd
2018 Sorry I'm late posting this year's
newsletter, but a lot has been happening. As you saw on my Dec.
9th posting that I lost my very dear friend Rick
Butler. At the same time I had been experiencing some serious
health problems that the doctor's took their time in diagnosing.
After going through a battery of test; from Sept to Dec. they
finally decided that what I need was a 'pacemaker/defibrillator,
which was placed on Jan. 9th. I am recovering nicely
and can't tell you how much better that I am now feeling.
Amazing what a small device can do to keep the heart
ticking on a regular basis.
I have compiled a list of events for this coming year,
encompassing both Northern and Southern California. Kim Calvert
and Jerry Finney are in charge of the Southern part of the
state, Doug Boles and I are in charge of the Northern part of
the state. Doug will be bringing T-8 (Truck) to the events and I
will be bringing T-12 (Jeep) to those events indicated. As you
can see, there will be times when just one or the other will be
attending an event.
LRDG Events
2018
1.
March 9th , 10th , & 11th - CHG
Desert Battle - California City - S-Patrol
2.
March 17th - Marina Car Show - T-12
http://marinarotaryclub.org/index.html
3.
April 7th - 3rd Annual Military Vehicle &
Car Show - American Armory Jelly Belly Event 4144 Abernathy Rd.
Fairfield, Ca. T-8
4.
April 14th - Pacific Grove Good Old Days Parade T-12
https://www.pacificgrove.org/events/chamber-events/61st-annual-good-old-days-celebration/94
5.
April 25th -
29th - MVCC Meet at Petaluma, Ca. T-8 & T-12
http://www.mvccnews.net/petaluma_spring.html
6.
May 5th & 6th
- Planes of Fame Chino, Ca. S-Patrol
http://planesoffame.org/index.php?page=2018_calendar
7.
May 19th - Marina Car Show - T-12 Jeep
8.
May 28th -
San Jose Memorial Day
Parade - T-8 & Armor
9.
June
8th - 10th - Eagle Field Fly In - Armor;
T-8 & Planes
https://www.facebook.com/Eagle-Field-Dinner-Dance-and-Fly-In-104484786257038/
10.
June
29th - 30th - Galt Parade - T-8 & Armor
11.
July
4th - San Jose Parade - T-8 & Armor
12.
July
4th - Monterey Parade - T-12
http://form.jotform.us/form/50846465346159
13.
July
7th & 8th - Ft. MacArthur Days - S-Patrol
http://ftmac.org/
14.
July
14th - Saratoga Car Show - T-8 & T-12
15.
Sept
8th - San Jose Reid-Hillview Car Show
http://www.hotsanjosenights.com/
16.
Sept
9th - Gatsby Event Oakland - Dunsmuir Estate - T-8 &
T-12
17.
Nov.
11th - San Jose Santana Row - T-8 & Armor
18.
Nov.
11th - Salinas Parade - T-12
Thanks for your support.
Jack, Doug, Kim, Jerry and members of the LRDG Preservation
Society
LRDG Newsletter Dec 9th
2017
I usually have good news and report with some photos of
this year's events. But on this date I lost one of my best
friends; Rick Butler, who succumbed to my wishes in building a
LRDG truck, as passed away.
I have known him longer than I have been married (50
years); in fact he was the best man at our wedding.
If you look at some of the photos on these many pages you will
find him and me at some of the many events that we participated
in over these years. Over these past few years his health had
deteriorated to the point where he was unable to bring the truck
to any events.
It was one of the deciding factors in my decision to donate the
T-8 truck to the Eagle Field Foundation (which was accomplished
this November).
I will post some upcoming events a little later.
Thanks for your continued support. Jack, Kim, and all of the members of the
LRDG Preservation Society
Photo above is from WWII LRDG vet "Titch Cave" who now lives in South Africa. See more photos from Titch under "WWII LRDG units in the field" section. This is like being in a dust storm on the mars (very fine soot blowing 50mph plus, yellow or reddish haze\fog) that can last for several days. Sometime it will rain mud too. Actually there's a positive in that the fine silt covers everything and kills misquotes, "nature's insecticide". |