NCM Vets 'n Vettes 10/5 - 10/7
Jim Alvis's report on his trip to the National Corvette Museums 8th Annual Vets 'n Vettes, Nov 5-7, 2015
Since owning a Corvette for the past four years and being a Vietnam veteran (U.S. Air Force), I have always had the desire to participate in the Vets 'n Vettes event at the National Corvette Museum. This was my year to do it, so I joined several friends from Circle City CC to make the trip. Bob Wilkinson was the leader with several year's experience. We met at the regular rendezvous point at Bob Evans at exit 99. The five of us headed south to Bowling Green on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, November 4. We were invited by Ken and Cindy O to have dinner at their new-to-them high-end motor home that evening. Ken treated us to a fine lasagna meal and Cindy's delicious pineapple upside-down cake.
Thursday started the two and one-half day event with laps around the NCM Motorsports Park in the morning. The museum had invited veterans and wounded warriors from Forts Knox and Campbell to the park for rides in member's Corvettes. I got to take two individuals around the long course for a total of eight laps. The best and most fun curve of the road course is at the north end, appropriately called 'the sinkhole'. There is also a decreasing radius turn on the south end that will definitely catch the unprepared by surprise – as it did me. After the rides were over, it was back to the museum for lunch with luncheon speaker Gerald E. York, grandson of WW1 hero Alvin C. York. Thursday afternoon included a tour of the Corvette Assembly Plant, followed by a Meet 'n Greet in the evening hosted by the Bowling Green VFW Post 1298.
There were two road tours available on Friday, and Bob W selected the South Union Shaker Village tour, about 10 miles southwest of Bowling Green. The docent did an excellent job of explaining the background of the Shaker community from 1807 to 1922. Our next stop was the Federal Grove Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast in nearby Auburn, KY. The lunch was served 'family style', complete with pan fried chicken. The lunch was outstanding, and a huge hit by all. It was then back to the museum to attend a presentation titled What Makes a Hero by Gerald York. He gave a much more in depth discussion about his grandfather, Alvin C. York, who became the most decorated soldier of the U.S. Army in World War 1. A movie was released in 1941 about Alvin's life, starring Gary Cooper. Cooper won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1942. Read more about Sergeant York here: http://www.worldwar1.com/heritage/sgtayork.htm. A second presentation was equally interesting by Charles B. Wade. He explained his role in the Caisson Platoon pulling JFK's body during the funeral procession in November 1963. Read more about the Caisson Platoon here: http://www.oldguard.mdw.army.mil/specialty-platoons/caisson. The NCM Café hosted a banquet Friday evening in the Conference Center. The guest speaker was retired Corvette Assembly Plant Manager Wil Cooksey. His tenure as Plant Manager spanned 15 years, from 1993 to 2008, and will likely never be surpassed. Read more about his background here; http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/history/cooksey.html.
Saturday morning was the annual Bowling Green Veterans Day Parade downtown. About 40 Corvettes participated on a mostly clear and cool morning. Following the parade, we opted to head home.
The NCM Vets 'n Vettes Event is open to any Corvette owner, however those who have served in the U.S. Military are more likely to enjoy the event. It is an opportunity to recognize others for their service to our country as well as being recognized. I had a great time with my friends from CCCC and other Corvette owners and veterans, and will likely do it again next year.
Since owning a Corvette for the past four years and being a Vietnam veteran (U.S. Air Force), I have always had the desire to participate in the Vets 'n Vettes event at the National Corvette Museum. This was my year to do it, so I joined several friends from Circle City CC to make the trip. Bob Wilkinson was the leader with several year's experience. We met at the regular rendezvous point at Bob Evans at exit 99. The five of us headed south to Bowling Green on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, November 4. We were invited by Ken and Cindy O to have dinner at their new-to-them high-end motor home that evening. Ken treated us to a fine lasagna meal and Cindy's delicious pineapple upside-down cake.
Thursday started the two and one-half day event with laps around the NCM Motorsports Park in the morning. The museum had invited veterans and wounded warriors from Forts Knox and Campbell to the park for rides in member's Corvettes. I got to take two individuals around the long course for a total of eight laps. The best and most fun curve of the road course is at the north end, appropriately called 'the sinkhole'. There is also a decreasing radius turn on the south end that will definitely catch the unprepared by surprise – as it did me. After the rides were over, it was back to the museum for lunch with luncheon speaker Gerald E. York, grandson of WW1 hero Alvin C. York. Thursday afternoon included a tour of the Corvette Assembly Plant, followed by a Meet 'n Greet in the evening hosted by the Bowling Green VFW Post 1298.
There were two road tours available on Friday, and Bob W selected the South Union Shaker Village tour, about 10 miles southwest of Bowling Green. The docent did an excellent job of explaining the background of the Shaker community from 1807 to 1922. Our next stop was the Federal Grove Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast in nearby Auburn, KY. The lunch was served 'family style', complete with pan fried chicken. The lunch was outstanding, and a huge hit by all. It was then back to the museum to attend a presentation titled What Makes a Hero by Gerald York. He gave a much more in depth discussion about his grandfather, Alvin C. York, who became the most decorated soldier of the U.S. Army in World War 1. A movie was released in 1941 about Alvin's life, starring Gary Cooper. Cooper won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1942. Read more about Sergeant York here: http://www.worldwar1.com/heritage/sgtayork.htm. A second presentation was equally interesting by Charles B. Wade. He explained his role in the Caisson Platoon pulling JFK's body during the funeral procession in November 1963. Read more about the Caisson Platoon here: http://www.oldguard.mdw.army.mil/specialty-platoons/caisson. The NCM Café hosted a banquet Friday evening in the Conference Center. The guest speaker was retired Corvette Assembly Plant Manager Wil Cooksey. His tenure as Plant Manager spanned 15 years, from 1993 to 2008, and will likely never be surpassed. Read more about his background here; http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/history/cooksey.html.
Saturday morning was the annual Bowling Green Veterans Day Parade downtown. About 40 Corvettes participated on a mostly clear and cool morning. Following the parade, we opted to head home.
The NCM Vets 'n Vettes Event is open to any Corvette owner, however those who have served in the U.S. Military are more likely to enjoy the event. It is an opportunity to recognize others for their service to our country as well as being recognized. I had a great time with my friends from CCCC and other Corvette owners and veterans, and will likely do it again next year.
