Fort Belvior Military Show

[ehrentitle]

On the first Sunday of February, May, August and November there's a great little local American Society of Military Insignia Collector's (ASMIC) military show at Ft Belvoir in Virginia (just south of DC, right off Interstate 95).

Although there are usually very few DDR items there, Ralph Pickard and I have been meeting at these shows for a few years now. I always look forward to these meetings because it's one of the few times I get to talk face to face with someone about all things related to DDR collecting. Plus the depth of Ralph's knowledge in all things Stasi is unparalleled. Two or three hours can pass in the blink of an eye.

This time around we talked a bit about rising values of NVA items, the impact of the recession on values and if the upcoming 20th Anniversary of the fall of the wall this year might have any impact. We also discussed medal production and how it was influenced the East German communist centrally planned economy where the government decide what should be produced and when it should be produced.

As mentioned above the next Belvior show is in May and anyone here is highly encouraged to participate.

[MaxxBrunn1938]

God 20 years!!! I feel way to old now..


Joe

[Ralph P]

Hey Kevin, thanks for your comments and it was good to see and talk with you again since we last saw each other from the last show. I agree we had some good discussions about many subjects this past Sunday.

[jkeegen]

I live in Richmond, VA so maybe i'll try to make one of the shows. As a DDR newbie, a meeting with some veteren collectors could be valuable.

[Ralph P]

jkeegen - Thanks for your post. The next show as Kevin said is May and on the first Sunday. If you are interested in going to the next show keep an eye out in the show forums. There is usually a thread started in that forum about the show...

[RJCosta]

Thanks for the Heads-Up!

Dear Kevin:

Thanks for the Heads-Up on the show. The last time I tried to get down to Fort B. I got there about 12:00 Noon and they were all packed up and most of the vendors were gone. So anyone who is planning to go should get there EARLY!
Like 9:00 AM

See you there.
Robert

[ehrentitle]

Robert - You are right on the mark. Generally folks start packing up at 11:30 AM (earlier if things are slow) and most are gone by noon. I usually get there around 9 AM. There is rarely much NVA/DDR stuff, which don't bother me as I also have been collecting US insignia for over 30 years.

Usually I'll make a sweep of the show when I get there. Talk to Ralph at his table about all things NVA/Stasi for a couple of hours and make a sweep at the end.

May is one of the better shows with more sellers showing up. For those who may not have attended in a couple of years note that the show has moved from the Sosa Rec Center to the Fort Belvoir Community Club, Bldg 1200, Taylor Road, Phone (703) 780-0962.

Vehicles with current DoD decals can enter at Pence Gate. After showing your ID to the gate guard just turn left at the end of the concrete barricade and you are on the driveway to the new building.

Vehicles without current DoD decals can enter at Tully Gate (off Rte.1). After showing your Driver’s License to the gate guard stay straight on the road to the second traffic light (by the chapel) and turn left on Belvoir Rd. Go about a half mile until you are approaching Pence Gate and look for a sign saying “Community Club” on the right. Turn right here and you are on the driveway to the new building. The MWR folks alert the gate guards to expect an influx of vehicles for the show and it is a relatively painless process given the extra security needed these days.

If we get enough DDR collectors to attend we can have a regular Stammtisch table!

[ehrentitle]

A reminder that the next Fort Belvior Military show is just around the corner on Sun, 3 May. I plan on attending so I'll see you there.

[Ralph P]

Kevin - thanks for the heads up. I am going to try and make it to the show next Sunday.

[Ralph P]

BTT...for those who may be interested in getting together nex Sunday.

[ehrentitle]

Ralph, I'll see you there. Do you have the same table at the far end of the left side balcony?

[Ralph P]

I should have the same table from your description...

[ehrentitle]

Just a note that the (703) 780-0962 phone number at the Fort Belvoir Community Club appears to have been disconnected for some reason, I'm not sure what the replacement number is.

[ehrentitle]

Once again Ralph and I had a great conversation on DDR militaria collecting at the Belvior Show last Sun. But unfortunately no other DDR collectors from this forum showed up to share our wit and wisdom on all things East German. Maybe next time.

[Viktor]

Genossen, We walk a Lonely Path, but it is the Progressive one, have no fear...

We are carving the Dielectric of History.