NATIONAL NEWS:

The National Board of Directors met Thursday night before Twistercon in Norman, Oklahoma. We started at 7 PM and finally quit around 2:30 AM so I'm not going to bore you with details of the gathering.

Every chapter but the Pacific Northwest was in attendance. LTC Wilbur Gray, our National Communications Coordinator, came to give a reading of our new national by-laws and general aid us with his common sense and quick wit.

The national treasury had $6,059.10 (we spent some of it to promote the hobby at non-HMGS shows). Insurance coverage will cost $3,000 to cover all of our shows for a year; more details later. A national advertising committee was formed; I'm to guide it because I opened my big mouth. We will be looking at ways to get the word out to parties that have an interest in history, warfare, miniatures, etc. that are unaware of us. If you have ideas about advertising/promoting the hobby or you would like to work with me, call; I'd love to hear from you. GenCon is giving HMGS two free tables to recruit at the show!!!

I'm pleased to announce that we have a new group. A hearty 'Welcome aboard!' to HMGS South, all its members and especially to Chuck Kennedy, you southern drawling leprechaun you. I was disappointed that the guys from San Francisco, who would like to start a new chapter, could not find one of their people to submit their case to NBOD. We also now have a national logo. It's a knight with the HMGS shield held before him.

TWISTERCON

It was fun. The boys down in Tornado Alley put on mighty fine show. Good-looking games, a wide variety of time periods and I'll be damned if I can find my program book so I can give you more details. Besides talking hobby politics and kicking ideas around I did get a chance to play a game. Now I've played RED BARON about a dozen times or so and I've enjoyed it every time (even if I generally do get killed). But BLUE MAX is the type of game I love; short, sweet and simple. I read the charts, asked a couple of dumb questions and was ready to fly. A great WWI air game; I got shot down twice.

If you are ever down Oklahoma City way do yourself a favor and stop by the 45th Infantry Division Museum. The Thunderbird Military Park, 12 acres surrounding the museum building, holds a fine collection of military vehicles, weapons and aircraft. (Yes, I did find the flyer from the museum.) The museum itself has a selection of military hardware from flintlocks to AK47s of which any collector would be proud. But make sure to leave plenty of time for your visit to the Bill Mauldin Room with over 200 original Mauldin cartoons. Admission: free. Man, do I sound like a pitchman or what? No wonder Kennedy nominated me for the advertising committee.

MEMBERSHIP LIST:

I will mail out our annual membership list separately, not in this issue of THE HERALD. When you receive your copy please check for any mistakes and let me know about them.