This year marked alot of changes for Spring Maneuvers. First our location was moved to the Hunt Lodge. This is still on the Post but, in the far Northwest corner and was confusing to some. Our new location afforded the other changes to occur; the price of admission was lowered to $7.00 per attendee. As a result of this and a need to control the younger crowd, there was no free admission for children or spouses. Regardless of the worried thought and some naysayers to the contrary, there was just two references to the policy and neither was complaining.

Overall, the convention was extremely successful. Total attendance was 87, the food service had to make more Rice Krispie Treats, and the organization netted over $1200.00. Much more than in any previous year. Vendors were Hardtack Hobbies, George Knapp, Annistasia's Books, Harold Morgan's Old Games, Miniature Wargames Dot Com, War, War And More War and Hatsoff.

Game registration was slow but, picked up in the final week. War, War and More War came to the rescue and volunteered to run a full slate of games even though they were really wanting to not run games at conventions for a while. Best of Show turned out to be the First Game to Schedule; Operation Husky - Sicily a treatment of the American landing at Gala and the Axis Counterattack that was very close.

Games throughout the weekend were high caliber

George Knapp was great with his Bunker Hill game now how he wants it. George also ran TWO Pirate games and his Shot Heard Round The World, The Battles of Lexington and Concord. ( A shameless plug for myself is that the "Home Version" in boardgame form of " Shot Heard Round The World" is now available through me.)

Mark Kyriss ran an EXCELLENT DBA 1.1 Tournament. Many of the participants were youngsters and his call could be heard periodically in the hall calling for the next Rond to start.

Jim Bodenheimer ran two Fire & Fury games and a Western Gunfight shoot-em up. all were very much enjoyed by the players.

There were three Napoleonic games during the weekend; Chris Wilkowski ran a 15mm game, Rick Stuhrke and Scott Gerber ran a neat 5mm game and Mark Johnson had his 25mm Napoleonics. All three games were well attended and good looking but, Mark's game had the distinction of EVERYONE staying in the game to the last man. That is VERY RARE.

Alex Barbuto ran a fun Warhammer game right in front of the entrance to the hall on Saturday Afternoon. Excitement ran high throughout that game.

As mentioned before, War, War and More War had their table running from Friday Night on with repeating games of a Modern Rescue Mission and a Medieval Castle storming that entertained all who watched or played.

Steve Allie and Eric Mathews ran two N scale WWII games and a couple of 15mm Mexican War actions using his On To Mexico Rules.

I got to run a On To Mexico as well as my ACW with Stonewall Jackson's Way Rules. The latter confused the players a bit as no casualties were removed and none were recorded but, the action also was vicious and allowed for immediate counterattacks which threw a successful river crossing back across so fast it made your head swim. I also ran and participated in a DIPOLMACY game. A first for our convention but, won't be the last. The caliber of players was high and the competitin for Europe was fierce. The game ended due to the Doors closing on Friday.

As I just intimated, Boardgaming was stronger than before with several pick up games being played.

Steve Huskey playing KREIG in the main room.

Ken Van Pelt showed off his boardgame which is a combination of Stratego and Broadside.

Next year their will be a better space for the DBA and Boardgaming.

BEST OF SHOW belonged to Duane Fleck, Brad Jenson and Steve Modrcin. The ambitious undertaking of a series of games depicting a cronological simulation of the American landing on Sicily in WWII which was subjected to a strong Italian Counterattack. A excellent table with superb looking terrain in solid sections was remincent of what Gary Mills did which almost got Best of Show last year. The difference was that the effort this year dominated the room and attracted the attention of everyone there. Many players participated in all three segments thus keeping their commitment over the weekend. Story boards were there to inform onlookers what the historical event was about. All together a tremendous amount of work deserving of the highest praise possible.

Thanks again to George Knapp and company for doig the Silent Auction this again year. With his Booth, Games and the Auction George was certainly kept busy.

Alot of new faces which was due to the hand delivery of the flyer on the convention to every location on the Post.

Unfortunately, many who are often with us were absent. Believe me you were missed. I hope that those who couldn't make it this time will return next year.

The smaller surroundings actually helped create a more exciting atmosphere. The games were closer together and gave the allusion of more activity than perhaps was the case. With the sound echoing off the stone and wood with magnification.

Thank you ALL for coming up and joining us. The additional funds will allow us to repair equipment and get new items such as mock display artillery ammunition that can be handled by the public. The more the Living History program can give hands on to the public the better their understanding of our portrayal. Thank you all for helping us teach others about our past.

I hope to see you all next year!

SPRING MANEUVERS 2003
FEBRUARY 21 & 22, 2003
Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas

This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com