XXXIX, No. 6 June 2013

Traveling Vietnam Memorial

Club Elections, Memorial Day and West Wars in July

Message from CMH Secretary

Binhan Lin

May saw the annual club officer elections. The results of this year’s election were the re-election of the entire board for another year of service. Congratulations to the incumbent officers! The end of May was the Memorial Day weekend – a time of remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our country. A traveling copy of the Vietnam Memorial was on display in Fort Collin’s Veterans Plaza over the weekend. The Vietnam Helicopter Pilot’s Museum also had a traveling display at the Plaza.

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Congratulations to Eric and Elizabeth Elder on the completion of their miniature project; Paige Elder arrived fully painted, poseable and mobile this month. West Wars has been rescheduled for July 12-14. Nate Forte, assisted by Dan Gurule has taken the role of co-coordinator. Please contact him if you are interested in running games or assisting with the convention. Thanks to John Brown for his article on upcoming DBx events and to Bill Daniel for his article on Little Wars.

Lace Warfare and DBMM 2.0

DBx Smack Down Prep Heats Up Article by CMH Member

John Brown

The time is rapidly approaching for our annual DBx Smack Down against the folks from the wrong side

of Castle Rock. The record now stands at one to one, with the Colorado Springs Gamers’ Association

(CSGA) taking the home the honors in 2011 and the Colorado Military Historians (CMH) triumphing in

2012. Emotions run high as the tie-breaking 2013 Smack Down approaches, scheduled for 3 August at the

Falcon Police Station in Colorado Springs – an away game!

Prior to the main event, CMH will experience a preliminary CSGA invasion as the wicked Hayes

brothers, facing a calendar conflict, play a Smack Down BBDBA 3.0 precursor at West Wars on 14 July.

Art Hayes of CSGA claims to be channeling Julius Caesar, and will be fielding a 24 element Marian

Roman Army. His evil twin Roy will assist with a 12 element Numidian Army. Our Matt Vigil has

boldly committed to meet him with a 24 element Gallic Army, ably assisted by Greg Rold with a 12

element Iberian Army. This dramatic event will go for 100 points, one fifth of the Smack Down total.

On 3 August CMH will field the customary 12 element DBA armies for each of the four books. Greg

Rold will take the lead for Book I (The Chariot Period), Matt Vigil the lead for Book II (The Classical

Period), John Brown the lead for Book III (The Early Medieval Period), and Terry Shockey the lead for

Book IV (the High Medieval Period). Jim Rairdon has stepped up to the plate as our back-up utility

player, ready to stand in for any casualty should one occur. Each of these match ups will go for two out of

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three rounds, and each match up will be worth 50 points. Choice of army and opponent will be announced

at a mutually agreed upon time in advance of the event.

DBMM2, the mammoth apex of DBx gaming, will be in the capable hands of CMH’s Pat Harvey. Jeff

Goss will be his able assistant, as his calendar permits. They are scheduled to face CSGA’s formidable

Dick Fickes, perhaps assisted by persons not yet known. The scenario is Early Byzantines (our side)

versus Blemmye (their side) in 540 BC. Each side will field a 500 AP army -- a lot of lead! Because of

the scale and complexity of this match-up it will start at 1000 AM, versus High Noon for everyone else.

DBMM2 will weigh in at 100 points.

BBDBN, newly introduced this year, will round out the DBx Smack Down calendar. CSGA could only

find one player, their ImPotentate of DBx Affairs Doug Rains, courageous enough to test this untrodden

ground. In the interest of fair play and a robust demonstration of DBN’s virtues, Doug Wildfong, Dan

Gurule and a third CMH volunteer to be announced will play, allowing Rains to pick any one of them to

play alongside him. Wildfong, as CMH President, has graciously offered to sign an Executive Order

directing whoever is chosen to play his best – and granting full amnesty regardless of the outcome. Such

are the lengths we will go to to assure great DBx Gaming! The BBDBN scenario is to be Quatre Bras, and

will go for 100 points.

If you have any questions on these exciting developments, please direct them to John S. Brown at

jsandmbbrown@msn.com. If you would like to play, we’ll find a way to make that happen. If you would

like to cheer the good guys on, you will be most welcome! DBx Rules!

Unit of the Month entries – M3 Honey and T-34’s with Tank Riders

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A Trip to Little Wars 2013 Article by CMH Member

Bill Daniel

Last April, Kevin Dykman, Kasey Dykman, Steve Van Dyke and I headed to the Windy city for the

HMGS Midwest annual Miniature convention, Little Wars. Little Wars was held on April 25th through

the 27th at the DuPage Expo Center at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. I would highly

recommend the convention hotel with its comfortable beds, good food and close proximity to the

convention areas.

I played in a game of Fletcher Pratt Naval war game in 1/1200th. I commanded the French Battle Cruiser

Strasberg. The Italians hammered the French fleet but I landed a couple major salvoes on the battleship

Conte di Cavour.

The hall on Friday morning and Stalingrad on a grand scale

Steve and Kevin in a game of microarmor Jagdpanther; a great F&IW fort

A late night session of the Wild West themed card game, American Legends of the West, inspired Bill

and Kevin to go on a buying binge of Wild West buildings from Knuckleduster. The flea market was full

of golden oldies to be had for a reasonable price and Bill’s shopping bag was quickly filled with finds and

figures for his Gaming Hoard.

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A Space:1889 Victorian SF Martian adventure – display of 28mm Wild West buildings for sale

A full hall on Saturday – A late night card game of American Legends of the West

Super-sized BattleCry in 54mm - The Alamo, also in 54mm

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One of Bill’s favorites: WW2 Pulp with Capt. America and the Hawkmen of Mongo

There were over 100 games featured, a well stocked dealers room, a decent flea market and ample space.

Overall this was a great convention and I would highly recommend that if you have the chance, go to

Little Wars.

May Monthly Meeting Unit of the Month

Each month CMH members bring their latest painted figures and models to the meeting to display their latest efforts and compete for Unit of the Month.

CMH Member Scale Manufacturer Era Unit

Jim Rairdon 15mm Legia Heroica Medieval Medical and Teutonic Knights

Bill Daniel 25mm Scratch-built ACW Cornfields

Jeff Lambert 15mm Battlefront and PSC WW2 T-34’s with Tank Riders

Binhan Lin 28mm Scratch-built Misc Native Chieftan hut

Dave Newport 1/2400 Old Glory Napoleonic French and British sailing ships

John Wharrier 28mm Company B WW2 M3 Honey

Unit of the Month Winner is highlighted in RED.

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Unit of the Month entries – Cornfields and a native hut

May Monthly Meeting

Game of the Month

Each month CMH members host games at the monthly meeting. This award is for the effort put out by the host.

CMH Member Scale Era Rules Description

Doug Wildfong 25mm SYW Lace Warfare French vs. British

Matt Vigil/Pat Harvey 15mm ANC DBMM 2.0 Roman Patrician Civil War

John Mumby 10mm Musket &Horse Convention Rules Test Armies

John Brown/Dick Fickes 15mm ANC DBMM 2.0 Quadi vs. Later Imp. Roman

Jeff Lambert 1/144 WW1 Canvas Eagles British vs. Germans

Game of the Month Winner is highlighted in RED.

Unit of the Month entries – Medieval and Teutonic Knights

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Unit of the Month entry – Napoleonic era Sailing Ships

CMH June/July Scheduled Events

This table shows what scheduled CMH events are coming up. Next months Friday Night Fights (FNF) and the monthly meeting (MM) are listed. It is recommended to schedule your game for future meetings and will appear on this page.

Date Meeting Location Start Time June 7 FNF TBD TBD

June 9 MM Baker Noon

June 14 FNF Baker 7 PM

June 21 FNF TBD TBD

June 28 FNF TBD TBD

July 5 FNF TBD TBD

July 12 West Wars Baker 7 PM

July 13 West Wars Baker 9 AM

July 14 West Wars Baker 9 AM

July 19 FNF TBD TBD

July 26 FNF TBD TBD

FNF (TBD) may or may not occur this month due to a lack of a scheduled host.

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Game of the Month entries – Canvas Eagles and Lace Warfare

Memorial Day Events:

A Visit to the Vietnam Memorial – In Colorado

And A Visit to the Helicopter Museum Article by CMH Secretary

Binhan Lin

Over the Memorial Day weekend, I was able to visit the Vietnam Memorial, without having to leave the

state. The Travelling Wall, sponsored by the American Veterans Traveling Tribute is an 80% scale copy

(height) of the original in Washington DC. The traveling copy contains all the names found on the

original. We arrived near noon on Monday and were able to watch the Honor Guard pass by. The names

are listed chronologically starting from the middle, extending to the end of the East end, then wrapping

back from the West end back to the middle. The AVTT maintains a database of servicemen listed on the

monumnent and have directories made available that allow you to find names alphabetically, by

hometown or other information and a reference to the numbered panels and which line the name can be

found. Names listed with a plus ( + ) on the momument indicate that the serviceperson is MIA and that

remains have not been recovered. If remains are found or returned, the plus is changed to a diamond.

There are 58,272 names listed on the memorial.

Panels of the Traveling Wall

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The Traveling Wall spans 360 feet and is 8 feet tall at its highest point. One difference between the Traveling Wall and the original is that the TW extends above the ground, whereas the original is sunk into the ground. A visit to the Traveling Wall is as emotional as visiting the original in Washington DC as it allows you to view the scope of the casualties of the conflict. I hope that you have an opportunity to visit one of them in the future.

A young enthusiast trying a pilot helmet and testing the fit of the pilot seat

The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association operates the Helicopter Museum. Located in a 44-foot trailer, this traveling exhibit is a collection of memorabilia of various member pilots. Items include photos, damaged helicopter parts, flak jacket plates with bullet craters, maps, flags and various other documents. A highlight is the partial helicopter cockpit that they allow visitors to sit in and try out. The veterans man the museum and are quite friendly and knowledgeable regarding the exhibits. Weblinks: American Veterans Traveling Tribute – The Traveling Wall http://www.avtt.org/2012/travelingwall.html Vietnam War Memorial http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Memorial Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association http://www.vhparmc.com/category/helicopter-war-museum/

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Colorado Military Historians, Inc.

Colorado Military Historians (CMH) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote historical wargaming and the study of military history. Founded in 1965, CMH meets monthly on the second Sunday of the month, except in May when the meeting is deferred to the third Sunday. The meeting starts at noon at the Baker Recreation Center, 6751 Irving Street (just a few blocks west of Federal Blvd), Denver, Colorado. The club also hosts gaming at least one Friday night a month, called “Friday Night Fights” (FNF) at 7:00 p.m. One Friday of the month will be held at the Baker Community Center. The other Friday meetings will be held at a future determined location. See website for latest information. CMH maintains ties with numerous local, regional and national groups to help promote the hobby. CMH is governed by member-elected officers who serve on the Board of Directors (executive board). Terms of office are one year, with elections held at the May meeting. New members are accepted after attending three CMH functions and a vote of the membership. Dues are $35.00 per year, payable in January. Members wishing to receive a snail-mailed newsletter subscription must pay an additional fee of $15.00 per year. Authors retain ownership of articles and graphics published. CMH reserves the right to edit or reject submissions to the newsletter. One year Adult Membership: $35.00 Half year Adult Membership: $25.00

(For NEW members who join after June 30) Family Membership: $35.00 (one Adult and any number of offspring) Student Membership: $20.00 (16 to 22 years old) Children: free (younger than 16 accompanied by member)

CMH Newsletter The CMH Newsletter is a monthly newsletter published by the Colorado Military Historians. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of all CMH members. Mailing Address: Binhan Lin 673 W. Locust Ct. Louisville, CO Phone: 303-926-1971 Email: Lazdb@yahoo.com Web Site: www.cmhweb.org Editor/Layout: Binhan Lin Next Issue: July 2013

2013/2014 CMH Board

Members President: Doug Wildfong 303-374-9776 Vice-President Greg Skelly Secretary Binhan Lin lazdb@yahoo.com 303-926-1971 Treasurer Larry Irons 303-763-8112 Historian Dan Gurule dagurule@gmail.com 720-606-9069