World War II convoy returning to Bismarck

The Show Me Missouri Convoy will be making a return visit at 2 p.m. Saturday to the restored Bismarck train depot on East Main Street.

Such a large crowd came out to watch as the convoy of World War II vehicles rolled into town last year, that an impressed Terry Johns, convoy organizer, said at the time he could “pretty well guarantee” the group would return to Bismarck again this year.

This is the sixth year for the Annual World War II Missouri Convoy, made up for the most part by members of a non-profit organization Johns founded years ago called the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. Johns, of St. Louis, is also the founder and first president of the World War II Historical Reenactment Society. Both organizations were formed in 1976.

“Like last year, we’re once again going to have a reception inside the depot that is being organized by the Depot Preservation Committee and the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce,” said Liz Bennett, committee president. “The depot kitchen is complete thanks to a donation of cabinets by Cabinet Masters of Ironton. We also have new display cases filled with interesting items for people to look at while they’re there to see the WWII convoy.

“It was so wonderful the last time the Show Me Missouri Convoy came to Bismarck. We had no idea what to expect. It was so exciting to see all those old vehicles lined up on Main Street and everybody all dressed up — General McArthur stepping out of his car and all the others — it was all really cool and brought back to life all of those old times.”

Bennett said she hopes people from around the area will make plans now to see the convoy this weekend.

“If you missed it last year, join us Saturday. Your neighbors who saw it before can tell you how exciting it was to see these old vehicles and to learn about WWII from these re-enactors.”

“It was so wonderful the last time the Show Me Missouri Convoy came to Bismarck.” — Liz Bennett, Depot Preservation Committee president

The Sixth Annual World War II Missouri Convoy returns to the restored Bismarck train depot at 2 p.m. Saturday. The convoy of vehicles will once again be parked along Main Street for the public to view. The Depot Preservation Committee and Bismarck Chamber of Commerce will also be holding a reception inside the depot where free refreshments will be served.

This weekend convoy organizer Terry Johns of St. Louis will make good on his promise to return to the Bismarck train depot for a second year. The St. Louis resident said last year that he was extremely impressed by the crowd that came out to view vintage vehicles from WWII.

Kevin Jenkins is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3614 or kjenkins@dailyjournalonline.com