POG DESIGNER GRANT MORRIS TO SPEAK AT 2013 MPC FEST

The person largely responsible for the AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Systems) gift certificates called POGs will tell the inside story at MPCFest on March 16. Grant Morris worked for AAFES for 25 years, 20 years as an executive and AAFES Treasurer 2001 to 2007. Significantly, that time overlapped the beginning of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He had control and responsibility of the POG program; specifically printings 2 through 10.

Grant reports traveling highlights during his tenure with AAFES included: Italy, Germany, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Korea, Japan, Okinawa and Guam. He says that most interesting place he has been to while with AAFES; Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs. The most moving places he visited were the mess hall in Bagdad and Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam. His favorite moment during he career was getting invited into a soldier’s remote hooch in Bagdad, where he and his host smoked cigars, and exchanged stories and pogs.

Grant's father was drafted into the Army and served as a Glider Pilot, in the Army Air Corp. He served in the European theater, in the 32nd Squadron of the Troop Carrier Command. Grant's father's brother, Gilbert, volunteered and served in the Army. Gilbert served in the Pacific theater in the Philippines, where he survived the Bataan Death March. The POG presentation will take place at approximately 2pm, Saturday March 16 at MPCFest. The presentation fits in the Fest theme of "The Design Process." The first part of that special program will be given by Len Buckley formerly of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing as previously reported.

Grant reports traveling highlights during his tenure with AAFES included: Italy, Germany, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Korea, Japan, Okinawa and Guam. He says that most interesting place he has been to while with AAFES; Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs. The most moving places he visited were the mess hall in Bagdad and Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam. His favorite moment during his career was getting invited into a soldier’s remote hooch in Bagdad, where he and his host smoked cigars, and exchanged stories and pogs.

Grant's father was drafted into the Army and served as a Glider Pilot, in the Army Air Corp. He served in the European theater, in the 32nd Squadron of the Troop Carrier Command. Grant's father's brother, Gilbert, volunteered and served in the Army. Gilbert served in the Pacific theater in the Philippines, where he survived the Bataan Death March.

The POG presentation will take place at approximately 2pm, Saturday March 16 at MPCFest. The presentation fits in the Fest theme of "The Design Process." The first part of that special program will be given by Len Buckley formerly of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing as previously reported.

The special presentation (as well as the other twenty or so presentations) is free to Festers (collectors registered for MPCFest. However, because of the special nature of the design presentations, public participation is invited. Ten seats are reserved at $20 each for anyone interested in attending the design presentations (but not the balance of the Fest activities). Contact Fest general chairman (officially called the battalion clerk!)) Fred Schwan 419 349 1872 or fredschwan@yahoo.com.

Grant Morris's appearance at MPCFest is sponsored by Steve Swoish and other collectors who are interested in spreading the word about POG collecting.

For more information on the MPC Gram, contact: MPCGram@yahoo.com

The MPCFest bourse is the most unique such event in the country in many ways. Of course it is the only bourse in the world specialized in military numismatics--especially paper money. It features full and part-time dealers as well as collectors selling a wide variety of numismatic material, but emphasizing military money. In all cases the table holders are certain to have interesting items for sale, and, of course, they want to buy as well. It is also believed to be the only Friday bourse in the country.

Unlike MPCFest, the bourse is open to the public: everyone interested in numismatics is invited. Specialty collecting groups also meet during bourse hours. The public is invited to these meetings as well.

The Fest bourse is held at the Holiday Inn Express, 50 North East Catawba Road, Port Clinton, OH 43452. Admission to the Fest bourse and parking are free. Contact: bourse chairman DavidSeeley@gmail.com; general chairman fredschwan@yahoo.com (419) 349-1872; hotel (419) 732-7322.

2013 MPCFest Bourse public schedule

14 March
1900 Dinner at Liberty Air Museum Diner and tour
2100 Annual bowling fiasco

15 March
0830 bourse set up (David Seelye presiding)
0930 Military stamps collectors meeting (first ever?) (Ron Waddell and Roger Urce moderating)
1000 bourse open to the public
1200 Philippine Collectors forum, John Riley presiding in mess hall
1400 bond collectors’ meeting, Warner Talso and Jim Aitken presiding in mess ball
1500 JIM meeting, Neil Shafer presiding in bourse
1600 bourse closed to public
1700 bourse must be cleared

Wayne Homren, Editor

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