The First Florida Chapter of the MVPA – About Us

We are HISTORY IN MOTION.  Our members are dedicated to preserving the history of military vehicles of the United States.  The First Florida Chapter is a leading state chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) .  The MVPA is an international organization that includes roughly 8000 members and nearly 100 affiliate groups in the United States and around the world.

Founded in 1981 by Earle Byers, our First Florida Chapter covers the entire State of Florida. It is divided into 7 Regions, each with a regional event  coordinator. We currently have almost 300 active members with nearly as many vehicles as some members own more than one military vehicle.  In a “normal” year, our regional calendars lists over 200 events for our members to participate in each year. 

Currently, we hold one major FFC MVPA rally event each year;  our Annual ‘Winter Rally and Swap Meet’, usually held annually in February or March in Green Cove Springs.  There are tanks, halftracks, jeeps, deuces, artillery pieces, and Allied and Axis re-enactors engaging in realistic mock battles.  In addition, each event draws a large number of vendors of militaria, vehicles for sale and military vehicle parts!  In past years, we have had a Fall Rally as well, and may well again as we are searching out possible new venues.

The First Florida Chapter is a tax exempt, non-profit Educational 501(C)3 charitable organization dedicated to supporting local and statewide military and veteran organizations and charities to preserve military history.