Thursday, September 17, 2015

ORLANDO SHOW 2015

The Labor Day Holiday causes two items to be marked on my calendar every year. First is the Orlando Police Badge and Patch Show. The second is my annual outing to Disneyworld (to please the wife). 

The Police Show is hosted by Doug Sarubbi, Sgt. Orange County Sheriff's Office. You all know who the host is of Disneyworld (My Wife). That's her watching over my Newark Emergency Bureau display.



My Lady covered the two tables that I took at the show, while I roamed the floor looking for items for my collection. She also helps as assistant photographer making sure to get a ton of pictures of my displays.

I got to stand behind the table for a couple of pictures. One was treasures from the Newark Emergency Bureau including pictures of Commanders from 1935-1955. That's me holding an old Delta hand held electric lantern. On the right side of my table was a couple pictures of my father and display cases of his old badges. Some of the pictures date back to 1929 - Father on Horse named Ginger.  


One item that brings back memories for me was the original Command Citation issued to Det. Frank Donaghy. He was a friend and a tremendous collector in his own right. Frank died a couple years back, but I am positive that He would be smiling at his Citation being part of this exhibit. Frank disarmed a bomb left by a terrorist group from Puerto Rico, known as the FALN. I also placed a few old hand restraints on the table, a clacker, a police lantern, and the night stick.






I enjoyed seeing the guys with their exhibits and some items for sale. I managed a couple additions, and turned down a couple too (the wife is checking the finance books so I have to be careful).


By time it came to packing up and heading out Doug was ready to announce winners.

In the category of Best Patch Display the winner was Gerard J. Van Der Ham of Brooksville, Fl. Helping Doug present the awards is John W. Holmes, who always has a nice display himself. In the background two of Gerard's beautiful patch presentations can be viewed.



The next award was for the Best Badge Display. George W Motley (below) was our winner. He collects Virginia badges, but also has a fine collection of US State Capital Badges. 
They save the best for last. It is the award for Best Overall Collection. The winner flanked by Doug and John, is Major Jeff Peeler, who serves in the area around Ocoee Fl (even the wife knows where that is).



Below are a few of Jeff's items that we managed to catch.  Enjoy them.




Congratulations to all winners and to all participants for making the 2016 Show another huge success. 

*****