ORLANDO ONCE AGAIN

ORLANDO ONCE AGAIN
Annual Police Badge and Patch Show
September 7, 2019

Labor Day is the usual sign that summer is ending. It also is the time of year that, the "Mighty Badge Collectors" from the South, all converge on Orlando, FL.  September 7, 2019 found yours truly present with around one hundred other collectors.  

As always the Show is at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on International Drive. It's a nice Hotel, and they always offer a good price for a room. I like it, and I enjoy the Shops and Restaurants across the street too.

I always look forward to the main event which was on Saturday, September 7.  But I must say, "It is getting harder, and harder to make the trip. I swear the miles between Naples and Orlando increase every year. Lois, my wife, says, "It's time to slow down." I had a helper for a couple of years, but He quit. So now, its just Lois and me. She will let me attend for a couple more years. 

This year we took only two tables and I certainly filled it with my treasures from the Newark Police Dept. My dad served there for thirty-seven years. He retired as a Detective. 

Dad got me started as a collector over 50 years ago. I saved him a seat at my table, so he could take it all in with me. Under his watchful eye,  One more memory,  landed on Our Table - A Trophy for Honorable Mention at this years Show. This was the first year for this award. It was presented by Doug Sarubbi and John Holmes. I (Dennis Beyer) was the proud winner of my Newark , N.J. Exhibits.
                                         

I also brought a Badge from the Old West which I have had the pleasure of hanging on my wall for over a decade. It is a sterling silver Presentation Badge that dates to 1912, when New Mexico became a State. It belonged to Chief Deputy US Marshal, Horace W. Loomis. 

He enjoys a spot in History stemming from the fact that, he killed the Outlaw Code(y) Young. The Outlaw was a member of the "Infamous High Five Gang." 

Loomis, while "Still Hunting" (undercover),  also had a hand in the capture of "Bronco Billy" Walters, another Outlaw terrorizing Arizona, and New Mexico in the 1890's. Anyone interested in purchasing this Badge, the asking price is $7500. 
                             

             

After settling in, I spent some quality time just talking with fellow collectors. I like talking, but I had to be real careful  around John W.  Holmes. When I talked to him, he kept selling me 'item after item'.  John is one of the Show's Founders, and just a great guy.  Somehow John talked me into becoming the owner of the two fine badges shown below, as well as the middle initial of his name.  

John is pictured below, along with Two of the Several Badges I purchased from him. The first is from the U.S. Navy. It is for the title "Naval Investigator," which was the predecessor for N.C.I.S.  The second badge pictured below is from Pensacola, Fl. When John showed it to me,  I just was stricken with the colors in this impressive shield. Red, White, and Blue. Can't be any better then that!   

                                          

After Mr Holmes released my ear I just took my time walking around the ballroom. There were exhibits all over the entire room. In a few minutes I  focused on Rick Amos (pictured here).  Rick is always at these shows. He and his wife bring some high quality badges for our enjoyment. He always has a smile, and he also has great things to talk about. I like that. 

Lois, My wife, kept an eye on my exhibit while I walked some more. I saw Sam Goldstein, and Eric Wollman (New York Minute, P.C. News). They were enjoying themselves. Naturally there were also some new guys in the room too. I found representatives of a Wood Fabricating Business, and they do work that supports our hobby's interest. They are MES MAKERS and their products can be located online at: www.facebook.com/MesMakers/

The pictures below are examples of the work that this enterprise produces, and the proud owners.

                                          

Doug Sarubbi, as everyone knows, is the Primary Sponsor of this show. Doug summoned our attention around 10:00 AM. It was sad news that he conveyed to us. He announced the Death of a long time friend of this Show, and our Hobby. He was a motorcycle officer and patch collector.

This display was made by Rob Jackson in Memory of our Friend - Jim Stewart. After Doug's announcement John Holmes asked for a moment of silence. 

PRESENTATION OF MAJOR AWARDS

The Show has a Patch Drop for our exhibitors. This usually starts the presentation of Awards. John Holmes pulled out the name of this years winner - Charles Wallace. He is a Deputy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and  a happy man with his win. He is pictured below with the box containing all those Patches.

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In a back corner of the room was a fine display of Patches. It belonged to Jeff Peeler who insisted I take a good picture of him. That's it on top.

I know he is happy with the picture, especially since He won the Show's Award for Best Patch Display.  That is Jeff pictured below, with parts of his display. He is also pictured with Doug and John who presented he Award. I know Jeff is one happy gentleman.                               

  

                                           

  

  

              

The next  winner was for the Best Badge Display  He was Lewis Surrey. He had a huge collection that stood over several tables. We have conversed over the years, so I know how proud he was to receive this trophy from Doug and John. 

 

                                     

 

The Award that followed was the Big One. It is the Trophy for the Best Overall Display. This year the Award was presented by our Sponsors Doug and John to Steve Srozinski. They are pictured below, and Steve sure enough looks very happy with his 2019 Trophy. Steve's display was of badges and patches from Florida with a large concentration on Jacksonville. 

Shortly after the last award was presented the wife advised,  "It's  time to move along."  I did so without talking back. I know better, and I know she, and GPS, will get me here again next year to share more good memories.