By Bill Grubb

ROGERSVILLE — An indication they aren’t ordinary trucks might be the names painted on the sides — Psychotic Reaction, Black Widow, Ace of Spades, Wild Thing, Satan’s Lil’ Angel — then, of course, there are the machine guns and the occasional grenade launcher.

    A group of Vietnam War veterans, including a local man, are gathering in Pigeon Forge this week to display examples of their unique hobby, bringing Vietnam-era gun trucks back to life.

    The gun trucks were vehicles used primarily to provide security in large convoys.

    Hawkins County resident Sammy Seay, proud owner of the Ace of Spades, played host to several of the vehicles and fellow veterans at his Speedwell Road residence Monday.  The convoy made a tour through downtown Rogersville Tuesday morning before heading to the gathering.

    Seay, who served on the original Ace of Spades during his tour of duty in Vietnam, said he and other former crew members have created the new versions as moving monuments and memorials to those who served during the war.

    “We want people today to have a better understanding of what it was like then,” he said. “We owe it to the vets who served and to honor those who gave their all.”

    According to Seay, the trucks were not “standard issue” military equipment, but were customized by the crews.

    “No two trucks were exactly alike.   The guys assigned to each truck would add what they wanted it to have,” he said.

    In addition to adding varying types of armor plating the crews would select the type of weapons.   The final type of personalization would come from the unique names and art work painted on the gun trucks.     

    Seay bought a surplus military vehicle in 2003 and rebuilt it into a replica of his unit’s 1971 Vietnam-era truck, complete with disabled weaponry, at a cost of about $50,000.

    He said the Pigeon Forge gathering will feature trucks and veterans from across the United States.
 
    “We really aren’t a paid organization or anything.  This is just a bunch of guys who all share the same interest and who decided to get together,” Seay explained.

    In addition to the cost of restoring and maintaining the gun trucks, Seay noted the vehicles are not known for their fuel economy.

    “My truck gets about six miles to the gallon,” Seay said, adding the tanks can hold 74 gallons of diesel fuel.

    In spite of the high fuel prices Seay said he enjoys taking the truck to gatherings where it is often the center of attention.