A stroll down memory lane . . . (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

Don't ask me what possessed me to do it, but at the bottom of the King & Country forum, where the pages are, I clicked "last" (page 216) and went through the threads on the first 10 or so pages of the K&C forum, from early 2005 through mid 2006.

It brought back some great memories . . . the first Symposium in 2005, the Second Symposium in 2006, my first couple of trips to the OTSN, Gideon and I meeting up with Andy, Matt Murphy, and George Guerriero at the Show in Boston in July, 2005. The first appearances of many of our great friends here on the forum. The genesis of the K&C Book(s).

I actually got all choked up when I came across a post from the late, great Doug Stork, and followed his illness through to his death, and the dedication of the second Symposium to his memory.

I just want to say thanks, ladies and gentlemen, for more than five great years of always educational, and often hysterical, good times.

 

[Northgate Woods]

Louis mate,
You are to Toy Soldier Collecting what Andy is to King & Country.
You both eat, sleep and breathe Toy Soldiers. In my opinion you have done a great deal to foster and promote this Hobby of ours. Books, Symposiums, Opening your Home up to Collectors and much more. You showed this Country boy from the Land Downunder around the Big Apple and I will never forget your great personality and friendship. Be proud my good mate in what you have achieved and have given to others in such a short period of time. Keep up the the great work. An open invitation to visit the Land of Oz will always be there.
Howard

 

[Louis Badolato]

Thanks, Howard, you are too kind. I am really looking forward to seeing you in Chicago. Maybe when the wee bairns are a bit older I can take you up on the standing invitation to visit you down under.

By the way, if you haven't done so, take that walk down memory lane and read the older posts. It is very educational. You can really see the hobby beginning to blossum and reach the golden age we enjoy today.

 

[jazzeum]

Actually, speaking for myself, some of them are embarassing and I know that some members have dredged them up from time to time

 

[gk5717]

It was pointed out that I am in fact the first registered member of this board.
I remember like it was yesterday how it came about. I was looking for cheap Britain sets so I checked TF,s and they had a few so I called and spoke with Shannon. And as we talked she said she was starting a message board with King & Country as it,s main topic.
I immediately said I was interested as the only chat about K&C was on a mainly 1-18th board and there were only about 5 members who posted K&C remarks.
I then registered and emailed my buddy "Fully Automatic" and another board member and they also joined. And the rest is history.
Aside from obtaining information on all the various brands the best thing about this board are the friendships I have made, especially while attending OTSN thru the years. Now I go to the show mainly to have a good time with all my friends from TF,s.
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

The first fifteen members were

Shannon
Pete
Alex (alexdakar)
Gary
Fully Automatic
Victory

All of the above joined on April 22, 2005

The first four of the following joined the next day, April 23:

Yours truly
desert fox
Flammenpanzer
Dennis David

The next five were

Cement Shoes
Leadmen (both joined April 24)

Ana
CannonFodder (Joe Gleeson)
Louis

all of whom joined on April 25.

It's been downhill from there

 

[hoogri]

I am almost five years a member of TF.
Next year, our Dutch club have 10 years.
In the last 5 years I have enjoyed twice been chicago.
what I've made more great
'm just glad I can be part of this collective group.
I hope I wil goning to the Chicago or New York show so time .
so not than at the December show in london.

richard .