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 NRA

 

ANNUAL

 MEETINGS

PHOENIX,

AZ

BY

RON BROCK

The 2009 NRA Annual Convention was another huge success. This years display featured the S/N 1,000,000 M1

Garand rifle, which was produced in November 1942 at Springfield Armory and presented to John Garand when

he retired from the armory on April 30, 1953. The display included several personal effects of John Garand

including, to highlight a few, his Smith & Wesson Third Model Perfected Target Pistol purchased directly from

S&W, Springfield identification badge, photos, awards, an honorary doctorate degree from Lehigh University,

drafting set, Blue Cross insurance card, and his Medal for Merit (awarded in 1942).

This award is the highest commendation presented to a civilian by the US government.

John Garand was the second of 401 to receive the Medal for Merit. Also on display

was a Primer Actuated Garand Rifle, a third generation Model of 1921.