If there's an event in the Puget Sound featuring historic military vehicle displays, the chances are good Peter Lahmann is there.

Lahmann, a Centralia resident, bought his first military jeep in 1974 and was hooked. His collection is now at seven military vehicles, five of which are in running condition. His extensive collection includes a 1940 Volugrafo Aeromoto (a German Paratroop Scooter), a 1942 Huffman Military Standard Bicycle, a 1942 GPW (Ford) jeep, 1953 M38A1 (Army jeep), 1967 M715 (Army jeep), 1968 M54A2C (Army five-ton truck) and a 1977 M886 (military ambulance).

"The memories these vehicles hold needs to be preserved," said Lahmann, an active member in the Northwest chapter of the Steel Soldiers, an informal group of military vehicle owners.

In addition to displaying his vehicles, Lahmann travels around the Puget Sound setting up historically accurate displays that help tell the story of Soldiers who drove the vehicle during the specific time period. For the last 23 years he's had a display at the Armed Forces Day celebration on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"I think I'm the longest running continuous displayer at the event," he said with a laugh.

Born into a family with deep military ties, a neck injury Lahmann sustained playing high school football prevented him from serving in the military, but he's stayed close to military circles thanks to his love for the vehicles and the Servicemembers who once drove them. At each historical display he does, Lahmann dresses up as a Soldier to bring the scene to life.

In May, he's scheduled to do a Korean War display at Newcastle Golf course in support of the United Service Organization Puget Sound Area's fundraiser golf tournament, and in April he'll participate in a World War II display at LaQuinta Inn in Tacoma in support of veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

"Those guys are quickly going away and their stories should be preserved," Lahmann said.

Lahmann helps organize informal weekend drives for the Steel Soldiers group, which helps military vehicle enthusiasts get together and swap restoration tips and pick each other's brains.

"That's what's really nice ... a lot of people with the group are pretty mechanically competent," Lahmann said, adding that many are service veterans.

For more information on Steel Soldiers and any events the Northwest group is hosting, visit www.steelsoldiers.com.