NATCHITOCES, La. (KALB) – A vintage military convoy organized by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association has traveled across the United States following the historic Jefferson Highway. On October 25 they stopped at Natchitoches.
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Chuck Toney, a 76-year-old Vietnam veteran, embarked on this adventure. He was one of the main planners of the trip and said everything was planned down to the last detail.
“If the schedule allows and it’s on the route, we can go slower,” he said. ‘We can honk and wave at you. But a stop, because we are so planned, becomes impossible. But we are going to do this: If we hear that there is an older vet who would like us to drive by, we will do everything we can to make that trip. It is that important.”
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This was the first historic military convoy to travel south from the northern United States on the Jefferson Highway, the first highway to cross border to border in the central part of the country.
“This was very well received everywhere,” Chuck said. “People here are very patriotic and appreciate what the military has done for them and the freedom it has given them. It’s not that… some cities are not as patriotic and not as America-minded, and we’ve actually avoided those cities.”
Once in the Pelican State, the group was welcomed by Southerners who were excited to see the historic military vehicles and their drivers.
The group has more than 30 vehicles that travel at a speed of 35 miles per hour at all times, with speed matched to the slowest military vehicle.
When asked about his motivation for going on this trip, Chuck said one of the main reasons is his love of history and travel.
“The motivation is to get together with a group of people, take it easy and spend some time visiting people. That’s where you learn what America is about,” he said. ‘We travel on back roads. I hugged many ladies, shook many hands and played with many dogs. That’s what America is, and that’s my motivation.”
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They will be in Pineville at Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville around noon on Oct. 26 before continuing their journey.
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