MVPA Convoy Blog

New coverage from Nebraska

noreply@blogger.com (Lost Tribe Media) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:17:00 +0000

As the Convoy rolled through Nebraska, the local news in Gretna turned out to cover the event. Click here.

Convoy video

noreply@blogger.com (Lost Tribe Media) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:25:00 +0000

All kinds of people have been posting video of the Convoy as it has traveled across the US. CLICK HERE to see video from various contributors.

Ian Wallace accident

noreply@blogger.com (Lost Tribe Media) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:59:00 +0000

Unfortunately, I have some bad news to inform everyone with.

Terry Shelswell called my home this morning and had my wife Pam relay some information to me and then onto President Welch and the rest of the board and HQ. This is the best information that we have right now and I believe it is fairly accurate, but I could have minor details incorrect.

The convoy had a full day of rest yesterday at Rollins Wyoming. Around 6:30pm, Ian Wallace was involved in an accident with his motorcycle and another car. After leaving a restaurant, Ian was travelling through an intersection and a car struck him from the left. Ian was knocked to the ground and suffered a compound fracture of left tibia and fibula. He was transported to the local hospital in Rollins and then onto the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. His wife Linda has been informed of the accident; is in contact with him and is currently working on the transportation details.

I spoke with Ian this afternoon and he is doing fine. I understand that the hospital preformed some surgery last night to stabilize the leg. Other than the leg, he only received minor scratches. Ian told me that his leg has been put into a stainless steel frame to immobilize it. The doctor told him that although the break was bad, all of the damage is repairable. After a few more days of observation and stabilization, Ian can then have surgery to repair the leg. This surgery can be done there or at home. Ian has decided to return home and have the procedure done in Columbus, Ohio. He is not sure when he will be ready to travel, but maybe in a few days. They will transport him by airplane.

We are not sure who was at fault yet. I understand from Ian that the sun was in his eyes as he went through the intersection, so he was travelling slowly, around 15MPH. He caught a glimpse of the car out of the corner of his eye, but it was too late. He thought that the car was travelling a fairly slow speed as well. A second sooner or later, Ian felt that he would have just tipped the bike and got up and left. But the cars bumper was right on the mark. I guess one of the 5 ton trucks was very close by and in Ian’s words ‘people from the convoy came out of the woodwork and were there helping’.

Besides the leg injury, Ian is disappointed that he can’t finish the convoy. He even joked that at least he did this on a rest day, so it didn’t affect the schedule. Ian said ‘Hi’ to everyone and that he will recover.

The convoy members have secured his bike on a trailer and will be taking care of its return. I understand that Ian had already worked out return transportation for the bike with Pat Underwood, so that detail is taken care of.

Thanks, will report more info when it comes available.

John Cheney

1 post script

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:25:00 +0000

one; Every time we stop for a meal all meals are measured by the one we had in East Palestine Ohio. Meaning no offense to any of our hosts it just they put on such a spread, it was like every house in town brought their favorite dish. It truly was a community event. There must have been 50 different main dishes, there desert table took 3, 8 foot tables to hold it all, every kind of pie, apple, cherry, rhubarb. Now i may be just a little biased here, being that i call East Palestine home, but I hear it every day, the convoy remembers and they remember East Palestine with fond tummys.

out here

don

Rawlins to Green River

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Good news and bad. Ian our intrepid motorcycle rider was hit by a car in Rawlins while on patrol as it were. He survived with severely broken leg, they have transferred him to Casper Hospital. They have bone specialist there. We will miss him but i think he would want us to press on, he is with us in spirit if not in body. Get well soon my friend.
Our hosts in Rawlins included,The Hampton Inn, Chamber of Commerce, Wyoming Tourism,and Main Street. Good vittles and great interaction with police and local activities,tip of the hat.
In Rock Springs, Homewood Suites, American Legion post 24 and the Legion Riders, gave us quite an entry to the towns as escorted by Legion Riders.
I would also like to give huge thanks for Sweet Water County Sheriff's Office, Carbon County Sheriff's, Rawlin's Police, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol for escorting us and keeping the blue meanies away as we traveled across this beautiful state.
Welp gotta try to upload some pics tonight.

out here

don

Monday in Wyoming

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:19:00 +0000

Man it felt so good to wake up to a rocky mountain morning.
Fresh cool air makes you glad to be alive. Several of our group went to territorial prison museum, personally i was afraid they might keep a couple.
Dinner last night and breakfast today provided by local civic groups whom i will detail tomorrow.
City of Rawlins Wyoming blocked street by railroad station for us to set up and they set up grill and pay as you go bar and dinner.
For some sadistic reason Terry forced me up another ladder truck, Annie know that the last thing i say to Terry is"Tell my wife I love her".
Well enough of my whining.
laundry done even though i got John's and he got mine, we worked it out, darn those brits wear funny socks. On towards California...gots to make it if it kills me.

Out here

Don

Convoy Videos on You Tube

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Wendy) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:48:00 +0000

sat 27 june

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:23:00 +0000

Cheyenne Wyoming
sun goes down later here it seems, maybe i'm still on east coast time.
altitude has not struck yet but it will, dryer here but that can be fooling, you still sweat it just evaporates quickly so you don't think about needing water. Boots rides us about that so you won't forget if boots is talking you by golly will listen.Impressive man there.
Lots of miles today.Lunch in Kimball Nebraska tasty and provided by the Main Street Market and VFW along with Auxiliary #2243. Thanks folk that was great.
Early and long day tomorrow.
Will post tomorrow and post some new pics tonight

out here

don

yesterdays finish

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:18:00 +0000

sorry about this taking so long.
some days are long before i get to the hotel.
anyway..yesterday morning breakfast served most graciously by American Legion Post 216.
Again thanks folks, real nice welcome and goodbye.
Stopped by the University of Nebraska Kearny Center for a morning stretch and unwind, Those have become the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Had lunch in Lexington Neb at the Heartland Military Museum. Good food but i thought i would never see the gang give up food for "things" but you should have seen some of those things, trucks, jeep or two, a duck or two.
And for the kicker in Ogalala the Elks Lodge put on the feed bag and boogie. Dixie Land
Band and grilled burgers and brats. Man what a day.

Blog Posting will come later

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:49:00 +0000

sorry folk
up half the night, now 4:30 am trying to catch up. Left my notes as to who and where in someones car, i know lame excuse but it's all i got and i'm sticking to it.
will blog later today i promas

out here

don

Video from Iowa

noreply@blogger.com (Lost Tribe Media) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Rick Woten has sent us this video as the Convoy traveled through Ames, Iowa. Thanks Rick!

Good day but tireing

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:25:00 +0000

Evening folk
Had a great breakfast fromAmerican Legion Post 216.
They hosted us and fed us 4 times,made us feel right at home.
In the great town of Gretna the Air force Heartland Band gave us a taste of 40's misic.
Terry ORDERED me (he's such a beast) to get in a bucket and go up 75 feet to get incredible footage of the group from on high.
Lunch today was provided in an wonderful town park in Schuyler. The building had been built in the 30's as a WPA project.
To close the days travels we ended up in Grand Island Nebraska tired and hot the volunteers at the Veterans Home of Grand Island had dinner waiting and it fit to a tee. Cold ham and cheese. Hit the spot.
Uploading some pics tonight. We will begin to have guest bloggers soon.

out here

don

Photos from Illinois

noreply@blogger.com (Lost Tribe Media) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Joel Craig has posted a gallery of photos of the Convoy's trek through Plainfield, IL. Enjoy!

http://gallery.me.com/joelcraig23/100259

We made it half way

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0000

yea us
We are now officially half way through the trip, mileage wise.
1500 miles and counting.
Wild weather yesterday. had to hold up the convoy Iowa, hail, and rain and wind, thought tornado was about to strike but no. Just a wet and scary scenario. Few breakdowns my self in chase car had flat tire and break lock up on trailor. I guess good for me as an observer, no fun for sure.Thanks to the selfless help from member of Lincoln Highway Association we got back with convoy in Omaha.
Nice spaghetti dinner with America Legion Post 216. Good eats guys. Well even us press guys need to do laundry.
Out for now but will post again later today.

out here

don

AH Iowa

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:31:00 +0000

Hello how are ya I hope your doing fine...
(think bugs bunny dancing across a stage) or not.
Sorry about last night. Major tired and general disorder came for a visit.
Anyway, we have arrived in Iowa. Bucolic comes to mind. Green fields, happy folk, they seem anyway, could be full of axe murderers. But I don't think so, good hearty warm people.
Every day we are shown just what the people of America are made of. Flag waving, toe haired kids and the grandmothers that you can only dream of. I can almost smell the apple pies cooking as we go by. No seriously, this great nation is made up of the good people of the prairie, home spun optimists. All they need is a little good news, the kinda thing we help provide . Mix in a little remembering when you could tell who the bad guys were, a touch of everybody being in the big one together, a smidgen of self sacrifice and self reliance. Damn good recipe for a small town America.

good night

out here

don

South Bend

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:25:00 +0000

Busy day today.
Had to parade in town. Surprising number of folk showed up considering how freaking hard it rained. Man i'm telling you. We were under tornado watches and warnings. Wind and rain.
Shorted my camera, hoping it is not a major issue.Looks like my main battery is dying or dead. Have ordered new battery to pick up as we go along. Went to the military museum here in South Bend, located at the airport. Great facility and 1 nice lunch.
Several of our members went to the Studebaker museum and saw some great exhibits.
Tonight there is a shin dig at local bar but we have a 1st gear call at 6:30 so i don't think folk will stay out late. put up some new pics, bunches.
Had a complaint that i didn't have enough jeep pics, so i fixed that.

Been busy.

out here

don

If this is thursday it must be South Bend

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:31:00 +0000

Hello hello from South Bend Indiana.
Gary Indiana Gary Indiana....sorry a Music Man moment.
Good day on the road, Indiana State Troopers very helpful and guided us perfectly.
Went by the National Military History Center in Auburn Indiana, very nice place with lots of military vehicles, a must see for military enthusiasts.
With great apologies i will not be uploading pics tonight. I know you are all crushed and will wait with baited breath for tomorrow.
Ain't I poetic? Rhetorical question no need to answer.
Will upload pics from East Palestine as well as pics from today.I have received several reports of misspelling on here, obviously a bug in the software as Mahatma Don makes know mistakes.
Anyway, let me get some rest tonight and I will be back at the pics thing for all.

out here

don

Convoy coverage from Findlay Courier

noreply@blogger.com (Lost Tribe Media) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:39:00 +0000

Thanks to Randy Roberts from the Findlay, Ohio Courier for a link to their photos. Click the link below.

http://www.thecourier.com/multimedia/military_convoy/publish_to_web/index.html

Convoy at Old Bedford Village

noreply@blogger.com (Lost Tribe Media) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:41:00 +0000

Here are some great pics taken by Chris Beglin as the Convoy stopped at Old Bedford Village in PA on June 14th. Click the link below.

http://www.acbsystems.com/gallery-hs/gallery-hs-mil.htm

Wooster to Delphos

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Rain, rain, rain oh did i mention rain?
Not to hard but steady and in a vehicle not too waterproof it was interesting to say the least.
The powers that be decided to move the big trucks up front, a very wise decision. Helped to keep speed more even so the line staid more steady and did not string out too far.
Passed through some very nice towns. Upper Sandusky, Delphos among others.
Did a nice interview Saul Marquez. A former Army NCO.
It was in his jeep i road out the rain.
While down in Wooster there were some WWII reinactors dressed as paratroopers from the 101st.
There was a gentleman there that had been at Bastone.We got a pic with them all together.
Good stuff.
Got to get to work on editing interviews to send out.

Out here

Don

Convoy Going Through Covered Bridge in PA

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Wendy) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:33:00 +0000

Carol Popernack, a convoy participant, sent this picture of a truck and trailer going through the covered bridge at Old Bedford Village in PA. She said participating in the convoy is a fantastic experience.

Links for Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Wendy) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:06:00 +0000

Here are the links Don mentions in his post...the Flickr site has lots of photos...

Lots of Don's photos on Flickr.com here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39112187@N02/

The US Army web site is featuring information and photos on the MVPA Convoy.
Check it out here: http://www.army.mil/convoy/

Reenactors in Ohio

noreply@blogger.com (Lost Tribe Media) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:44:00 +0000

Members of the 1st Allied Airborne Reenactors portraying paratroopers from the 101st pose with a CCKW during the Convoy lay-over in Wooster, Ohio.

Live from Wooster

noreply@blogger.com (Jestor) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:41:00 +0000

Wooster Ohio,
Thanks to the Marlboro Volunteers, you guys are the best.
"Down" day, yea right. Doc's Staff car had to have it's motor replaced, yes they put in a new,well kinda new, motor in his vehicle. New members have joined us today. We should have close to 70 vehicles including chase vehicles in our convoy tomorrow.
I spent the day shooting vid and pics and 5 hours digitizing vid to send some to our friends in the Pentagon.
New buttons on blog, look down below the pics and there is a button for the flickr site as well as the army.mil site that is following us.
Spread the news. The more PR we get the better. We love the little kids that stand by the road waving their tiny American flags for us. Waving as hard as hard as they can. Gives you goose bumps.
Well enough for tonight or Ms daley will have my tukus if i don't send them some stuff.

Back on the road tomorrow.

out here

don

More Great Convoy Photos from Dan!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Wendy) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:45:00 +0000