Local view: Driving a 1942 Jeep for Veterans Appreciation Day was a memorable experience
Everyone has happenings they'll never forget, and I had that kind of experience recently on Aug. 12, Veterans Appreciation Day in Barre.
Chris Higgins invited me to drive his 1942 World War II Army Jeep from his house to the VFW Post 2 Legion Hall, where it was to be exhibited to celebrate veterans! It was a very memorable 5-mile drive, and many thoughts ran through my head as I slowly made the trip.
I felt so honored. No woman back in 1942 could drive a military vehicle or participate in a combative role. Equal rights for women has come a long way. Today women are not excluded from any military mission. We can be soldiers, pilots, vehicle drivers, mechanics.
As Gerry and I journeyed through town, we realized what a rugged little vehicle the Jeep is, no cushy ride, and it had a stiff-to-maneuver standard shift. It was built for rough terrain, built for work, built to last. We also noted how vulnerable a soldier would be with the open sides and top. The helmets were very heavy and protective, but the rest of your body was exposed.
There were many interesting vehicles on display in the Legion parking lot. Chris Higgins is very proud of the Jeep I drove; it was the type his grandfather drove in World War II. It served such an important role that it is referred to as a war hero.
Chris also exhibited his very unusual 1944 half-track. It looks like it's half Jeep and half bulldozer, wheels on the front and iron tank tracks on the back. It transported 13 soldiers and surely could go anywhere.
The deuce and a half-truck (a 2 1/2 ton truck) from 1970 carried cargo, troops and artillery in Vietnam. It had a winch on the front that could pull stuck vehicles out of the mud, or if it got stuck, another vehicle could pull it out. Owner Tony Walton, a 30-year veteran, said, "A winch can save a vehicle."
The 1985 Humvee was used in several wars and is still used today. It can navigate challenging desert terrain and was especially useful in the Gulf War of 1991. It is used to carry troops and cargo. Owner Richard Levesque, a 41-year veteran, said, "In combat, machine guns were mounted on the top." Protective shields can be attached to sides when needed.
Levesque, who worked in medical command in Iraq, also exhibited his 1985 Humvee ambulance.
Exhibitors were from Massachusetts Military Vehicle Collectors Club
The exhibitors were members of the Massachusetts Military Vehicle Collectors Club. The vehicles on exhibit ranged from World War II to the Afghanistan War. Media Coordinator Mark Levesque pointed out a 1952 Korean War Jeep and said, "That's the kind Elvis drove when he was in the Army."
The Jeep looked a lot like the 1942 one I drove, so I hadn't given it much attention until I heard the Elvis report. Everyone of my generation loved Elvis, and even loved him more after he was drafted in 1958 and refused an offer to be in the Army's Special Services to entertain the troops. He proved he was an everyday guy who didn't want to be treated any differently from the other soldiers.
Honoring veterans
Many area historical societies honor veterans. The Historical Society of Phillipston has a permanent pictorial display, plus a list of the town veterans and the wars they served in.
The Big E in West Springfield will honor veterans with a free pass on Sept. 16. The whole country will have parades, speeches and special activities on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. (I was very pleased when I read that Sudbury will have presentations on PTSD to help people better understand the lasting serious effects the traumatic experiences of war can have on veterans, something we all need to understand.)
Driving the little 1942 Jeep, looking at the decades of military vehicles, and having the opportunity to talk with veterans certainly made it a day of appreciation, a day not to forget. It made me realize that every day should be Veterans Appreciation Day. Those folks gave a lot, some gave their all.
Carole Gariepy is a Phillipston resident and author of “Dragging Gerry around the World” and “Why Go There?”
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Driving a 1942 Army Jeep for Veterans Appreciation Day in Barre
