Military convoy goes through Hallock, stops in Karlstad
By Anna Jauhola
On its eighth convoy across the United States, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association made its way through Kittson County on Tuesday, Oct. 1. This is the organization’s first north-south route and they are following the original Jefferson Highway.
“Our first convoy was along the Lincoln Highway, which was on the 90th anniversary of the Army doing their first transcontinental motor vehicle convoy in 63 days from D.C. to San Francisco,” said Dan McCluskey, convoy commander. “Notables on that convoy was Dwight D. Eisenhower. That’s where he reportedly got the idea for the interstate highway system.”
The Association completed the same route along the Lincoln Highway in 28 days, however, even though the convoy travels at a top speed of 35 mph.
The group bivouacked for this venture first at the Red River State Recreation Area in East Grand Forks, Minn., to ensure space enough for the 25 or so vehicles on the convoy. On their first day, the group traveled up to Pembina, N.D., to begin its journey down the length of the U.S. Jefferson Highway.
By 1:45 p.m., the convoy came down Highway 75 and turned east onto Highway 175 to make its way to the afternoon stop at the Karlstad American Legion Hall.
McCluskey said there are 37 registered vehicles in the group, but not all of them will be with the convoy the entire time. Along the way, the majority of participants sleep in their vehicles. McCluskey’s 2 ½ ton truck’s bed is set up as sleeping quarters.
He added the group has a couple of missions – to raise awareness of the contributions vehicles made to the military and reaching out to VFWs, American Legions and veterans homes along the route.
“That’s our donation. We want to give back to those who can’t get out to see us,” McCluskey said. “We pay our own way, fuel, insurance, repairs – whatever it takes.”
They are not raising money for anything. Those involved just love old military vehicles and what those vehicles stand for – having made work easier, providing services in difficult situations.
The convoy will make its way to a final destination of New Orleans, La., by Oct. 28, just in time for Halloween. The trip will be done in 28 days – that’s not a goal, it definite, he said.
You can follow their progress on the MVPA Historic Convoys Facebook page.
DAN MCCLUSKEY, the convoy commander, drove his 2 1/2 ton truck through Hallock. Note the Jefferson Highway stickers on the front bumper.
(Enterprise photo by Anna Jauhola)
