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Sidney students got a close-up view of the military vehicle convoy Thursday as it passed through Sidney.
Vintage military vehicles are lined up in the Cabela's parking lot Thursday during a stop in Sidney
Military Vehicle Preservation Association Stops in Sidney
In 1919, the US Army conducted a convoy of various military vehicles nearly coast to coast along the newly formed Lincoln Highway (Highway 30).
Last week, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, 42 vehicles in this tour, commemoration the century anniversary, passing through Cheyenne County Thursday, Aug. 30.
Don McCluskey, Convoy Commander of Simi, Calif., said the century trip started in York, Penn., and will wrap up the journey in San Francisco, Calif. He said the Military Vehicle Preservation Association started in 1968. He became a member in 1971.
"I was member No. 46," he said.
The 2019 tour started Aug. 10 from the York, PA., Exposition Center and is expected to arrive in San Francisco on Sept. 14.
"This is my fifth convoy," McCluskey said during the stop in Sidney.
The convoy stopped at Cabela's to show their vehicles to fans and school children Thursday, Aug. 29 and completed the day with an overnight stay in Kimball.
While the procession appears like some variety of military convoy, nearly all of it is privately owned and funded. McCluskey said vehicle owners take care of the fuel costs and maintenance of the vehicles.The exceptions are when communities and organizations offer to fund fuel costs, help with supplies or a hospitality room at one of their stops. Cabela's/Bass Pro provided the convoy the use of the northeast parking lot, and a hospitality room for the drivers Thursday. Vehicles vary from a vintage Harley-Davidson, World War II Jeeps, a 1918 staff car and a wide assortment of heavy vehicles.
The journey is not easy, pacing at about 35 mph, mostly because of the age and limits of the vehicles. The comforts of modern vehicles are few and hard to come by. Air conditioning is often limited to vents or an open window.
McCluskey said the excitement of the trip is when the convey drives through a town and the streets are lined with residents, children waving American flags at the drivers excitedly. He said passing through Chappell it felt like the entire town came out to greet them.
"The reception we get from the public is amazing," he said.
McClusky's family has history in military service, though by luck or divine intervention they have all missed conflict. His grandfather enlisted in World War 1 in 1918, missing the bloodiest of conflicts because of his start date. His father was in World War II and barely missed being held over for the Korean War. The luck continued to McCluskey himself when he enlisted under the draft, but the draft was discontinued.
He sees the convoy as a cross-country tour in patriotism.
"To me, it is a parade across America," he said.
It is restoring their faith in rural America, he added.
When the convoy arrives in San Francisco, the members will be treated to dinner on the USS Hornet.
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