SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—The Military Vehicle Preservation Association is traveling over 2,500 miles with more than 30 vintage military vehicles. This is the association’s eighth convoy, and drivers are retracing the historic 1918 Jefferson Highway.
The Jefferson Highway was the first highway to cross border to border in the central part of the country. Chuck Toney, a planner for the convoy from Fort Scott, Kansas, to Natchitoches, Louisiana, spoke about its historical significance.
“We wanted a way to quickly and efficiently move people and agricultural products up and down a highway to make it more profitable for farmers and businesses to get along and have a future,” said Toney.
The vehicles started in Winnipeg, and the border of Canada and the United States and will travel to New Orleans, Louisiana. Along the route, the convoy stopped at American Legion Post 14 in Shreveport.
“I think it really helps with Americanism. I guess when you can look and see stuff and actually feel it, touch it, a lot of people, it seems to help people, rather than just looking on television or on a picture book,” said Ben Cothran, retired army, and Commander for the Lowe-Mcfarlane Post No. 14, American Legion.
This convoy includes military vehicles from World War II and later with larger vehicles being from the 1980’s and 1990’s.
The moving museum is traveling thousands of miles at only 35 miles an hour.
“This convoy right here, some of us will drive 7,000 miles to the start point, getting the convoy, and then, from the end point, back home. For me it’s only about a 5,500 mile trip,” said Toney.
The moving museum showcases history, while also honoring veterans who may not have had a coming home celebration.
“My first convoy was route 66, and in driving route 66, we would see a sign, welcome to Small Town USA, population 212, and there would be 500,000 people waving flags; that was my coming home parade,” said Toney.
The convoy’s final stop is at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.