Veteran Cars

This Veterans Day has been especially thought provoking. I attended a ceremony yesterday in central Massachusetts with my wife and family to honor her deceased father for his service in the Vietnam War, which also happened to be the 50th anniversary of the start of the conflict. That war was always surrounded by conflict. Technically, American soldiers were in Southeast Asia for a couple of years before the US government "recognized" it as more than a police action. We all know of the protests, the disrespect, and the lack of recognition those brave men and women faced when they came home from Vietnam. It was not pretty. Yesterday, my wife's father as well as over 120 veterans finally received the long overdue recognition for their service.

Have you ever read stories about how a young man purchased a new muscle car, but then had to store it because he was drafted, shipped overseas? You read further where he had big plans for the vehicle upon his return, but never did. I had the chance to talk to an elderly couple some 30+ years back about the 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner their then 18-year old son purchased brand new only to be drafted a month or so later. It was way more haunting to actually hear the story and view the car, which the young man's parents still had.

The Roadrunner was immaculate after all those years. The young man's father routinely washed, waxed, and kept it clean. He had it serviced twice a year by the same old school mechanic, who was also a good friend. Whatever fuel was left in it after 12 months, it would be drained and replenished with another tank full. The father drove the vehicle once a month to keep all the vehicle systems in working order. I remember opening the doors to look at the interior; that new Chrysler vinyl smell was ever present. There wasn't even 2,000 miles on the odometer. When I closed the doors gently, they still had that new car click. The vehicle wore the few modifications the young man did to the vehicle before he left - the mag wheels, the headers on the big block engine, and a peace sign decal on the drivers side rear vent window. It not only left me in awe but it was very haunting and sad.

But what about the veterans who did return? When looking at muscle cars, it's impossible to argue which one was the weapon of choice. One reason is because the war dragged on for years and new models were coming out annually. One thing that is for certain, is that a high performance cars were an important purchase for them. Whether it was to reclaim the youth they lost when they went oversees, or just to enjoy the extraordinary feelings those cars gave them. Perhaps is was to forget, for a little while anyway, what they had went thru, or it might have been the models they picked because they had dreamed about them while in service.

Again, we salute them, welcome them home now if they were not welcomed home as they should have been back then, and are thankful that we can enjoy the cars we love today because of their service, and all other servicemen in the past, present, and future. We salute you.

Until next time, peace out.
Dave