Friday, April 29, 2011

Military Pictures

 Though occasionally cursed for its slow speed, SFC Mark Ounan's 1918 Dodge staff car was unarguably the mechanical hero of the trip. It's a true U.S. Army veteran, sold as surplus in Utah in the 1930s. It's pictured here on the Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah, which has a portion of the original Lincoln Highway as it was in 1919, including this bridge that was built of scrub cedar.

The story behind this big M-911Oshkosh 221/2-ton is as fascinating as the truck itself. Gregory Regole drove this truck on and around Fort Eustis, Virginia for nearly 10 years in the 1970s and '80s. He left it behind when he left the Army. Years later, in a completely different part of the country, he found it in a trucking yard, still in its original markings and with his name still painted on it. The owner was thrilled to meet the person who had driven the truck in service. Knowing his wallet and lifestyle couldn't swing the truck at the time, Greg avoided asking if it was for sale. More years went by, and Greg was shocked to discover the trucking company owner had passed on and willed him the truck. That's as good as any lost pet story, huh?

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