A convoy of almost 30 historic military vehicles stopped in Caddo and Durant Oct. 18 as part of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association Jefferson Highway Convoy.
The Jefferson Highway route was established in 1915 and was named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson. The route is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada to New Orleans.
Upon reaching Bryan County, the convoy stopped on Buffalo Street in downtown Caddo and then crossed the Blue River Bridge at Armstrong on the old highway before stopping at Market Square in Durant.
Lt. Dan McCluskey is the commander of the 2024 Jefferson Highway Military Vehicle Convoy.
“Our purpose is to get these vehicles out and show people how the army actually used them day in and day out,” McCluskey said. “A lot of people have seen military vehicles restored and in museums, on pedestals or at car shows, but our job is to show how they ran every day.”
McCluskey said the convoy began in East Grand Forks, Minneota, and then traveled to the Canadian border before beginning the trek south and ending in New Orleans, and it is a 28-day trek.
About 30 percent of the convoy members are veterans and the remainder are collectors and restorers of historic military vehicles, according to McCluskey.
McCluskey’s father was a veteran.
“He bought a World War II Jeep in 1958,” McCluskey said. “I was six years old and I grew up in that Jeep and he restored it and I still have that Jeep today. That’s what started me into the hobby. A lot of the people have been in the hobby as long as I have.
According to McCluskey, the convoy had 28 vehicles and a couple of them broke down during the route and were placed on trailers.
“We call this history in motion and it’s our military vehicle convoy across the U.S,” McCluskey said. “Really, our biggest thing is visiting small towns like this and interfacing with the local vets. We love it when they come out and greet us. We get to hear their stories and how they used the vehicles. It just makes a very rewarding trip for us.”
