Freedom convoy makes city stop

Cara Brady - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 08, 2009 12:00 PM

The Army Navy Air Force Association welcomes the Freedom Route Three Convoy to Vernon Wednesday. The Western Command Military Vehicle Historical Society has assembled a convoy of 20-30 former Canadian military vehicles and taking them on a tour of the Interior from Chilliwack via Kamloops and the Okanagan, stopping at Army Navy Air Force Association clubs and Royal Canadian Legion sites. “This is for the whole community. It’s a chance to see the original vehicles and talk to the owners. It’s great that it’s coming here,” said Nina Kaufman, Vernon ANAF manager. The Military Vehicle Historical Society is made up of members who collect and restore the vehicles, including Jeeps, motorcycles, large cargo trucks and half tracks and take them to shows.

Freedom Route One took place in 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Freedom Route Two in 2007 toured the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. “Some of the members have some military background and we all learn a lot of history,” said John Hawthorne, convoy coordinator, who will be driving his 1941 truck, Old Pokey. “A lot of vets drove these vehicles in the war and they like to see them, it brings back a lot of memories. We give them a ride if there’s time. Of course, kids love to see a real Jeep and adults find it very interesting as well.” The convoy will stop at the Enderby Legion from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday. The Freedom Route Convoy enters Vernon with a police escort at about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday and have the vehicles on display from 1 to 2 p.m. For more information call Kaufman at 250-545-8246.