Cruising the Alaska Highway: Cape residents to travel the road to raise money for veterans

Constructed during World War II, the Alaska Highway runs 4,100 rugged miles through Canada and Alaska. Cape Girardeau residents John Reed and Dave Hutson are about to embark on a monthlong trip in Hutson's 1951 Willys M38 U.S. Army jeep to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the road, as well as raise money for local veterans organizations.

Hutson said he signed up about a year ago at a Military Vehicles Preservation Association convention in Dayton, Ohio. "The list was nearly full, so I went ahead and signed up. I decided I'd work out the details later," he said.

The send-off reception for Hutson and Reed will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. July 22 in the Hutson's Fine Furniture parking lot under the Old Town Cape pavilion. Reed, Hutson and the Willys M38 jeep will be at the reception. Other historic military vehicles will also be on display. The reception is open to the public, but a SEMO Military Vehicles Group members-only barbecue will be held at 3 p.m.

Reed and Hutson are both members of the SEMO Military Vehicles Group, a chapter of the Military Vehicles Preservation Association, a private organization dedicated to preserving antique U.S. military vehicles of World War II, Korea and Vietnam eras. Reed and Hutson are the only members of the local MVPA chapter who will be participating in the convoy, although according to Hutson they received great help from the local chapter.

A total of about 80 vehicles will be part of the convoy, Hutson said. He estimated the convoy would include about 300 people. Hutson and Reed will begin their journey July 28 and plan to rendezvous in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Aug. 1 at the Alaska Highway's mile marker 0. The convoy will leave Dawson Creek on Aug. 4 for Fairbanks, Alaska, where they will turn around and return to Dawson Creek on Aug. 30.

Hutson said he and Reed are taking the opportunity to raise money for veterans through per-mile pledges.

"John and I were sitting around talking one night and thought it would be a great opportunity to raise some money for veterans groups," Hutson said.

Hutson said people could pledge money to any veterans organizations they wish. Hutson suggested the local VFW, the American Legion, or a local veterans home. A penny-per-mile pledge, for instance, would equal a $41 donation. A nickel-per-mile pledge would result in a $205 donation.

Once the trip is completed, Hutson said, he will ask those who pledged to write a check to the organization of their choice and he would mail the donations. Pledge forms can be filled out at Judith's Antiques and Gung Ho Militaria at 109 N. Main St., Hutson said.

Reed, a local mechanic and owner of antique military vehicles, said the road was constructed to connect Alaska to the rest of the continental United States.

"During the war, there was a concern that the Japanese would try to invade or attack Alaska and we really had no road up there from the rest of the U.S.," Reed said.

The Alaska Highway has earned a reputation for being a challenging, rough drive but is now paved in its entirety.

"It's a great way to commemorate the road and keep the vehicles up and moving and in the public eye," Reed said. "It's about the can-do attitude and remembering all those who served."

rovermann@semissourian.com

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