Military Vehicle Convoy Creates Country Pride
Group Travels 2,100 Miles
After being part of the Northwest Parks Convoy by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association in 2022, Rick Eades of Curtis, Wash., came up with a great idea. He wanted such a military vehicle convoy to travel the Lewis and Clark trail.
On Tueday, July 28, Wolf Point residents witnessed the success of Eades’ idea as the about 50 vehicle convoy went through and stopped in the community. Earlier in the day, the group spent time in Culbertson.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Eades said of the Lewis and Clark route. “So we started working on it.”
Alan Johnson, one of the leaders of the group, said about Eades, “He is really the mastermind with this trip.”
Johnson explained it takes a couple of years to organize a convoy ride. Contacts need to be made with law enforcement, American Legion posts, VFWs and the media. Johnson, who is a native of Lewistown, drove a practice route for the journey during March of 2025. He remembers that it snowed in Lewistown during that drive.
“It’s almost a 100 degrees warmer now,” Johnson laughed.
In fact, some of the rigs experienced troubles during early stages of the convoy due to the extreme July heat in North Dakota.
The group will cover 2,100 miles during its 21-day run. The journey started in Bismarck, N.D., on July 26, and will end in Hammond, Ore., on Aug. 14.
The purpose of the convey is educational and commemorative. Community members on the route had the opportunity to see historic military vehicles up close and talk directly with participants.
Johnson said people in North Dakota towns especially treated them well early on the trip. The group stayed in Glasgow for two days last week thanks to the organizing done by Joe Yeoman of the Glasgow VFW.
Johnson explained that the Military Vehicle Preservation Association is similar to a car club. “We have focused on military vehicles. These convoys are just fun,” he added. “There’s a lot of radio chatter going on.”
About two-thirds of the group’s participants are veterans.
“It’s a little bubble of happiness,” Johnson said of when the group travels to small towns. “They turn out and find some happiness when they see us go by.”
He describes the reaction as a tiny step in finding some unity in today’s climate.
“It’s emotionally rewarding,” Johnson said.
