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SALT LAKE CITY — Retired Marine captain Scott Montefusco wants to honor veterans and first responders by driving an old military Jeep across the United States starting next Tuesday.
It will be the same route Horatio Jackson took in 1903, during the first-ever cross-country vehicle venture. But, Jackson had a driving partner and Montefusco wants one, too.
Montefusco served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1982-1988, in the reserves from 1988-1995 and then worked for the FBI from 1995-2018. He crusades for vets of all military branches and law enforcement of all agencies.
In 2003, he had been watching "Horatio's Drive," a Ken Burns film that details Jackson's story of driving a Winton automobile from San Francisco to New York in a year when cars and roads were primitive. When the program concluded, Montefusco, or "Monte," turned to his wife and told her he wanted to do the same trip in a Willys Jeep.
Delayed retirement and a global pandemic postponed the trip but, mechanically, he's ready to go. He just needs help with gas money and driving duties.
The Sandy resident plans to show the Jeep and its support vehicle — a Winnebago motorhome — at the Utah Valley Auto Expo Swap Meet on Friday. That evening, he will drive to Heber City and take a veterans' ride on the Heber Creeper, followed by a trip to the popular local burger spot — Dairy Keen. Then, it's back to Orem and the UVU show. At noon on May 20, Montefusco will roll out of the car show in Orem, headed for San Francisco.
He's also opening an auction Friday, for one lucky winner to have a chance to buy the 1952 Willys Jeep when the trip is done.
After visiting veterans and active-duty services in the Bay Area, and having a birthday cake for his 1973 Winnebago's 50th year in operation, Montefusco will back the motorhome and Jeep down a boat ramp to dip their tires into the Pacific Ocean. Then, it's off to New York, mostly tracing Jackson's 1903 route, which went through Idaho to avoid the Rockies and Nevada desert that contributed to a prior failed cross-country attempt.
Montefusco said he will drive the Jeep without a top — since Jackson drove an open car in 1903.
He also plans on some of the same stops that drivers of that pioneering route made in New York, including McSorley's Old Ale House, which was open 49 years before Jackson stopped by. Montefusco plans to end his drive at a car show with the volunteer fire department in Setauket, New York, his hometown. He had a friend there who started at the all-volunteer firefighting outfit, went on to NYC Fire, and died on duty Sept. 11, 2001.
Montefusco will announce the winner of the Jeep-sale auction on July 29, the last day of the trip. He says the vehicle has an overdrive transmission and is the best Jeep of the several that he owns.
The Utah veteran said he's most excited about meeting veterans and patriotic people along the way, sharing stories of their good times and bad. He plans to stop at police and fire departments promoting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit that assists veterans, first responders and their families with housing.
Another reason to seek out cops? Montefusco said he needs some help to drive the motorhome. He has some drivers signed up, but has enough gaps on the route that he's still recruiting … and worried. He said he'll have to tow the Jeep with the motorhome if he can't get help.
He's also looking for help with expenses.
In addition to the more than a half-dozen sponsors, Montefusco recently started a GoFundMe* page to help cover costs. He's documented most of his Great American Road Trip online, at gartforvets.org. He's also looking for podcasters to talk to while he's on the road — he'll be driving the Jeep while wearing a hands-free, helicopter-style helmet to stay safe.
Anything to get the word out. And, as Montefusco says, to help our veterans.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
