More Than 50 Jeeps Attend Inaugural Honor Our Heroes Convoy
by James Coulter
Patrick Evans remembers where he was on Sep. 11, 2001. He was at boot camp firing rounds on the training range and preparing to go to war when he heard the news.
22 years later, he and his family still remember that fateful day. On Sunday, he and his fellow patriots took to the road in their Jeep vehicles in honor of their local first responders and firefighters.
More than 50 Jeep vehicles participated in the inaugural Honor Our Heroes Jeep Convoy on Sun. Sep. 10. They started at Thunder Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Bartow and drove to Lakeland, all the while passing by fire and police departments in both cities.
Each vehicle took the opportunity to show their patriotic colors, either with their vehicles painted in red, white, and blue or by flying the red, white, and blue flag from their car.
More than 50 Jeeps participated, though they were originally anticipating 30 with those expectations being more than exceeded with at least 60 to 70, explained Patrick Evans of the Florida Jeep Connection.
“This event is about patriotism and remembering 9/11,” he explained. “So, it has been 22 years and we want to give the honor and respect to the officers and firefighters that are out here. So, we create a lot of unity with the Jeeps and Jeep owners we have out here.”
Evans owes their success to the community his organization has fostered with fellow Jeep owners. They have hosted plenty of other patriotic events in support of the military and law enforcement.
“We bring Jeeps together,” he said. “What makes this a success? To be able to turn around and be a joint effort with every different Jeep crew that is out there. It is about coming together.”
