Photo of Scott Montefusco taken by Dan Sullivan appeared in ALLOTSEGO.
After Captain Scott Montefusco, a Marine veteran, retired from federal law enforcement, he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Horatio Nelson Jackson, the man who completed the first automobile trip across the United States in 1903.
Driving in a restored Korean War-era Kaiser Willys Jeep, Scott has tried to follow Jackson’s original route from San Francisco to New York City as closely as possible.
During an overnight stop in Richfield Springs, N.Y., with a little over 200 miles left to travel, Scott spoke with a reporter from ALLOTSEGO about his motivation for making the trip.
“Our organization, Gartforvets.org (the first four letters stand for “Great American Road Trip”), supports the education of all Americans, especially young people, in the value and importance of service to our country,” Scott said.
“I stop frequently on my way, talking to school groups, firefighters and other first responders, anyone I can get to listen, about the importance of knowing our history, and supporting those who help keep us safe and free,” he added.
Scott is also supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation through the trip. According to its website, Tunnel to Towers provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
The story about Scott’s trip can be found at ALLOTSEGO.com.
People can learn more about the trip and the organizations Scott is supporting, and view videos of his adventure, by visiting the Great American Road Trip for Vets website.
Connect with him on the GARTforVets Facebook page as well.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.