The Great American Road Trip for Veterans
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Hi, my name is Scott Montefusco, I am a retired Marine Corps Veteran and Law Enforcement officer having served 36 years in and out of uniform. In 2023, I voluntarily completed a drive across the USA as a supporter of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.org), which is a 4-star rated 501c3 charity. I built and restored two special vehicles to conduct the "Great American Road Trip for Veterans". My road trip was 100% voluntary, and I conducted the drive to raise awareness for T2T.org by asking all Americans and corporations to donate directly to T2T in support of T2T's programs. Their programs pay the mortgages for the families of military and first responders with children who have died in the line of duty. T2T's home mortgage program is also building and providing free smart homes for our catastrophically wounded veterans and first responders. T2T has expanded its giving in a new national program aimed to eradicate homelessness by providing housing and services to Veterans who are homeless across all 50 states.
My campaign was also about honor all military veterans and first responders for their service to us all then and now. I also wanted to educate our youngest generation about the tragic days of 9/11, the post-9/11 illnesses affecting those who served, and finally to share our American history, respect for our nation, and respect for one another, while honoring our American Flag for what she stands for. I met and greeted my fellow veterans, their families, and patriots alike. I promoted and shared our campaign with these vehicles inspiring others to serve us all as military members and first responders.
- No commercial monetary sponsors provided funding to make this drive possible. I humbly asked for those who wished to show their support by helping me make this drive. Your donations helped me offset the costs of making this drive from San Francisco to New York City. The drive to NYC was 65 days long from May 23, 2023, to July 26, 2023. For all those I met, follow me, and helped share the campaign words will never be enough to express my gratitude. This drive only strengthened my resolve to continue serving and giving back. My campaign to help the Tunnel to Towers Foundation concluded with a donation of $40,540.00 which included funds from the auction of my restored 1952 Willys Jeep which took be across the USA!
Living history is what started it all and literally drove me!
This drive honored American history, our veterans, and first responders while remembering the victims of 9/11 by following the route of the first person to ever drive an automobile across the USA. Colonel Horatio Nelson Jackson was a decorated WWI veteran who made this drive in 1903 on the same dates 120 years ago. He was one of the founding fathers of the American Legion and one who respresented love of country with service to us all. You may read more about the drive here: History drive and route
You may follow me on YouTube, and Instagram, Captain Scott Montefusco or @Gartforvets or Gartforvets.org
Thank you so much for all your support. I hope to continue to doing future events. I wish to continue meeting others who share support for those who protect us all.
The vehicles used on the campaign, a 1952 Korean War Willys Jeep, known as "Little Glory" sold at auction during our campaign drive. Proceeds were donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation after necessary expenses and contributions made here were considered. The auction concluded on July 29th, 2023, with a sum of $31,500.00
The command post support vehicle, a 1973 vintage Winnebago, affectionately known as "Marines Dream".
*This vehicle and this campaign did not represent the United States Marines, the (USMC) in any official capacity and had no relationship with the US Government or any military branch thereof.
You may visit our website to learn more about our campaign and what might be next. here: Gartforvets website
Thank you again for your kind donations which helped me make this journey possible. You might enjoy a video of our arrival in New York City here: Downtown New York City July 26, 2023
After retrurning home to Utah we wrapped up the campaign with an interview on NewsMax see here:
Organizer
Scott Montefusco
Organizer
Sandy City, UT