Lyons Veteran's Hospital, Lyons, NJ 11/12/11
Wrapped up the running around for the weekend by accompanying a small, donations-funded group that brings country western dancers, band, and DJ, hot dogs, cake, cookies & soda to the hospital for the afternoon. About an hour run out I-80 and down I-287 with their cars. NJ drivers positively HATE 45 mph MVs on the interstate except for the ones that like to blow their horns and wave for the Deuce.
Very small turnout for the truck because the whole thing wasn't well-publicized and they'd never had any MVs before. Nevertheless about 2 dozen guys who stopped by to talk or reminisce. Apparently a busload went to the NYC parade Friday and they were really impressed by the trucks. Joanne said we'd better keep an eye on the truck because unlike most places we go, most everybody there probably knew how to drive it.
Best part was leaving that area and cruising around the huge campus in low/2nd to the other side. There were 3 Vietnam era and 1 Korea era vets, wheelchair bound amputees. When they heard the whistling and snorting, we could see that they and their nurses took interest and got real animated, so we sorta pulled in to the building's driveway and passed a bit of time.
Quote of the day: "Boy, does
that thing bring back HORRIBLE memories!
Did a convoy from VA to NC once. 100 trucks left and we dropped 20 of them broken down on the side of the road. The ones that were running kept gettin' to the end, dropping their guys, and goin back for the others."
If I go next year and the weather is good again I'm gonna see if we can get permission, get the word out and I'll bet I fill the troop seats a few times. Takes about 15 mins to drive around the place and the campus is gorgeous. Golf course the whole way down 1 side.
The banner reads: "Miles of Smiles - Veterans Country Dance Fund."
