Wheelers for the Wounded trail ride

By Don Webb
Hamburg — This past Saturday, August 25 2018, in Hamburg, the National Origination Wheelers for the Wounded along with members of West Milford Elks Lodge 2236 held the 10th Annual Wheelers for the Wounded trail ride. Over 50 veterans along with 40 Jeepers from all over the state attended the event .
Before jeepers and veterans took to the trails a full and complete breakfast was served to everyone served by members of the Wheelers and Elks.
Due to the heavy rains that New Jersey has experienced throughout the summer most of the trails where washed out with deep trenches which added to the challenge or fun depending on how you viewed it.
Stu Feldmen the chairperson for the West Milford Elks Veterans Committee ssaid , “The many volunteers that helped, set up tents, cooked breakfast and lunch everyone, the drivers, the many donations from jeep club members all helped make this the 10th Annual a super success and the best one to date.”
“This was so much fun, it was nice to get out and meet other veterans and these nice jeepers. It really helped lift my spirits,” said wounded Air Force Veteran Kevin Karpiak of Tabernacle, NJ.
Jennifer Manthey of West Milford was present with here sky blue Jeep.
“Our club the Muddy Ducks came out to support wounded veterans, to let them feel and know people care," she said. "That’s so very important today.”
US Army Veteran Douglas Shephard said, "Wow , these drivers were great, driving these Jeeps through some of the roughest trails I’ve ever seen. They would make any Army tank driver proud.”
Some spots of the trails were so steep and washed out that many needed the help of wenches, and although there were a few Jeeps that did flip over, there were no injuries to people and very little damage to vehicles.
When the riders returned from the trails, a full BBQ lunch was served, addresses and phone numbers where exchanged and all went home with big smiles on their faces and memories that will last a life time.