Summary of Purple Heart Trail's New England driving tour (April 17-22)

May 8, 2017

Purple Heart Tour Car for 2017

This is a brief summary of the five-day driving tour Capt. McCormick took in New England using roads designated as the Purple Heart Trail.  This is the Captain's second year of exploring different segments of the trail. Last year he drove through Florida.

As I crept along those little roads and saw those little towns, I realized these little towns have gave up more blood and treasure for our nation than we can ever begin to thank them for. 

Like the family store who had roots back to the 1820's who sent generations of sons to war, some never coming.  It moved me to tears at times on this route thinking, had it not been for this trip, I'd not know the stories of these small towns in America.  Very few outside of those towns even know the names of the cities - let alone the names of their sons and daughters who gave all they had for us.

It's an honor to meet the America that many do not get the opportunity to see.  God Bless America.

17 April:  Depart New Haven, WV headed North on the Purple Heart trail taking Rt. 2 all the way up through Wheeling cutting over into Pennsylvania headed to Rt. 45 which is a short stretch of road that is dedicated to PA as the Purple Heart trail. 

Along these routes, we managed to also slide into Ohio and hit portions in Ohio as you zig zagged around the PA/OH/WV state lines, but Ohio was the target on the return trip.  All along the route through PA for the first overnight stop at Niagara Falls, NY, perhaps one of the more well-known sites along this trail system that comes right to the border with Canada. 

It was a very good look at what was once an area full of opportunity that included industry dependent on gas, oil, hydro and coal energy.  The beauty, however, is overshadowed by once thriving industrial sites no longer in operation.  Rusting hulks of many once thriving factories stand as monuments to what once was.  They could be again if only we engage a robust and thriving economy based on energy independence in America.

Meeting the people in New York including the workers and manager the Comfort Inn who were friendly and appreciative of veterans and for the mission of Vets4Energy.  Not one person I engaged in conversation had any opposition to developing natural gas in America -- and even in their back yards. 
 
18 April:  Departed New York traveling the Purple Heart trail stopping briefly at various rest areas and handing out several Vets4Energy hats in the Empire State.   Crossing the border into Vermont required some 2-lane driving to get on a section of the Purple Heart Trail that would take me through the Green Mountains.  That allowed us to see many sights of colonial American history that really makes one proud. 

Nearly all the towns had a monument or some way that honored veterans.

I also happened on a veteran owned business that made wooden bowls and other hand crafted items from wood that really displayed American craftsmanship. 

Most of the people I met in Vermont are less for “all of the above” energy policy, preferring just “alternatives.”  Being a large farming state, however, explains why many understood the nuances of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):  the majority I spoke to are not big fans of ethanol saying it took too much water to grow.  
 
19 April:  Appeared on early morning radio show in Concord NH (WTPL-107.7 FM) – then had an appointment with a Navy veteran candidate for Congress, a newspaper reporter, and a meeting with a state senator. I wish I could have had more time in NH.

20 April:  Traveled to Maine which again was 2-lane and coastal driving to get to the Purple Heart trail in Augusta. 

In Maine, we saw the oldest family owned store in North America:  learned a great deal of that family’s history (original owner who was a Revolutionary War veteran, one of their kids was at Gettysburg on Little Round Top, and current children recently served in Iraq). 

It was amazing to learn these facts and see the old forts. 

We headed south and entered Massachusetts.  Some seemed distracted when we mentioned our “all of the above” energy supply (one guy took a Vets4Energy hat “only because it was made in America”).  Traveling on the Purple Heart trail the entire way was difficult, so we went back to two-lane roads. 

Driving into Woonsocket, RI, I saw the first of many signs opposing new power plants on northern RI. 

I couldn’t find anyone interested in talking anything energy except for wind and hydro.  Most oppose higher RFS (greater than 10% ethanol in gasoline blend) as many use boats and it can harm their engines.   The state does have some great monuments for veterans.

I talked with three positive people who were genuinely excited to hear about us touring the Purple Heart Trail. 

Departing CT, we used the Purple Heart Trail across New York and stayed the night at Niagara. 

21 April - Headed through PA and into Ohio where e talked to many supportive of veterans, energy in all forms, and our trip.

We arrived back in West Virginia for the final leg of this journey which was the memorial tree planting for Gold Star families at Canaan Valley, WV.  This was a humbling experience to say the least.  Meeting over 40 family members of military members killed in combat makes one reflect on sacrifice and what truly does make America great.   I don’t think anyone has ever seen the face of true patriotism until you look in the eyes of a mother who gave a son or daughter for America. 

Planting trees in the rain got us plenty dirty:  and we helped plant many of these trees.  We handed out 22 Vets4Energy hats to keep the rain out of the faces many gold star moms as we planted 60 sugar maple trees in a beautiful setting in WV Canaan Valley state park.  As I watched the rain fall I could not help but think of those as tears from heaven.  Each tree planted was a living tribute to our American heroes that gave all they had for our freedom and our national security. 

One thing is for sure my friends: every single Gold Star family member at this event supports the Vets4Energy mission and message.  They clearly see the value of American being energy independent and strong enough so that we will no longer need to invest so much of our blood and treasure into the future to countries that clearly do not like us. 

Yes, like the Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star Families pray that one day they will no longer have any “new members.”

This trip gave us a look deep into the heart of America and allowed us some very personal interaction with people that we do not always get a chance meet.  We saw towns, heard thoughts and interacted with the not so average Americans that truly have always made America Great.  We have the Purple Heart Trail to thank for inspiring us enough to “see what is was about” in New England.  I’m proud to live in a country where such open travel and exploration is possible.
 
Capt. James McCormick, USA (ret.)