All American Four Wheelers Organize Big Bear Trail Run to Support Troops
A group of vets known as the All American Four Wheelers have organized a trail run in Big Bear, California to support our troops and pay respects to the fallen. The Wounded Warrior Trail Run happening May 3-5 has over 30 rigs participating and includes a raffle to raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project.
“We started talking about it amongst the guys in our Jeep Wrangler forum and we thought it would be great to have a meet and greet for the veterans,” says Joe Johnson, Army Staff Sergeant and co-organizer.
The inaugural run this weekend will take on the Gold Mountain trail, Onyx summit, and Holcomb creek. A special honorary run to Pontiac Sluice/Heartbreak Ridge will pay respects to fallen Marine captain Alan Rowe. Rowe was killed nine years ago during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was posthumously promoted to major. He was a wheeling enthusiast and member of the So-Cal Broncos club.
“The overarching theme of the Big Bear Trail Run is taking care of our own,” says Johnson. He admits that the organizers didn’t expect to have the numbers involved and the Jeep forum got them sparked. “We have 40 who are interested in going and 90% have been military or are active duty.” Each branch of service will be represented with veterans from Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom wheeling.
“We’re going to be Jeep Wrangler heavy, but it’s for all 4x4s and we have some full-size trucks going with us as well,” says Johnson. The event is open to anyone in the 4×4 community who wants to show their support for the military and forge bonds with other Jeepers.
Teraflex and GenRight are among the companies donating items for the raffle and all proceeds collected will go to the Wounded Warriors Project. Raffle tickets are $20 and purchasers are eligible for a chance to win a 25% off gift certificate from ARB along with other prizes.
The All American Four Wheelers Facebook page is the go-to resource to learn more about upcoming events and see pictures posted of the Wounded Warrior Trail Run.
The goal is to go semi-annual, holding one trail run in May near Memorial Day and a desert run in November around Veterans Day. For those who want to join the Wrangler Forum members when they break new ground at Big Bear, meet at Hanna Flats Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest May 3-5. There are 87 camp sites and 18 first-come first-served sites at Hanna Flats.
David Beran is a Copywriter at 4WD