Fox News – Ivan Stoltzfus, 70, was a successful farmer for 30 years near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. [snip]
Stoltzfus always wanted to drive across the country, like his father did for work when he was a child. And for a long time he had a calling to somehow give back to American veterans. He said he didn’t want to take his freedom for granted.
“It got to a point where I couldn’t even sleep at night,” Stoltzfus said.
In 2014, the farmer combined both of his dreams and decided to drive across the country in a custom, 1948 John Deere tractor to raise awareness and money for wounded heroes.
Now he’s at it again. This time, he is driving from Pennsylvania to Florida to the Pacific Northwest and back through the Midwest to Gettysburg, Pa.
“I like to think going across America as planting that seed of hope,” Stoltzfus said. “Giving those hope that have given up.”
How many rows can one tractor seed
TO BE HONEST, how about helping the NON-WOUNDED SOLDIERS TOO?
You know, the soldiers that can actually work and support themselves, pay taxes etc, could use a helping hand too.
MANY can’t get a stable job, don’t have transportation to even GET to a job, can’t get to the V.A. hospital, and so on.
Don’t forget able-bodied Vets, they could use a LOT of help, but are ignored because they aren’t in a wheelchair.
Think about that one for a while.
Claudia, when you head out of Minnesota you should get yourself an old tractor and trailer for the drive. Then you could be featured in a story at iOTW. You could be famous.
@super patriot
I’m sure no slight was intended on his part.
He’s simply trying to help and respect veterans and the wounded are obvious.
He’s a simple farmer in his 70s. Cut him some slack.
And if anyone comes up behind that tractor going slow on the highways cut him some slack also. Believe me there’s nothing worse than impatient idiots trying to get around slow farm equipment on highways especially on 2 lane roads during harvest time. They put everyone else’s life at risk because of their damned impatience.
Good on you Mr. Stoltzfus.
May each day bring you Blessings you richly deserve.
You will be Blessed by meeting true patriotic Americans.
Many will be Veterans, abled and disabled, who need a hand up, not a hand out.
Raising awareness will help them all. Thank you.
joe6pak, I just might need a tractor. My poor old Jeep might make it. I don’t have a lot to take with me, but I won’t be speeding, that’s for sure!
Otay, I’ve driven a lot of tractors, but that is one HEAVILY
modified tractor. Never seen one of that age period with a cab.
And yes, they vibrated heavily with the low rpm engine.
Other than that, it’s his bucket list. He should donate the money
to a local veterans group where he lives.
That cab looks like an old Peterbuilt truck.