FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Twenty-two classic roadsters convoyed onto Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield last week to put on a unique car show for Soldiers and Family Members of 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI).
Members of Street Rodder Magazine Road Tour made the special stop Sept. 19 so that Soldiers could enjoy checking out the cars and the car owners could check out helicopters.
The event was held in the hangar of 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment.
Dale E. Greening, a civilian helicopter mechanic at the airfield, said he approached Jerry Dixey, the tour director, at a car show in Syracuse two years ago to ask if the tour could come through Fort Drum.
He said with 10th CAB Soldiers and aircraft not currently deployed and the roadster tour in the area for a larger event, the timing was right for a show this year.
"It was my way of saying 'thank you,' to the military and their Families for what they've done so (that) we can have what we have," said Greening, who owns a 1923 "T Bucket" roadster.
Soldiers, Families and car owners swapped stories while taking a closer look at each other's fancy mode of transportation.
A pneudraulics repair specialist with D Company, 3rd GSAB, spent a considerable amount of time studying a 1968 Chevy Chevelle coupe, but said the 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS Wagon in front of the coupe was his favorite.
"I like that it's pretty much a big boat, but it's fast," said Spc. Trent W. Doney. "It has a big block engine."
Dave J. Bigham, a 1931 Ford roadster owner from Connecticut, was impressed with the helicopters.
"It's awesome (to learn about) all the different things they're capable of doing," Bigham said. "There are so many different types, so many different things they can do. The Chinook, you can load it with so much stuff and still carry it in the air."
The tour stopped at the airfield en route to the National Street Rod Nationals Plus in Burlington, Vt.
"I like the event," Doney said. "These guys bring out their cars, and they get to see what we do. It's a way for the Army to bond with civilians. It's a pretty good show-and-tell day."
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