Tractor Collectors Unite for Fallen Heroes
Published: Friday, May 24, 2024
On a fine weather day, 43 antique tractor owners participated in a casual drive through southern Elkhart County.
Last Saturday's "Red Loves Blue" tractor drive between Nappanee and Wakarusa covered 17 miles round-trip. What's more, it raised $3,000 for the Indiana Fallen Heroes fund.
Rob Meyers, coordinator of the tractor drive, said all the money raised will go straight to the charity that supports fallen police officers.
This is the third year for the tractor drive, which involved two local clubs—the Nappanee Power from the Past and the Northern Indiana Johnny Poppers. All tractor brands were welcome, but more than half of the units were Farmalls and International Harvesters.
Two of the drivers were Tom McCormick of North Liberty and Jeff Krusenklaus of Wakarusa.
McCormick is a farmer, electrician and Liberty-Greene Twp. firefighter. His brother is an Indiana State Police trooper, and his grandfather served in World War 2. His son, Robert, is also a firefighter.
Last Saturday, McCormick drove a 1972 Farmall 1066 with two flags mounted to the back of his tractor, the standard U.S. flag and another U.S. flag with blue, red and green stripes. McCormick said the latter flag honors police, firefighters and military servicemen.
"The first responders, our armed services—I feel they never get enough credit for what their commitment is and putting their life on the line, especially our police officers," he said. "I'm all for anything to benefit our first responders and our armed services."
Krusenklaus was at the controls of a 1968 John Deere 5020 that has been repowered with a 300-horsepower Caterpillar engine. He enjoyed driving his muscle tractor down a rural highway on a sunny day.
"The opportunity to spend an hour or two on a tractor, just listening to it and driving through the countryside is a great stress release," he said. "It allows me to go to another place."
Normally, there is a friendly rivalry between John Deere and Farmall/International Harvester collectors, but Krusenklaus said everyone was happy to join forces for the sake of the Indiana Fallen Heroes fund.
"Color is a non-issue," he said. "You bring whatever you own."
As proof of this harmony, the Johnny Poppers club donated $1,000 to the Fallen Heroes fund.
Meyers said this year's tractor drive enjoyed great weather, and he looks forward to doing it again next year.
"We are excited and hopeful for the future of this event and are looking forward to continuing to support the men and women who protect and defend us," he said.
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