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Trucking for freedom, with his old mechanical friend

It was deja vu for Greg Regole when he saw the 1979 M911 HET 22.5-ton Oshkosh truck/tractor he had once driven in Iraq.
The vehicle found its way to the northern part of the state after it was purchased by Allen’s Towing in Hampshire, Ill.  It was at this business that Greg saw the vehicle and did a double take.

“I had been in the 7th Group Six Transport Company 870, Trk #12,” he said. “I drove it (roughly) 10 years, from September of 1982 until July of 1995. I was in Germany for 18 months, then Iraq … I was driving when I saw the truck (here).” He was amazed to find the very same truck he’d lived and worked in for a decade.

Greg and his wife, Tracey, run the Bunker Hill Dog Training and Grooming Specialty Store in German Valley, Ill. Upon closer view on finding the vehicle in Illinois, he said he knew it had been his truck when he saw the name was still stenciled on its side.

Jack Allen, the owner, gave him a tour of the vehicle. Once the two learned one another’s unique history with this unusual vehicle, Jack said if he ever sold the truck, he would contact Greg before he did so.

In June 2003, Jack passed away and his daughter, Jane Tegmen, called Greg, saying her dad wanted to give him the truck. Greg feels this truck is such a piece of American history that he displays it at local events such as the Stephenson County Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Show in Freeport, Ill.

The truck is rather amazing in part because of its massive size. It is powered by a 450 hp Detroit engine and has been all over the world. During Greg’s service, the truck served as a tank recovery vehicle.

Besides his truck he also has a 2.5-ton Largo trailer and troop carrier and water carrier, that he also had on display at the show.
Greg is appreciative of the Allen family and feels like he should give back after the generosity he received.

“I’m now a member of the American Legion Post 308,” he shared, adding that as a member and a private individual he takes the vehicle to shows so the public and other servicemen and -women can view it.

“I’ve put 440 miles on this just this year (2008). I was at the Memorial Day Parade, the Fourth of July parade, the Truck show and in the German Valley Day parade,” Greg said.

Trucking for freedom, sharing the history – that is what it is all about for Greg Regole.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.

1/14/2009