Heralded as The Man, The Myth, The Legend, by Texas based USVET.fund, C. Ivan Stoltzfus, Honey Brook, was a featured guest at a veterans fundraiser auction with America’s auctioneer Myers Jackson and DIY Network channel’s Texas Flip and Move stars the Snow sisters.
Stoltzfus is known for driving his Johnabilt 1948 tractor across country for America for Wounded Heroes from Honey Brook to South Florida, Texas, California, Oregon, Washington and then back home to Honey Brook.
On Oct. 12, he flew to Texas headed for Coopers Old Time Pit BBQ in Fort Worth for the Oct. 13 US VET-FUND Auction, which included military items in observance of veterans and their heroic actions, iconic images from the Blue Angels, memorabilia from the cast of Flip and Move along with many autographed items that were quickly gobbled up by the large crowd. Stoltzfus was among the celebrities that people could secure a lunch date with for the event.
According to http://usvet.fund, USVET.fund supports veterans and wish to do all possible to create awareness for veterans causes. The auction and fundraising team at USVET.fund is led by Myers Jackson, an auctioneer who has performed thousands of auctions nationally and internationally, as well as auctioneer of the DIY Network channel’s Texas Flip and Move. The USVET.fund supports Across America For Wounded Heroes, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founder Stoltzfus.
Their mission and vision closely mirrors that of Across America for Wounded Heroes. Stoltzfus, an auctioneer and member of the National Auctioneers Association, was proud on behalf of the veterans to be invited to join Jackson for this large event.
“When I was putting up Route 10 in Honey Brook this August headed home with Rooster leading the way for Johnabilt, Mr. Camper, and Smiley, I looked over at Teddy on the dash and thoughts flooded back of all the veterans I had met on this trip. There on the dash was the cherished purple heart; there outside were my family and well-wishers lining the road with sirens and motorcycles escorting me,” writes Stoltzfus. “Tears started rolling down my cheeks… so glad to be home I could see my grandchildren in the distance holding a sign. But it couldn’t be over!”
While the cross-country trek on a tractor served to raise funds for PTSD veterans, it was about the sharing, he said.
“Flashback to the war stories they shared, the horror, the grief, the lost buddies. Yes, some for the first time knew they had found a friend in me. I prayed with them and cried with them. I vowed to continue this mission as I jumped out glad to be welcomed home,” writes Stoltzfus.
In Fort Worth, Texas, Stoltzfus writes about the joy of an auction, the excitement of the gavel, Myers shouting, “SOLD, SOLD, SOLD” to people gathered together sharing the American family way and the veterans with smiles on their faces.
“My heart burst with gratitude and I felt as humble as the earth beneath me. I knew the Lord was calling me, guiding me on my quest opening the doors to fulfill my dreams of service to those who had fought for my freedom, your freedom, our freedom,” writes Stoltzfus. “Stay tuned for the journey, www.helpAmericanheroes.com.”
Don’t miss Ivan’s book signing event at the Village Library in Morgantown on Veterans Day Nov. 11. Come get your book and see Johnabilt, Rooster, Smiley and Teddy all decked out for Veterans Day.
The USVET.fund supports veterans and veterans causes. Donate at http://usvet.fund.
