Love, American style

HUETTER — Bob Brock loves America.

So much that he’s hauling a 1955 tactical fighter beautifully painted in red, white and blue, and with a screeching bald eagle, and a 1997 Jeep Wranger, also in patriotic colors, around the region.

“What you’re looking at here, it’s all borne out of love of country,” he said Thursday afternoon at the Huetter rest stop.

He transports them with a semi and flatbed, also painted to reflect all that he holds near and dear to his heart.

It’s the “Love America" tour.

“The country’s been really good to me,” Brock said. “I’ve had my successes and failures, but I love it. I love my fellow veterans — so much sacrifice they have done.”

Brock, a Vietnam War veteran who served four years and survived the Tet Offensive, said the truck, Jeep and jet are designed “to lift up the American spirit inside of everybody.”

Brock lived in Coeur d’Alene about 20 years and sold real estate before moving with wife Jacque to her family ranch in Dixie, Wash.

His current trek started there and he’s headed to Farragut State Park for a family reunion on Saturday.

He’s bound to attract attention — and welcomes it.

“I called the park service, ‘I have something different coming in,’” he said, smiling.

Brock, wearing a Vietnam veteran hat and a white T-shirt with an American flag, wants to share his love of God, country and family.

He points to his colorful cab and the words, “The Men of El Dorado.”

There are 27 names of men from El Dorado County in California, where Brock was born and raised.

“I went to school with all those guys,” he said. “I knew them all. None of them made it back from Vietnam.

“I drive for them and everybody that loves their country in their heart,” he said.

Brock’s mission began when he first drove the Wrangler from Dixie to Washington a few years ago. On his return home, he saw an F-15 fighter aircraft along the freeway and stopped to take pictures.

“I couldn’t get it out of my head,” he said. “I came home and told Jacque, ‘I’ve got to have a jet.'”

He found one.

A museum in Colorado offered him a 1955 Folland Gnat, which was a British compact fighter aircraft.

Brock retrieved it, came up with a design and had a friend paint it.

People notice.

“You don’t see a jet coming down the highway too often,” he said, laughing.

This year, Brock hopes to drive around the country, make stops and share his patriotism. He plans to stop at VFW halls, veteran hospitals, “any place I feel I can be of service to people and help build their spirit.”

Brock said people are welcome to see the jet, Jeep and truck at Farragut from noon on Saturday.

He hopes they are inspired.

“I believe this is just an extension of our American flag and the national anthem,” he said.

But really, he added, love of country is up to the people.

“This is just nuts and bolts and tires. The spirit is inside of you,” he said.