Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Bi-monthly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
Issue link: https://uscgreservist.epubxp.com/i/140140
"I decided that I wasn't just going to get one association involved, I was going to get all the associations involved," he explained. And, he did. The Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association, Warrant Officers Association, Enlisted Association, and Officers Association all offered their support for the event. With financial backing from these groups, Rehberg moved on to the most challenging aspect of his endeavor, finding someone to donate a golf cart. "I pitched my idea to Club Car in Georgia and they loved it," Rehberg said. "They donated a street legal golf cart worth about $13,000 that is only sold in Europe." It took months for Rehberg and his shipmates to redesign the golf cart to meet the needs of their month-long journey. "We had to move the batteries for easy access (the batteries had to be changed out approximately every 40-45 miles during the trip), and since it was a European golf cart, everything had to be changed to U.S. standards." Rehberg also had some metal donated and local Coast Guard damage controlmen fabricated the metal on top of the golf cart to retrofit the solar panels. Rehberg said the solar panels extended the range of each set of batteries from five to 10 miles. "It was amazing. Reservists, retirees, you name it, everyone who is part of the Coast Guard was involved with this part of the process," said Rehberg. "These people would be here most nights and every weekend to lend a hand." Te adventure begins… with a bumpy start Rehberg and his crew began their adventure outside Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, Calif., the morning of April 29, 2013. They planned to drive 200 miles per day. Accompanying the golf cart were a smart car and a box truck loaded with wristbands and T-shirts, provisions, extra batteries, and miscellaneous parts and tools. "When we began the trip, we had three goals in mind," Rehberg stated, "to drive an electric, solar-assisted golf cart across the country, to meet as many vets as humanly possible and get their story out, and to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project." "Day two turned out to be quite a challenge," explained Rehberg. "We had some motor issues during the 7,000-foot accent on our way to Carson City, Calif. Luckily, we had great support from our sponsors, and they overnighted a new, bigger horsepower motor to us." The team made it to Reno, Nev., on day three and headed straight to the CartBarn, where the owner happily switched out the motor of the golf cart. While waiting for the work to be completed, Rehberg learned of a Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association convention taking place and wasted no time heading there. "The five of us walked into the convention, and it was like meeting with old friends," exclaimed Rehberg. "Within minutes, we were one with the group and donations began pouring in for our cause. We met a gentleman who was stationed on the Coast Guard Cutter Taney in Pearl Harbor during the attack, as well as Korean and Vietnam War veterans." Rehberg explained that some of the stories were very chilling. "One Coast Guard vet was telling me that, after all these years, when he hears a loud noise, he still wants to reach for his rifle and take cover." Another vet talked about not being able to wear his uniform in public when he came back from Vietnam for fear of retaliation from people here in the states. "You hear about these things happening, but to be standing across the person it happened to and listen to them tell it, it takes a moment for it to sink in," reports Rehberg. Later that day, the crew was off to a local Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital to listen to the many moving stories from fellow veterans before heading back to the CartBarn to pick up their newly motorized golf cart and get back on the road. "I've run out of adjectives to describe our experiences on the road," said Rehberg. "Everyone we met was so kind and appreciative for what we were doing. It's a great feeling to roll into somewhere you have never been to a crowd of complete strangers and be welcomed like family with open arms." As the crew drove into Green River, Utah, what turned out to be a simple postcard run ended up being a whole lot more. Rehberg and his crew met two sisters who work in Green River and, after the sisters heard the story of Carting for a Cause, they invited the crew to stop by their home and check out what they had in their basement. As they arrived at the house and walked down the stairs, they spotted a memorial wall the sisters built. The wall stood 10 feet tall and contained information on all the veterans from Green River. Some veterans never returned. The sisters said they kept records of each person listed on the Issue 2 • 2013 � RESERVIST 19