Milwaukee VA Medical Center
Racing past life’s barriers
James Harris, Marine Corp Veteran and Jeff Cowie of Milwaukee Porsche Club at Road America with Cowie’s 1978 Porsche 911 Super Carrera.
For James Harris, the racetrack turned out to be just the place to let go of all of his stress.
Harris and more than 60 other veterans from the Milwaukee VA visited Road America for a one-of-kind tour of the facility, picnic-style lunch and a spirted run at the 13 corners of the storied race course, courtesy of Milwaukee Porsche Club.
When the announcement was made for drivers to start lining up, more than 100 cars were on hand to offer what, for some, was the ride of a lifetime.
Harris, a Marines Corps Veteran said he had no idea what to expect as a first-timer on a racetrack, but it turned out to be more than just a thrill ride.
“I have been shut in the house and this, this is just wonderful,” said Harris. “What was really cool, man, was out there and the guys with the flags were saluting us, and you could definitely tell those were Veterans, and it was cool to be saluted by them.”
Photo Gallery - View more photos from Road America in our Flickr gallery
Instead of the usual track signal flags, corner workers waved American flags as each car sped past.
The Porsche Club, which rents the track for the day, has hosted the event for a decade. The two hours spent with Veterans is a unique part of their day, said club member Tony Quebbemann.
“This is special. These Veterans give a lot for us to have the fun we have,” Quebbemann said. “It is a part of our day that we would never miss.”
“I don’t know who likes it more, the drivers or the Veterans,” said Jeff Cowie, who drove with Harris and remembers all the Vets he drove over the years. “It is highlight of our day.”
Cowie, who said the interactions have led to some longstanding relationships, also emphasized the need to continue to recognize service members.
“We pay great respect,” Cowie said. “If it weren’t for all you guys, we may not have the freedoms we do,”
But for Harris, the meaning was much deeper than a simple joyride as he strives for recovery.
“The freedom out there, all the stress and things I am dealing with in treatment – I didn’t think about any of it. Doing events like this will definitely help in the long run.”
More than 60 Veterans took the track for a one-of-a-kind experience.
For more information on donating to Milwaukee VA, visit the Voluntary Service webpage.
