2,000 miles for vets, 71-year-old sets sights on scooter ride to Florida

Vietnam veteran Raymond M. Black stands in front of his electric scooter, J.C. Snow Park, St. George, Utah, April 5, 2014 | Photo by Aspen Stoddard, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Vietnam War veteran Raymond M. Black was joined by friends and family at J.C. Snow Park in St. George Saturday afternoon for a barbecue bidding farewell to the 71-year-old who plans to set out in 10 days, riding to Florida on a scooter adorned with flags and placards. His goal is to raise awareness for POWs and MIAs and raise funds to help Veterans nationwide.

Dressed in an orange shirt and shorts, black-leather vest embellished with colorful patches, knee-high yellow and orange striped socks and a baseball cap in army camouflage print, Black placed a hot dog on his plate and enjoyed the company as he told of his plans to depart from home around 6:30 a.m. on April 15. 

His traveling style is slightly unorthodox. Black will cruise over 2,000 miles on his rechargeable Pride Pursuit XL Scooter adorned with 14 American flags, one Vietnam-American flag, stuffed bears (one of them named “Freedom”), a cooler filled to the brim with root beer and a Utah Jazz stuffed monkey.

Vietnam veteran Raymond M. Black stands in front of his electric scooter, J.C. Snow Park, St. George, Utah, April 5, 2014 | Photo by Aspen Stoddard, St. George News

Black’s cross-country scooter cruise is done in association with the Vietnam Veterans of America Southern Utah Chapter 961. His journey is expected to take about three months and will weave through northern Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, down the coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and on into Florida. From there, Black will visit with a few friends, ship his scooter back to St. George and fly home.

“I have about 90 stops along the way,” Black said. “My scooter tops out at about 8 miles an hour. I’ll have to stop and recharge it every 25 to 30 miles.”

Black grew up in Landing and served in Vietnam during 1966-67. He has six children, 33 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His wife passed away about a year and a half ago, Black said, and he realized that he has the time and money to make the trip and has nothing better to do over the summer.

Fellow veterans and guests dish up hamburgers at J.C. Snow Park, St. George, Utah, April 5, 2014 | Photo by Aspen Stoddard, St. George News

Checking into hotels along the way is not on Black’s agenda. Instead, he plans on camping underneath the moon inside his own tent which he has packed inside his wagon along with a sleeping bag.

In the beginning, family and friends were concerned about Black traveling across country on his scooter, he said, but now they are mostly excited for him. But they still want to know if he is worried about any trouble along the way.

“A lot of people think he’s crazy,” Fellow Vietnam War veteran Bruce Solomon said. “The way he dresses is a statement that he wants to be noticed. He doesn’t feel significant anymore, because most Vietnam veterans have been alienated.”

It’s really important for Black to go out and do this trip, it will give him a lot of time to think, a lot of time to work through all the things he’s been through, but more importantly to help him feel significant, Solomon said. The more attention he gets the more complete his life will feel.

“I am not worried,” Black said, “and I don’t plan on bringing a weapon. I haven’t used a gun since I left Vietnam and I don’t intend to.”

As far as the scooter keeping up with his itinerary, he said he has two spare tires and the wheels on the wagon are all rubber.

“No matter what I have to do,” the veteran said, “I will make it to Florida.”

Resources

Donations can be made at the Zion’s Bank in St. George or you can mail them to 1050 E. 500 S. Apt. #6, St. George, Utah, 84790.

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5 Comments

  • Rich April 22, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    I saw him at Big Water, Utah and was recharging scooter and almost dark and about to rain….stopped and talked to him as I am a Vietnam Vet also and went to the High Desert Inn and they donated a room for him to stay over nite and then recharge the scooter and head out the next morning…Have not heard how much progress he has made but am interested…

    • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic April 22, 2014 at 5:23 pm

      We are interested too, Rich! Thank you for reporting your spotting. 😀

      ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
      Joyce Kuzmanic
      Editor in Chief

  • starboss April 24, 2014 at 10:33 pm

    He left Nice, AZ this morning.

  • Gary July 23, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    He has made it to Groesbeck, TX.

  • Lisa Stewart King July 24, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    Hello All You Raymond Black Fans …. As You can see as Posted earlier Raymond has made it safely to Groesbeck Texas on July 22 2014.. We have really enjoyed having him here with us for a few days… He will be staying in Groesbeck with my husband and I as we have welcomed him with open arms… He has had a great time being here and has been well accepted by so many people in our community,, We have glady opened our door to anyone who wants to visit with him and he has had plenty of poeple stop by,,,, I am listed under Lisa Stewart King if you wanna find me on Fb as me and several other ladies are constantly posting pictures of him…. With Love to you all… Mr Raymonds Biggest Fan

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