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Local veteran organizes four-wheeling trips for vets
Adam Britton 4wheel for vets
Adam Britton pauses in front of his Jeep Rubicon, a purchase he made in order to be able to take veterans on four-wheeling trails with the hopes of relieving them from the residual physical or emotional pain many veterans endure after their service. - photo by ELIZBAETH ARAKELIAN/The Journal

 

Local veteran Adam Britton sold half of his belongings to purchase a Jeep Rubicon. This wasn’t the purchase of a car aficionado; it was a choice vehicle in which to drive veterans around on four-wheeling trails, a cause Britton has spearheaded for over a year.

Britton joined the armed forces as a teenager and served just three months shy of 17 years in the Army and National Guard. After sustaining injuries and returning home, Britton discovered a network of veterans experiencing the same issues. After finding that the organized Veterans Affairs activities required veterans to travel to San Jose or Palo Alto for what he found to be an often unfulfilling event, he chose to take matters into his own hands and he began organizing trips for local veterans to four-wheel on trails from the Hollister Hills to Southern California.

By collaborating with the local 4x4 In Motion four wheeling club and the California Association of 4WD Clubs, Britton found organized four wheeling events to which he could take veterans – for free. Having made his way to nearly 60 businesses to publicize the event, the biggest difficulty Britton has faced is spreading the word of his unique opportunity for those experiencing physical or emotional trauma from the war.

“Veterans look out for veterans,” Britton said of his commitment to helping those who have served. “The uniform never came off.”

Since beginning 4wheel for Veterans Britton has taken three groups of individuals to various organized trails in California, though he says this isn’t nearly enough.

“I really want this to expand,” said Britton who served in Iraq. “It is a good distraction for veterans to get out of the house and be doing something out in nature.”

Emphasizing the importance of catering the event to the individuals needs, whether that is traveling with a group of female veterans or riding an easy trail, the trips include a meal and travel. Britton also organizes similar trips for disabled children.

Those interested in organizing a trip through Britton can contact him at 595-8563.