By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

A West Caln Township resident left the area Friday morning, May 2, on a cross-country trek that a group of first-responders felt deserved some fanfare.

C. Ivan Stoltzfus, a retired farmer and auctioneer, plans to drive his specially modified 1948 John Deere – dubbed the “Johnabilt” for its retrofitted 1984 Peterbilt cab – to the Pacific coast. The journey aims to raise money and awareness for veterans through “Across America For Wounded Heroes,” an initiative of the Wounded Warrior Project, a veterans’ service organization that focuses on those injured in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

West Caln Police Chief Curt A. Martinez said he checked with Stoltzfus to make sure he was amenable to a send-off. And once Martinez got an OK, the convoy grew to include members of the West Caln Township Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Wagontown Fire Company, and Westwood Ambulance.

“Basically we just gave him an escort out of town,” Martinez said. “We wanted to give him some support as he headed out. He’s on his way to Gettysburg but will end up in California.” Martinez said the convoy accompanied Stoltzfus about five miles – to the White Horse Luncheonette in Gap.

A week ago, Stoltzfus, who had driven from Manasquan, N.J., the start of his odyssey, anchored a parade in Kennett Square. There, First Baptist Church Pastor Jim Olsen,  a member of the Waterloo Boys, a local John Deere club, organized the festivities, which included classic, antique tractors of all colors, makes and models.

Stoltzfus’s goal is to raise $1 million for the Wounded Warriors Project. Interested parties can track his journey at http:helpamericanheroes.com.