Set of Wheels: 1942 World War II Army Jeep

Veterans Day Ceremonies in Ripon on Wednesday were highlighted with a 1942 Willys U.S. Army Jeep that

Merchant standing next to his 1942 World War II Army Jeep.

drove up to the rear of the crowd in downtown Ripon.

Retired Ripon Police Lieutenant Steve “Sparky” Merchant purchased the historic 60-year-old Army vehicle in memory of his dad who was a military policeman -- known to many vets as the MP on patrol.

Merchant said his jeep was the answer a dream when he sold a family car and his pickup truck to raise the needed funds to make the Jeep his own. He said his dad served in the Korean Conflict and later became the general manager of Angel’s Market in Modesto for nearly years.

When the Jeep pulled up to the Veterans Day Celebration it had a 50 caliber machine gun on a gun mount behind the driver. Retired police detective Jim West was quick to jump into the position of an Army sergeant at the side of the vehicle.

Merchant is planning to add Military Police insignia across the front of the Jeep along with red light that was general equipment on the military police vehicles. He said the Jeep will be used in Ripon parades down Main Street along with other civic celebrations in town. It will also be highlighted in the annual Ripon Emergency Vehicle Shows held in early October at the Community Center on Fourth Street.

He added that his wife has been surprised at how happy the Jeep has made her husband with all their grandchildren totally excited about climbing all over the Jeep when they come to visit.

Merchant served the Ripon community for nearly 30 years wearing a badge in an effort to keep the community safe. He further noted that his Jeep has drawn its share of attention from other motorists who have their own coveted stories of Jeeps of their own. He also noted that his Jeep produced by Willys was copied by the Ford Motor Company when they were unable to keep up with the required production demands in the war effort.