Veteran Ken Chenot speaks about his experience with the Jeep at the 2013 Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival luncheon May 29 at VA Butler Healthcare. Veterans from World War II and the Korean War told their stories at luncheons in previous years.

The Jeep was created to help the United State in World War II, and thousands of soldiers encountered Jeeps during their time of service dating back to the 1940s.

Ever since the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival’s inaugural year in 2011, a special luncheon has kicked-off the event with Jeep stories told by Butler County’s veterans.

On May 29, Slippery Rock University and VA Butler Healthcare highlighted eight Vietnam War veterans for their Jeep memories. In previous years, World War II and Korean War veterans were honored.

Some of the tales told by the veterans included how the Jeep survived an enemy attack, learning how to drive a stick shift for the first time in a Jeep, off-road driving experiences and using a Jeep to visit an injured comrade.

These veterans and their stories where involved in the event:

• Ken Chenot, USMC, 1964-1967

• John Draper, Army, 1974-1977

• Harold Raymond Faust, Army, 1968-1969

• Jim Harff, Army, 1966-1969

• Bill Heilman, USMC, 1967-1973

• Joseph J. Jenkins, Army Air Force, 1945-1948

• John W. Martin, Army, 1967-1970

• Jeffrey S. Smith, Army, 1967-1968.