Today we celebrate Veterans Day. A day to honor the men and women who have fought to establish and protect the freedoms we have in the United States. As RVers, we enjoy the freedom to roam this country unlike any other country in the world. As RVers, we can go where we want, when we want with all the comforts of home. Those of us that roam in the western states have millions of acres of public land on which to boondock without advance reservations, fees or excessive government regulations.
Many take these freedoms for granted, but I encourage everyone reading this to take a moment this Veterans Day to remember those that served this country, many giving their lives, as we enjoy the leisurely RV lifestyle. For me that will be remembering my grandfather, George S Helgeson, and father, Robert S Helgeson (pictured), who both served in the Army. Not only did they serve this country in uniform, but they also helped to build the RV industry into what we enjoy today. Without them my wife and I wouldn’t be enjoying the RV adventures I have been sharing via this blog.
Be sure to thank a veteran or active service member today!
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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