FORT IRWIN, Calif.—The Wounded Warriors Family Support’s High Five Tour made a brief stop at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., July 12.

The High Five Tour was spearheaded by John Folsom, a retired Marine colonel. Folsom, driving a custom-painted Shelby Mustang Cobra, has logged thousands of miles and given countless high-fives.

“As a veteran of multiple combat deployments as a Marine, I wanted to personally thank and ‘high five’ as many of my fellow Americans as I can during my three-week 10,000-mile tour of our great country,” Folsom said.

Folsom started his trip in Nebraska and headed east and hit major metropolitan cities such as Chicago, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. Folsom said the object of giving high fives is to personally thank everyday people for their continued support.

“We want to thank Americans for supporting its military Families. The outpouring support and devotion to our military over the past seven years is nothing but outstanding,” he said. “We want to make Americans aware that Wounded Warriors Family Support is ready to support and serve our military Families.”

The Wounded Warriors Family Support is a charity organization whose aim is to provide support to families of service members who have been killed or injured. The organization provides support financially and is also able to send Families to retreats and resorts to help heal some of the emotional and psychological scars.

During Folsom’s stop at the NTC, he was greeted by Command Sgt. Maj. Martin Wilcox, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment regimental command sergeant major. Wilcox introduced Folsom to a few Soldiers who were given high fives. Folsom thanked the Blackhorse Troopers for their service as well as their Families’ sacrifices.

The soldiers then signed Folsom’s car, which is adorned with signatures from people around the country. After the trip, the car will be auctioned and the proceeds will go to service members’ families in need of support.

The car has helped Folsom garner attention to his cause. Sgt. Aaron Hernandez, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th ACR, said it was the car that originally caught his attention.

“I’m not much of a Ford guy,” he said. “But I always wanted to drive a Shelby.”

Hernandez, a native of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., added that he appreciated Folsom’s efforts.

“It’s a good morale booster to see someone campaigning for the wounded warriors,” Hernandez said.

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