One way to thank a vet...
There are a few photos and video to go with the blog if you visit the NY Times link.
Edit: I just found the author's short bio
"Michael Jernigan served with Easy Company, Second Battalion, Second Marine Regiment during the summer of 2004 in Mahmudiya, Zadon, and Falluja. On August 22, he was severely injured and blinded by a roadside bomb. He was medically retired from the Marine Corps in December of 2005. He lives in St. Petersburg, Fla."
October 11, 2007, 8:54 pm
Driving Blind
By Michael Jernigan
Greetings, everyone, from the Commonwealth of Virginia. I want to let everyone know that I am doing well in school so far. That college has kept me very busy. But I must declare that no academic workload can conquer Mike Jernigan. I am the new and improved version, outfitted for night operations.
All that school hasn't stopped me from enjoying my weekends either. And I recently had one that would make any car enthusiast's head spin.
I was lucky enough to attend a recent Ferrari show in Richmond, Va., with my girfriend's son, Caleb. I wanted to show him some beautiful Italian engineering. A gentleman at the show who recognized me from my appearance in the HBO film, "Alive Day Memories," approached me and thanked me for my service. We had a pleasant chat for a few minutes and then parted ways. The man's name was Luke: he sells medical surgery equipment.
I have always loved Ferraris. Not long ago, I was very close to buying a 1989 328 GTS, but erred on the side of wisdom and did not. I thought to myself, What would a blind guy do with a Ferrari? After this weekend I now know.
Toward the end of the line of cars at this show was a 360 Spider. Some of you might be asking, What the heck is that? Well, let me tell you that it is an E-ticket ride. Not to mention that it is gorgeous. Caleb fell in love with this car. I can not blame him. I am just happy that the boy has good taste.
Soon after we ran into the gentleman that I met earlier in the evening. He started to talk to us about Ferraris. I told him about how I almost became a Ferrari owner myself. As the conversation progressed he said to me, "Hey you live close to me. Why don't I take you for a ride one weekend in my F355?" I said to myself, "Self, you should take this guy up on this offer." We exchanged contact information and parted ways again. Oh, how parting is such sweet sorrow.
The next weekend he showed up at my apartment complex with his F355, and some friends, driving two 360's, a 430, a Lotus Espirit, and some good ol' American muscle wrapped in a Dodge Viper. We could hear them all pull up from my fifth floor digs. So Leslie, Caleb and I all went riding.
I will leave the drivers' names out to protect them from prosecution. We broke every speed limit everywhere we went. Caleb now knows what it is like to be shot from a cannon. We drove all over the D.C. area and had lunch.
Now for the amazing part: We went to a large, empty parking lot and these nuts let me get behind the wheel. I am not just talking about sitting. I had the pleasure of driving the F430, which is fairly new. One cool thing about this car is that it has paddle shifters on the steering column. I also got the honor of hot rodding the Viper. For a lack of better words - "Holy smokes." Those things have got some power. Even in the parking lot and I could feel the muscle. It was a great experience and I do not think I can thank these men enough.
Taking a spin in the Viper. (Photographs by Leslie Greene.)
After lunch we went to a Ferrari dealership that also sells Maseratis and Lamborghinis. I was told by a salesperson there that I could sit in a Maserati, but the Ferraris and Lamborghinis were hands off. Just after enjoying the plush leather seats of a Maserati and while admiring a rare four-seater Ferrari, a gentleman walked up and asked, Are you Mike? I told him yes, thinking I did something wrong. He said, Come with me. (This was the top salesman at the dealership. One of the guys in the group had let him know I was there. So he had been tipped off.)
We went outside and there was a 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. These cars were made in a limited production of about 350, and only about 100 are available in the U.S. The base price is about $220,000, but it would cost a person off the street a lot more. I not only sat in the car, I got to feel it inside and out.
Checking out the Lamborghini.
Just when I think it can not get any better he produces the keys and says, Let's go for a ride. This monster got up to 110 m.p.h. between traffic lights. This day could not have been any better. Not only did I experience all this automotive muscle and meet a lot of good people, I shared it all with two of the most important people in my life - Caleb and the most beautiful girl on the face of the planet, Leslie.
Some of this madness was captured on video, which you can see here.
As you can see there is no boring life for me. I had the time of my life. I again would to thank these gentlemen. It is nice to know that there are people out there that will go above and beyond to make sure our injured veterans enjoy their life.
Keep reading: I have one more post to go.
Edit: I just found the author's short bio
"Michael Jernigan served with Easy Company, Second Battalion, Second Marine Regiment during the summer of 2004 in Mahmudiya, Zadon, and Falluja. On August 22, he was severely injured and blinded by a roadside bomb. He was medically retired from the Marine Corps in December of 2005. He lives in St. Petersburg, Fla."
October 11, 2007, 8:54 pm
Driving Blind
By Michael Jernigan
Greetings, everyone, from the Commonwealth of Virginia. I want to let everyone know that I am doing well in school so far. That college has kept me very busy. But I must declare that no academic workload can conquer Mike Jernigan. I am the new and improved version, outfitted for night operations.
All that school hasn't stopped me from enjoying my weekends either. And I recently had one that would make any car enthusiast's head spin.
I was lucky enough to attend a recent Ferrari show in Richmond, Va., with my girfriend's son, Caleb. I wanted to show him some beautiful Italian engineering. A gentleman at the show who recognized me from my appearance in the HBO film, "Alive Day Memories," approached me and thanked me for my service. We had a pleasant chat for a few minutes and then parted ways. The man's name was Luke: he sells medical surgery equipment.
I have always loved Ferraris. Not long ago, I was very close to buying a 1989 328 GTS, but erred on the side of wisdom and did not. I thought to myself, What would a blind guy do with a Ferrari? After this weekend I now know.
Toward the end of the line of cars at this show was a 360 Spider. Some of you might be asking, What the heck is that? Well, let me tell you that it is an E-ticket ride. Not to mention that it is gorgeous. Caleb fell in love with this car. I can not blame him. I am just happy that the boy has good taste.
Soon after we ran into the gentleman that I met earlier in the evening. He started to talk to us about Ferraris. I told him about how I almost became a Ferrari owner myself. As the conversation progressed he said to me, "Hey you live close to me. Why don't I take you for a ride one weekend in my F355?" I said to myself, "Self, you should take this guy up on this offer." We exchanged contact information and parted ways again. Oh, how parting is such sweet sorrow.
The next weekend he showed up at my apartment complex with his F355, and some friends, driving two 360's, a 430, a Lotus Espirit, and some good ol' American muscle wrapped in a Dodge Viper. We could hear them all pull up from my fifth floor digs. So Leslie, Caleb and I all went riding.
I will leave the drivers' names out to protect them from prosecution. We broke every speed limit everywhere we went. Caleb now knows what it is like to be shot from a cannon. We drove all over the D.C. area and had lunch.
Now for the amazing part: We went to a large, empty parking lot and these nuts let me get behind the wheel. I am not just talking about sitting. I had the pleasure of driving the F430, which is fairly new. One cool thing about this car is that it has paddle shifters on the steering column. I also got the honor of hot rodding the Viper. For a lack of better words - "Holy smokes." Those things have got some power. Even in the parking lot and I could feel the muscle. It was a great experience and I do not think I can thank these men enough.
Taking a spin in the Viper. (Photographs by Leslie Greene.)
After lunch we went to a Ferrari dealership that also sells Maseratis and Lamborghinis. I was told by a salesperson there that I could sit in a Maserati, but the Ferraris and Lamborghinis were hands off. Just after enjoying the plush leather seats of a Maserati and while admiring a rare four-seater Ferrari, a gentleman walked up and asked, Are you Mike? I told him yes, thinking I did something wrong. He said, Come with me. (This was the top salesman at the dealership. One of the guys in the group had let him know I was there. So he had been tipped off.)
We went outside and there was a 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. These cars were made in a limited production of about 350, and only about 100 are available in the U.S. The base price is about $220,000, but it would cost a person off the street a lot more. I not only sat in the car, I got to feel it inside and out.
Checking out the Lamborghini.
Just when I think it can not get any better he produces the keys and says, Let's go for a ride. This monster got up to 110 m.p.h. between traffic lights. This day could not have been any better. Not only did I experience all this automotive muscle and meet a lot of good people, I shared it all with two of the most important people in my life - Caleb and the most beautiful girl on the face of the planet, Leslie.
Some of this madness was captured on video, which you can see here.
As you can see there is no boring life for me. I had the time of my life. I again would to thank these gentlemen. It is nice to know that there are people out there that will go above and beyond to make sure our injured veterans enjoy their life.
Keep reading: I have one more post to go.
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Very strange to me that this got no responses....I thought it was a great way to thank a wounded vet. 0 -
I just now read it.
Too bad all of our wounded Vets can't have a similar experience.
Doug0 -
chokes me up thinking there are still decent people out there that will take time from their busy lives to show a bit oc appreciation.
thanks to ALL that thank a vet in any way0 -
quote:Originally posted by oldemagics
chokes me up thinking there are still decent people out there that will take time from their busy lives to show a bit oc appreciation.
thanks to ALL that thank a vet in any way
Same here!0 -
quote:oldemagics Posted - 10/13/2007 : 12:24:58 AM
chokes me up thinking there are still decent people out there that will take time from their busy lives to show a bit oc appreciation.
thanks to ALL that thank a vet in any way
+10
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