It makes me proud to be an American.---UPDATE! :-)
I went over to a friends garage the other night, and my buddy who works on cars had a 69' Camaro in that is getting completely restored. I asked him whose it was, and he said, "Oh some soldier that's in his third tour left it here when we were supposed to drop an engine in it. His third deployment came kind of fast, and he asked if he could store it here...Well, it just wouldn't sit right with us to charge him money, and it's too nice a car to sit with rust holes, so me and a couple of other guys are restoring it for him. I knew a guy that had the parts, and Joe does excellent interior work so hell, we got 4 more months...not much trouble, really."
These guys restore classic cars for shows regularly, and make decent money doing it. Many of the guys helping have full time jobs, and are working on it in the evenings after work. They know who the guy is, but aren't "friends" with him. The Soldier's wife wanted to have it done for him while he was gone, but realisticly could not afford it. They're involving her on alot of the decisions.
It's people like that Soldier Serving, and the people that are supporting him that gives me more faith in this country than all of congress, and every monument in D.C.
That's what our country is built on.
Ben
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Update: They gave him his car this weekend. They staged a fake car show, and he walked around for a while looking at cars, but payed special attention to the black SS. The announcer got on the loudspeaker, thanked everybody for showing up, and then payed a special tribute to the veterans in the crowd. He asked all of the veterans to please raise their hands, and he thanked them for their service. Then somebody brought him up a note, and he said, "There's a note here that one of our servicemen just got home from his third tour. Would you please raise your hand? I would like to personally thank you for your service. Do you collect cars?" The soldier responded that he did, and that he had a 69ss. He said, "Well that's a 69SS right next to you. Does it look like that?" The soldier responded that it looked nothing at all like that, and that he could only hope that someday it might. Then the announcer went over the history of the car, from the original owner to the soldier buying it, and then going overseas, and a group of very appreciative Americans restoring it for him. By the time he was done talking the Soldier was in tears.[^]
photos: http://tinyurl.com/2fyfy4
These guys restore classic cars for shows regularly, and make decent money doing it. Many of the guys helping have full time jobs, and are working on it in the evenings after work. They know who the guy is, but aren't "friends" with him. The Soldier's wife wanted to have it done for him while he was gone, but realisticly could not afford it. They're involving her on alot of the decisions.
It's people like that Soldier Serving, and the people that are supporting him that gives me more faith in this country than all of congress, and every monument in D.C.
That's what our country is built on.
Ben
_____________________________________________________________________
Update: They gave him his car this weekend. They staged a fake car show, and he walked around for a while looking at cars, but payed special attention to the black SS. The announcer got on the loudspeaker, thanked everybody for showing up, and then payed a special tribute to the veterans in the crowd. He asked all of the veterans to please raise their hands, and he thanked them for their service. Then somebody brought him up a note, and he said, "There's a note here that one of our servicemen just got home from his third tour. Would you please raise your hand? I would like to personally thank you for your service. Do you collect cars?" The soldier responded that he did, and that he had a 69ss. He said, "Well that's a 69SS right next to you. Does it look like that?" The soldier responded that it looked nothing at all like that, and that he could only hope that someday it might. Then the announcer went over the history of the car, from the original owner to the soldier buying it, and then going overseas, and a group of very appreciative Americans restoring it for him. By the time he was done talking the Soldier was in tears.[^]
photos: http://tinyurl.com/2fyfy4
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Awesome!!! 0 -
quote:It's people like that Soldier Serving, and the people that are supporting him that gives me more faith in this country than all of congress, and every monument in D.C.
That's what our country is built on.
amen.0 -
[8D]
This is the kind of stuff we should be hearing in the evening news...0 -
[8D][8D][8D]
God Bless America!0 -
It is refreshing to see or hear a story like this. It gives me faith in my fellow man that we all don't think it's a "ME" world....and also God bless the soldier that seems to be doing more than his share...Bull 0 -
That is great. I would pay to see the look on his face when he returns and finds his car looking like new.[:)]
I just heard that a young Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice will be flying in to our local airport tomorrow.
We were asked if we could provide an escort to the funeral home that is 40 miles away. I work at a nearby Army base, but we jumped at the chance to participate, as did the local Police, Sherriff's department, and State Troopers. I am even going to call the local chapter of the Patriot Guard to see if they can provide an escort too.
Personally I could think of no greater honor than being asked to escort this young Devil Dog to his final resting place.
Trinity +++0 -
quote:Originally posted by ECC
[8D]
This is the kind of stuff we should be hearing in the evening news...
I disagree if only because that sort of behavior should be so commonplace as to not be newsworthy.
God bless those folks and here's hoping for a safe return home for that soldier.0 -
That is neat.[:D] 0 -
Great story Ben. Thanks. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ba Sardo
quote:Originally posted by ECC
[8D]
This is the kind of stuff we should be hearing in the evening news...
I disagree if only because that sort of behavior should be so commonplace as to not be newsworthy.
God bless those folks and here's hoping for a safe return home for that soldier.
Unfourtunatly it's not commonplace enough anymore to be considered commonplace.0 -
We should all be doing this kind of thing.
God bless him.
Doug0 -
That story is just absolutely awesome. I wish there is someway I could be there to help, let alone see the look on his face when he comes home. Good Job
Colin0 -
Wow, that is so cool!! WTG guys!! 0 -
Wonderful Americans! God Bless! 0 -
Fantastic! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ba Sardo
quote:Originally posted by ECC
[8D]
This is the kind of stuff we should be hearing in the evening news...
I disagree if only because that sort of behavior should be so commonplace as to not be newsworthy. (emphasis added)
God bless those folks and here's hoping for a safe return home for that soldier.
X-ring !!!0 -
Class act, alot more is in line for the men that are returning from hell. 0 -
Very humbling, ben.
You're restoring more than a classic car.
You're restoring a little faith in mankind, here.
Salute.0 -
quote:
Personally I could think of no greater honor than being asked to escort this young Devil Dog to his final resting place.
How about having a beer with him at the VFW instead?
Damn nice of those bodymen to restore that car.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Colonel Plink
Very humbling, ben.
You're restoring more than a classic car.
You're restoring a little faith in mankind, here.
Salute.
It's not me Colonel. I'm not even allowed to work on lawn mowers anymore.
Ben0 -
Hell yeah, that's what it all about. Good post. Wish more people were like that. 0 -
The young men over there deserve all the support we can give them since more than half of our country will not. Way to go guys!!! 0 -
That is very special. God bless this serviceman, his family, and the ones that performed this very special service for him.
Thanks for posting this update!0
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