Our 1957 Chevy Task Force 3200 began as a father and son project in 2012. I’d had a ’57 Chevy Belair coupe 40 years ago and really liked the design and look. We decided on a truck and found this one on eBay sitting in a field on a North Carolina goat farm. We drove up from Florida and brought it home, discussing how we’d transform it during the trip. The project began but slowed due to school activities and deployments to Iraq (OIF) and Afghanistan (OEF). While deployed, I gained a great deal of inspiration to create a design that represented both countries and to honor our fallen military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I wanted combat veterans, and especially wounded warriors, who served to sign it as a way to honor those who did not come home. I returned in August 2013 and had a vision in mind. We had a two-car garage that was reduced to 1 during the build, but the entire truck and its many parts were still scattered throughout the interior of the house in various stages of completion. I was glad my son and daughter were gone and no longer needed their bedrooms. We had cataloged all the old parts, and they too, were stored wherever we could find room. Finally, in 2014, it all began to come together and take shape. The paint design was completed, parts were ordered, and the reconstruction began.

The satisfaction of doing a frame-off restoration allows you to oversee every aspect of the build and occasionally gets you caught up in the “while I’m at it” syndrome. This proved to be directly proportional and had a sometimes-shocking effect on the cost. Nonetheless, the build went as envisioned and with help from a select group of friends, became what is now a rolling tribute to our nation’s military fallen heroes. Most important is that it is dedicated to all their families. In 2019, the Remembering Our Heroes (ROH), the ’57 will tour to more than 25 military installations gathering signatures from those OEF and OIF veterans who are fortunate to view it. It will be shown to the American public during the July 4th Independence Day parade in Washington, DC. Our vision for its future is in a museum so that all American citizens and military fallen hero family members will have the opportunity to appreciate what it truly represents.

A Special Salute Remembering Our Heroes Tour, A Rolling Tribute to our Nation’s Fallen Heroes Tour begins in Florida heading north visiting 18 States including the War College in Carlisle, 2 major car show events, 4th of July Parade in Washington, D.C. & Annapolis, MD, Fort Drum, NY, Syracuse, Post 222 in Niagara Falls then onto PA arriving at the American Legion Post 617 in South Williamsport on July 23rd. Wounded Warriors and Combat Veterans will be able to sign the Truck.

When: Tuesday, July 23rd at 4:00 p.m.
Where: American Legion Post 617, 901 S. Market Street, South Williamsport.

The Post will provide light snacks. Open to the public.