Got two of those toppers from 32Sedan and always fly the POW*MIA flag proudly. Grandpa, dad and cousin all vets. Never had to serve myself, but definately proud of those who do.
I thank your dad and all military personal everyday . My daily driver and hot rod both have a " MY SON IS IN THE US ARMY" sticker. Land of the free because of the brave.
A friend of mine that vinyls race cars made the patch out of 5 layers of vinyls. HE said it was cool for him because it was like tattoo'n a car.
Dad told me about his FIRST day in Nam. They had to "borrow" a boat because theirs wasn't completed yet, it was being fitted with the 50 cals. Dad was an engine man, his boat had twin Rolls Royce engines. SO while mom is at home with a baby (me) and only 17, dad is going down the river with a bank on each side just COVERED in jungle. They get to a T in the river and go left. He said about 2 miles down "It sounded like someone threw HUNDREDS of ball bearings at the boat" They were getting sprayed from one side of the river. Dad said he emptied a 50 cal and was completely freaked out, the they had to shake him and get him to lower the barrel on the 50 because it couldn't be loaded with his young ass holding on to the gun for deal life and the barrel pointed to the sky. They get him reloaded and he emptied that. He said that rounds were bouncing off of the shield you stand behind on the gun and he could feel the heat of rounds zipping by his head. They get turned around and HAUL ASS down the river and go past the T.....The other side gets shot up. He said there was not ONE piece of glass in the boat that wasn't shot out and the wheel house looked like swiss cheese. And this was his FIRST day in country. the first pic my mother got of dad in Nam.....A boat shot all to hell. Dad said while they were getting shot all to shit all he could think was "Oh shit, I have a year of this!?!?"
All the river patrol boats were crewed by gutsy guys whether in the US Navy or the US Coast Guard. Heard many stories from these guys over the years. One friend, an USCG Engineman, was making zzZZZZZZZZs on the engine hatch when he was awakened by the gunner who screamd at him not to move. He opened his eyes and saw tracers coming over him about a foot over his chest. After that episode he didn't sleep on the hatch any more. On topic, we have several license topper "Ruptured Duck" emblems and install them on the cars we build. This as a tribute to those who served so we can play.
I saw a roadster in one of the Kar mags (CKD or OSR) a year or so ago that had "ODA 555" painted huge on the decklid. That stands for Operational Detachment Alpha 555, a Special Forces team also known as the "triple nickle". If you're unaware, besides the CIA/Delta team that was inserted two weeks after 9/11, they were the first on the ground in Afghanistan and called in airstrikes from very close to devistate Taliban/Al Qaeda positions in the Panjshir Valley early in October 2001. Anyway, I thought it was a cool tribute to some real deal knuckle dragging, door kicking, ass kicker death dealers. Heroes all. Wish I had a pic, it was cool.
awesome tribute man! this whole community serves as a great example of patriotism and support for the armed forces.
We were across the road from a PBR base in Binh Thuy, and ( VAL-4,Black Ponies ) flew alot of support for them. Seen some of the patch work on those Boats, them boys were a brave lot. Mike
I thank a vet every chance I get.Your pops and all those who fought in Nam are all my heros! They all really need to hear THANK YOU! It means so much to them to hear it said with pride.
Not on my car- how about in my car? Does that count? My tribute is taking my friend Jarod to a car show every year. Shot in the head in Iraq & survived. He's come a long way from a feeding tube & a wheelchair. For 3 days, you can't get the grin off his face. It's the least I can do.
I'm one and I see them every day at my job at the VA hospital. One thing I've learned... they don't want any sympathy, but they demand respect. I give all I can.
I second both of these. My junk isn't even all found yet, let alone built. But when it is, I'll have my brother do some airbrush work on it with some kind of tribute to my lost buddies.
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