A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*lakeroadster* · 02-25-2011, 11:06 AM

A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife: 1959 Apache Pickup.

Please watch this video:

http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=183372

The Friends of the 133rd will be holding an auction of April 2 at the Elks Lodge in Laramie. They are in need of auction items. Anyone wishing to help is asked to contact them via e-mail at friendsofthe133rd@hotmail.com.

You can also make cash donations at any Bank of the West. Two accounts have been set up. They are "Friends of the 133rd" and the "Bruce Hays Memorial."

LARAMIE WYOMING- It sits in a garage at a vocational technical school in Laramie, still in pieces. The rust has been peeled away from the body of the 1959 Chevrolet Apache pickup truck. Black primer masks the years. The original engine sits off to the side. No one knows if it will ever run again.

It is an unfinished gift.

"Part of Bruce is in that truck," Major Dean Hunhoff of the Wyoming Army National Guard said. "He always saw things through to the finish."

Bruce Hays bought the old pickup truck in 2008 as an anniversary gift for his wife, Terry. He planned to work with her to restore it.

In August 2008, Hays, a captain in the Wyoming Army National Guard, was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Before leaving, he paid a local mechanic $17,000 to restore the truck for his wife. It was to be a surprise for her when Hays returned.

Capt. Hays was serving as a combat advisor to Afghan security forces in the Hindu Kush Mountains. He was working with them build wells in villages. At 10,000 feet in elevation, roads in the area are primitive. It is an area where the Taliban is active.

"The enemy knew he was coming, but he had to go anyway and there was only one road to get there," Lt. Colonel Raymond Kent of the Wyoming Army National Guard said.

On the morning of Sept. 17, on that one road he had to take, Hays and three other American soldiers died when a roadside bomb exploded.

The three soldiers who died with Hays were Sgt. Joshua W. Harris of Romeoville, Ill, 1st Lt. Mohsin Naqui of Newburgh, NY and Staff Sgt. Jason A Vasquez of Chicago, Ill.

A memorial service was held for the four soldiers at their forward operating base in Afghanistan.

"Everything was pretty surreal," Kent said. "When you're doing a last call and you have the 21 gun salute go off. It just hits you that this is it. Bruce is really gone."

Hays left behind his wife, Terry, and two daughters, Bethany and Eleanor.

Back to that unfinished truck.

"It is Bruce's last wish," Kent said.

Hays' wish to give it as a gift vanished when the mechanic and money vanished without fixing the truck.

"Then after he was killed, he took the money and ran. It was very difficult," Hunhoff said.

This past January, friends decided the finish the job Hays had started. They hauled the truck to the garage at the vocational technical school in Laramie. Volunteers have worked to restore the body of the truck. The work is being slowed by a lack of money to buy the parts needed to finish the job.

A fundraising effort has begun to restore the truck so it can be given to the family.

The Friends of the 133rd will be holding an auction of April 2 at the Elks Lodge in Laramie. They are in need of auction items. Anyone wishing to help is asked to contact them via e-mail at friendsofthe133rd@hotmail.com.

You can also make cash donations at any Bank of the West. Two accounts have been set up. They are "Friends of the 133rd" and the "Bruce Hays Memorial."

The importance of the truck to the family can't be overstated.

"I believe it probably means a lot more to the family now than it ever did," Stacy Morton, who is coordinating fundraising efforts for the Friends of the 133rd, said.

"All they have of their dad right now is a picture," Kent said. "They need something they can put their hands on and they need to know how much people love their dad."

(KUSA-TV © 2011 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

no moa · 02-25-2011, 11:33 AM

I hope they find that mechanic and he gets his, that POS

entourageguy · 02-25-2011, 11:35 AM

I think they have some unfinished business with the mechanic....

kSStamp0182 · 02-25-2011, 11:41 AM

it would be cool if they set up a list of parts still needed to finish it. im sure people all across the boards would be willing to send things.

timjt · 02-25-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kSStamp0182

it would be cool if they set up a list of parts still needed to finish it. im sure people all across the boards would be willing to send things.

x2 skip the donations for the fundraiser and get donated parts!

**Clyde65** · 02-25-2011, 12:01 PM

it would be very cool for a vendor to set up something so we could contribute and the vendor would supply the parts, new parts. we could also supply parts that are not readily available.

61_FL_Apache · 02-25-2011, 12:05 PM

I'd love to help some way.

*lakeroadster* · 02-25-2011, 12:09 PM

I sent an email to friendsofthe133rd@hotmail.com asking if they could have someone join the forum and provide a list of needed parts. Hopefully we will hear from them.

Jonboy · 02-25-2011, 12:09 PM

I just sent an email to see if we can get a list of stuff that they need. I figure it's worth a shot, anyhow.

Mods, can we make this a sticky?
edit: Lakeroadster, I guess we think alike. Hopefully they will get swamped with help.

**Corts60** · 02-25-2011, 12:12 PM

That is terrible. I hope that mechanic goes to jail for a long time.

*lakeroadster* · 02-25-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonboy

I just sent an email to see if we can get a list of stuff that they need. I figure it's worth a shot, anyhow.

Mods, can we make this a sticky?
edit: Lakeroadster, I guess we think alike. Hopefully they will get swamped with help.

Exactly!

kSStamp0182 · 02-25-2011, 12:17 PM

awesome guys. hopefully we will be able to help them out.

Indian113 · 02-25-2011, 12:38 PM

Ya know I couldn't sleep if I did something like that. That mechanic is a jerk,hope he gets caught.

snaus32 · 02-25-2011, 12:46 PM

I say they find this mechanich and dump is ass in afganistan on the same road and let him suffer the same fate as our fallen soldiers!!!!

OrrieG · 02-25-2011, 01:38 PM

What the mechanic did is morally wrong and criminal theft. As a criminal his name should be publicly listed so he can be found and brought to justice. Gitmo would be my prision recommendation.

**pryorstemmed** · 02-25-2011, 02:19 PM

I thank the Good Lord for our men and women in the military and hope that this truck gets a full restore as deserved. My heart and prayers go out to all those who have died serving our country. The mechanic who skipped out will get his in the hereafter. Is the site listed taking donations?

Jonboy · 02-25-2011, 03:13 PM

I think they are. You could email them also.
Posted via Mobile Device

*lakeroadster* · 02-25-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pryorstemmed

Is the site listed taking donations?

----

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

The Friends of the 133rd will be holding an auction of April 2 at the Elks Lodge in Laramie. They are in need of auction items. Anyone wishing to help is asked to contact them via e-mail at friendsofthe133rd@hotmail.com.

You can also make cash donations at any Bank of the West. Two accounts have been set up. They are "Friends of the 133rd" and the "Bruce Hays Memorial."

OrrieG · 02-25-2011, 03:49 PM

I just received an email from a representative of the trust for Capt. Hays.

The mechanic was caught and is serving jail time.

She also indicated that through donations there is enough to finish the truck and it appears there will be money left over that will be donated to an organization helping wounded vets.

ejn74 · 02-25-2011, 04:01 PM

That is wonderful that they will be able to do this for the family and that the mechanic was caught and will be brought to justice!

sgtusmc · 02-25-2011, 05:53 PM

I got a little misty-eyed watching that video. I'm happy they have the funds to complete his/their truck. I'm even happier that rat bastid was caught, and is in jail! Hope the other inmates find out why he's there.

Kabwe · 02-25-2011, 06:55 PM

I hope the other inmates make him their girlfriend.lol I can't stand a thief, but this guy is the worst kind.

Fat Mike · 02-25-2011, 08:07 PM

Let me no what prision he's in and I can help out real FAST!! I have lots of extra parts I could donate.

drivea55 · 02-25-2011, 11:30 PM

I am also willing to donate some parts...

*$^#$%%&(^&* mechanic!

lets do this!!!

55metalmonkey · 02-26-2011, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabwe

i hope the other inmates make him their girlfriend.lol i can't stand a thief, but this guy is the worst kind.

x2

02-25-2011, 11:06 AM	#1
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife: 1959 Apache Pickup. Please watch this video: http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=183372 The Friends of the 133rd will be holding an auction of April 2 at the Elks Lodge in Laramie. They are in need of auction items. Anyone wishing to help is asked to contact them via e-mail at friendsofthe133rd@hotmail.com. You can also make cash donations at any Bank of the West. Two accounts have been set up. They are "Friends of the 133rd" and the "Bruce Hays Memorial." LARAMIE WYOMING- It sits in a garage at a vocational technical school in Laramie, still in pieces. The rust has been peeled away from the body of the 1959 Chevrolet Apache pickup truck. Black primer masks the years. The original engine sits off to the side. No one knows if it will ever run again. It is an unfinished gift. "Part of Bruce is in that truck," Major Dean Hunhoff of the Wyoming Army National Guard said. "He always saw things through to the finish." Bruce Hays bought the old pickup truck in 2008 as an anniversary gift for his wife, Terry. He planned to work with her to restore it. In August 2008, Hays, a captain in the Wyoming Army National Guard, was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Before leaving, he paid a local mechanic $17,000 to restore the truck for his wife. It was to be a surprise for her when Hays returned. Capt. Hays was serving as a combat advisor to Afghan security forces in the Hindu Kush Mountains. He was working with them build wells in villages. At 10,000 feet in elevation, roads in the area are primitive. It is an area where the Taliban is active. "The enemy knew he was coming, but he had to go anyway and there was only one road to get there," Lt. Colonel Raymond Kent of the Wyoming Army National Guard said. On the morning of Sept. 17, on that one road he had to take, Hays and three other American soldiers died when a roadside bomb exploded. The three soldiers who died with Hays were Sgt. Joshua W. Harris of Romeoville, Ill, 1st Lt. Mohsin Naqui of Newburgh, NY and Staff Sgt. Jason A Vasquez of Chicago, Ill. A memorial service was held for the four soldiers at their forward operating base in Afghanistan. "Everything was pretty surreal," Kent said. "When you're doing a last call and you have the 21 gun salute go off. It just hits you that this is it. Bruce is really gone." Hays left behind his wife, Terry, and two daughters, Bethany and Eleanor. Back to that unfinished truck. "It is Bruce's last wish," Kent said. Hays' wish to give it as a gift vanished when the mechanic and money vanished without fixing the truck. "Then after he was killed, he took the money and ran. It was very difficult," Hunhoff said. This past January, friends decided the finish the job Hays had started. They hauled the truck to the garage at the vocational technical school in Laramie. Volunteers have worked to restore the body of the truck. The work is being slowed by a lack of money to buy the parts needed to finish the job. A fundraising effort has begun to restore the truck so it can be given to the family. The Friends of the 133rd will be holding an auction of April 2 at the Elks Lodge in Laramie. They are in need of auction items. Anyone wishing to help is asked to contact them via e-mail at friendsofthe133rd@hotmail.com. You can also make cash donations at any Bank of the West. Two accounts have been set up. They are "Friends of the 133rd" and the "Bruce Hays Memorial." The importance of the truck to the family can't be overstated. "I believe it probably means a lot more to the family now than it ever did," Stacy Morton, who is coordinating fundraising efforts for the Friends of the 133rd, said. "All they have of their dad right now is a picture," Kent said. "They need something they can put their hands on and they need to know how much people love their dad." (KUSA-TV © 2011 Multimedia Holdings Corporation) Last edited by lakeroadster; 02-25-2011 at 11:15 AM.

02-25-2011, 11:33 AM	#2
no moa Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: maine Posts: 2,315	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I hope they find that mechanic and he gets his, that POS __________________ 1972 C10 Deluxe.Shortbed. 402/400. A/C, white interior, needs complete restore. Project Red, white and blue. Used to be a Longbed apperently. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=451950 1971 c10 step 250 3 OTT 1969 c30 TOW-MATER. 307 4 speed, holmes 440 body. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=451082 2006 CTS-V LS2 6spd.

02-25-2011, 11:35 AM	#3
entourageguy Yellow truck club Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Barrie Ontario Posts: 2,080	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I think they have some unfinished business with the mechanic.... __________________ ................................................................ Brian ...... My hub garage address http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/59apache I gue$$ everything has it'$ price ALL GONE NOW *59 Chev Apache* *PRAISE THE LOWERED* 350 700r lokar shifter power MII front end, shockwaves tilt, 4 wheel discs 4-link and bags 10 bolt limited

02-25-2011, 11:41 AM	#4
kSStamp0182 LSX addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 262	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup it would be cool if they set up a list of parts still needed to finish it. im sure people all across the boards would be willing to send things. __________________ -1982 C10 SWB GMC Sierra [undergoing 6.0/4L80E swap with mild restoration]

02-25-2011, 12:01 PM	#6
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,546	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup it would be very cool for a vendor to set up something so we could contribute and the vendor would supply the parts, new parts. we could also supply parts that are not readily available. __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

02-25-2011, 12:05 PM	#7
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,067	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I'd love to help some way. __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

02-25-2011, 12:09 PM	#8
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I sent an email to friendsofthe133rd@hotmail.com asking if they could have someone join the forum and provide a list of needed parts. Hopefully we will hear from them.

02-25-2011, 12:09 PM	#9
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I just sent an email to see if we can get a list of stuff that they need. I figure it's worth a shot, anyhow. Mods, can we make this a sticky? edit: Lakeroadster, I guess we think alike. Hopefully they will get swamped with help. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241 Last edited by Jonboy; 02-25-2011 at 12:10 PM.

02-25-2011, 12:12 PM	#10
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup That is terrible. I hope that mechanic goes to jail for a long time. __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

02-25-2011, 12:17 PM	#12
kSStamp0182 LSX addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 262	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup awesome guys. hopefully we will be able to help them out. __________________ -1982 C10 SWB GMC Sierra [undergoing 6.0/4L80E swap with mild restoration]

02-25-2011, 12:38 PM	#13
Indian113 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Monroe,Iowa Posts: 4,370	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup Ya know I couldn't sleep if I did something like that. That mechanic is a jerk,hope he gets caught.

02-25-2011, 12:46 PM	#14
snaus32 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mcgraw, ny Posts: 204	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I say they find this mechanich and dump is ass in afganistan on the same road and let him suffer the same fate as our fallen soldiers!!!!

02-25-2011, 01:38 PM	#15
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup What the mechanic did is morally wrong and criminal theft. As a criminal his name should be publicly listed so he can be found and brought to justice. Gitmo would be my prision recommendation. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

02-25-2011, 02:19 PM	#16
pryorstemmed 4wd Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WY/MT/ND Posts: 576	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I thank the Good Lord for our men and women in the military and hope that this truck gets a full restore as deserved. My heart and prayers go out to all those who have died serving our country. The mechanic who skipped out will get his in the hereafter. Is the site listed taking donations? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super SWB K10 Original Paint 350/350 AC (Added) Tach/Tilt 1972 Cheyenne Super SWB K10-Buckets/Tach/Tilt/Wood Bed/Manual Throttle/Marker Lamps 1972 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper K20 AC/Tilt/Aux Tank/Aux Battery/Wood Bed 1970 Olds 442 W-30 M-21 4-speed 1978 Ford F250 4x4 Ranger-Explorer-Camper Special Marti Report: 1 of 1 1986 K30 Silverado Crew Cab 502/TH400 2002 Silverado LT 2500 Duramax Long bed Crew Cab 4x4 107K original miles 2022 RAM Bighorn 1500 Waldoch edition ...Daily Driver Last edited by pryorstemmed; 02-25-2011 at 02:20 PM. Reason: wrong guy

02-25-2011, 03:13 PM	#17
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I think they are. You could email them also. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241



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02-25-2011, 03:49 PM	#19
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I just received an email from a representative of the trust for Capt. Hays. The mechanic was caught and is serving jail time. She also indicated that through donations there is enough to finish the truck and it appears there will be money left over that will be donated to an organization helping wounded vets. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

02-25-2011, 04:01 PM	#20
ejn74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southwest Iowa Posts: 106	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup That is wonderful that they will be able to do this for the family and that the mechanic was caught and will be brought to justice!

02-25-2011, 05:53 PM	#21
sgtusmc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 958	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I got a little misty-eyed watching that video. I'm happy they have the funds to complete his/their truck. I'm even happier that rat bastid was caught, and is in jail! Hope the other inmates find out why he's there. __________________ My build, 53 GMC / S10 swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=305723 My build, 59 Chevy / 88 fullsize swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=sgtusmc U.S. Marines - Certified Counselors to the 72 Virgins Dating Club.

02-25-2011, 06:55 PM	#22
Kabwe Certified Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inglewood, California Posts: 3,118	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I hope the other inmates make him their girlfriend.lol I can't stand a thief, but this guy is the worst kind. Last edited by Kabwe; 02-25-2011 at 06:56 PM.

02-25-2011, 08:07 PM	#23
Fat Mike Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 540	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup Let me no what prision he's in and I can help out real FAST!! I have lots of extra parts I could donate. __________________ FAT MIKE My 59 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=400201 My 47 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=386848

02-25-2011, 11:30 PM	#24
drivea55 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Monson,MA Posts: 503	Re: A fallen soldier and his unfinished gift to his wife a 1959 Apache Pickup I am also willing to donate some parts... $^#$%%&(^& mechanic! lets do this!!! __________________ current project; 1950 GMC "Junk Yard Dawg" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635960 ___________________________________________ SOLD to "ONEBADFIVEFIVE" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=436406

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