Well, for those of you that have corresponded with me over the last six months, I have returned home from Afghanistan.  I am the Battalion Command Sergeant Major of a Special Forces Battalion and even though we are home, six of my boys came home with a flag drapped over them.  The sixth one, we laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetary on 5 July.  Since I was in Afghanistan when my wife bought me the Vette, I did not have enough details about the car to tell youall my story, but now I do.

Five years ago, we sold my first Vette (94 Admiral Blue Coupe) so that my wife could get a BMW.  Ever since, I have told her my next corvette would be the one I have always wanted.  Well, last fall, just before I deployed to Afghanistan, we talked it over and figured out how much we could afford.  She said she would look for me and when I got home we would go buy it.  As it turns out, she found my car just three weeks after I deployed overseas.  My guidlines to her were simple, 68-72 Convertible, 4 speed, small block.  By Christmas it was in the garage.  As it turns out, the man who sold it to her, had been in Special Forces during the Vietnam war with my Father-in-law (also Special Forces).  When My wife explained how I had always wanted this car, and that I was in Special Forces deployed to Afghanistan, he discounted the price and my lovely wife drove the car home.  The car needs some work and I have already ordered a new interior from Ecklers.  The suspension will be next.  I'll keep you all posted on my progress.  Thanks for the comraderie.

As a Canadian I truly respect and Thank You and people like you that go out and fight not only for your country but for the free world. You certainly deserve to have that special car, and I hope you have alot of fun restoring it, although it looks great already.

Thanks for your service and protecting our freedom and our country.

Your Vette is beautiful, good luck with her.

Matt

Sweet ride, StreetShark!!
Thanks for you service, and courage. Sorry to hear about the loss of your "brothers". I can't imagine the devestation you've seen, but I definitely appreciate the sacrifices made.
Enjoy your 'Vette! And please, don't sell it for a Bimmer!!!

Sergeant Major,

  As another prior service member living in this great country of ours, I also know the deep sadness of losing a brother in battle. I also know the deep relief, and strange sense of guilt when you return home. I thenk you for your many years of service, as a CSM is no rank to disrespect, and not easily earned. Every soldier knows that the CSM runs the show, and the role that the brass fits into. I am sorry for the loss of your men, but we all spoke the same words when we were young, with our right hands up to God.

 I am thankful you made it home to your family, and to your "new" vette.

 Now go have some fun in her, you've earned it.

Alan

Just a private citizen now

Thanks for the comments.  I have always felt like I was just doing what God intended for me to do.  I love my work and could only imagine one other job, "CORVETTE RESTORER".

Today I began disassembly on the interior.  The seat belts were rotten and the bolts were froze, took some time to get them out.  I started removing the old glue from the previous carpet.  The interior will be a lot of work, I'll post a picture of the before and after when I get'r'done.

Hey Sergeant Major,

       As one vet to another from the current War on Terrorism, a well deserved welcome home!! That vette is one sweet ride!! The story of my vette is similar except my wife only knows the steering wheel and the 2 pedals below the dashboard, so I went shopping right after I came home.

    If you're ever up in the Garden State, give me a yell and I'll put the beer on ice! And steaks on the grill. I served with the 101st in Iraq for the better part of a year and as Gribble123 mentioned, I know what it's like to lose a brother...but, I know you know this and it goes without saying, don't forget how many soldiers came home in one piece due to your great leadership. A hearty HOOAH to you and your battalion.

   Drive on - in more ways than one!

SSG Lukas

aka Luke

LukesVette38543.6216666667

can't say it any better than Alan.  thanks for your sacrifice, glad your home and enjoy your car.  youv'e earned it.

Hank

WELCOME HOME BROTHER! From one old Green Weenie to another. Glad you made the trip and thanks for your scrafice.As long as there are bad people in the world good young men will die. Makes you wish that you could put all the politicians in a ring and let them butt heads like billygoats. Losing a brother in action is the sh*ttest part of life. I too, have buried a bunch of good friends in the 'Nam. Toughest thing I have ever done, but I have to think that it is my duty to live as an honest and good man to the best of my ability in order to make sense out of their death. It has taken me a lot of years to get to that point. I am glad you are home and I wish you the best. The profession of arms is a calling that I was not wired for but I am eternally grateful to men like you. THANK YOU from a grateful citizen!

As one vet to another I'm glad you made it back safe and sorry for your losses...now enjoy your vette.

PS you've got a great wife hope she enjoys riding in it as much as mine does. When I here stories like this it makes me prode to be an American.

Alan