Captain Bruce Hays (Wyoming National Guard) was a remarkable man, by all accounts. He was dedicated to his wife and children, to his community, and to his nation. Like many of our fine military personnel, when duty called, he stepped up. That was no less the case than when he was chosen for an elite group to go to Afghanistan, 16 people in all. And that was where he lost his life.
But that’s not the whole story about Captain Hays. According to this Fox News article, he was also a thoughtful husband, buying for his wife an old 1959 Chevy Apache pickup truck, like the one her daddy had when she was a girl. The plan was for them to restore the old pickup together. But work, kids (2 of their own, and 3 from his wife, Terry’s previous marriage), Terry’s bought with cancer, it made that dream unrealistic. (Photo credit: Hagerty)
So, they made a decision:
[snip] Finally, after six years of saving, the Hays had managed to set aside enough cash to have the truck professionally restored. Of course, it wouldn’t be the same as fixing it up themselves, but they could begin to enjoy it with their children, just as Terry’s parents had done with her and her brothers. So Bruce found a Cheyenne mechanic with a good-looking portfolio and paid him $17,000 to do the job.In 2008, Bruce received word that a fellow officer, one he didn’t know but who was well aware of his stellar reputation, had personally requested that he join a 16-man combat advisory team bound for Afghanistan. Bruce proudly accepted, saying he wanted to fulfill a promise that our country made to the Afghan people, and Terry proudly supported her husband’s decision. She certainly understood why he was selected.
“Bruce meant so much to so many people,” she said. “His achievements as a man and a soldier were impressive. He commanded three different batteries. That’s unheard of. But he was so modest, so selfless. He was just doing what he thought was right.”
In May of that year, a week before Bruce’s deployment, he received an unsettling phone call about the Apache. According to the Cheyenne District Attorney, the mechanic was nowhere to be found, nor was the money that he’d been paid by the Hays and others. The Apache was left in pieces, and the D.A. said it needed to be claimed or it would be sold to help pay off the mechanic’s debts.[snip]
Can you believe that? That this mechanic ran off with all the money? Just incredible. You can only imagine the impact this had on both Bruce and Terry to get this news, especially since his deployment was imminent. How painful this must have been to them both to get this news.
But then there was the news that would just be catastrophic to Terry and the children: Captain Hays was killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb:
[...]The 1959 Chevrolet Apache truck, left in pieces, much like their lives, seemed to be the least of their worries. But as Bruce’s story spread, a plan began to unfold. People who didn’t know each other came together for a common cause. Restoring the Apache seemed to be the perfect way to honor Cpt. Bruce Hays and his ultimate sacrifice. And it would also give his grieving wife and children something to cling to.So with the help of old friends and new friends – including Col. Raymond Kent, the Wyoming National Guard, Stacey Morton and the “Friends of the 133rd,” Kent Stevinson, WyoTech automotive students and staff, Koop Transport Co. and countless others – the truck was completed in late 2011. On Feb. 3, it was delivered to Terry, surrounded by friends and family, escorted to her small New Mexico pecan farm by the Patriot Guard Riders. It was painted dark blue with gold striping at Terry’s request, “like the Army’s Class-A uniform trousers.” And the image of an American flag waved proudly on the tailgate, right next to Bruce’s name.[snip] (Click here to read the rest of this powerful story.)
And here it is, the fulfillment of Captain Hays’ wish for his wife. The restoration of the 1959 Chevrolet Apache, from a bucket of bolts to a fully restored, beautiful truck:
And how did Terry Hays feel about this restored truck? This says it all:
“Sitting in the truck is like having his arms around us, giving us comfort.”
What a great gift this community, a community of people all across the nation, these volunteers, these donors, these students, and fellow soldiers, gave this family. It doesn’t bring back her beloved husband, but it does fulfill his wish for her, a reminder of how very much he loved her and the family. And that is no small thing…
(For more on this story, there is a good report in this video.)
What an uplifting story Rev. Amy. With all the depressing and aggravating things that are going on, it is nice to read about something like this. The truck is just beautiful too.
Thank you, SSDD – I was moved to tears by this story when I read it this morning. And I agree – the truck is beautiful. What a fitting tribute to Captain Hays.
Thank you RRA…Gives me belief that there is still hope for our fellow man….
If only all of America truly honored our military people like Hays the way they should be…
Now time to go dry my tears after reading such a beautiful story…
God Bless all our American military and their families
While this story demonstrates both the worst and the best in people, it gives one real hope for true change. That truck is our country…
Time for every patriotic American to put their shoulder to the wheel to restore her in spite of the odds.
Amen to that, Brother Ferd. You are right on both counts.
We need to pull together like those volunteers and donors from all across the country to right this ship…
We sure do.
I think we will in November Amy.great article thanks.
This is a great story, which means the MSM won’t be covering it. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Amy. We could all use a little good news.
Thanks, Ferd. You know, we just need to be reminded of some of the goodness of people in this country, how compassionate people can be, how generous of spirit, time, and money. And his wife, Terry, is a remarkable woman…
Aw man, its like those videos of the dogs being rescued. You gotta warn me to bring a box of tissues!
Beautiful restoration in addition to being a great story.
Sorry, hc! I’ll do better the next time!
It is a beautiful story, isn’t it?
Btw, I am curious to know your reaction to the French election. If you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear it!
When I was a little kid I was walking around with my uncle in Paris, looking at the buildings. They have lots of lovely buildings with infinite gold leaf budgets and little cherubs running around the rooflines and whatnot. In the “middle east” our fine buildings had italian architects with a different style that is somehow called Arab. But built largely by italians with fountain fetishes (water meant wealth, its the same as gold leaf really – sort of stapling your cash to your lapels to impress your neighbors).
But I digress.
As kids do, I would ask “What is that?”
Q: “What is that?
A: “That is the Academie Francaise”
Q: “What is that?”
A: “That is the French Senate”
Q: “What is that?”
A: “That is the Tax Collector for Arronidssement 6″
Q: “What is that?”
A: “That is the French National Assemblies”
Q: “What is that?”
A: “That is the Elysee Palace”
etc etc, you get the picture. Always a government building, unless its a big church.
France chopped off the head of its king and queen, elected a midget, got a king back (another Louis, who needs other names, right?), got the midget back, then got various “republics” it has now.
Now they elect a statist that calls himself a socialist, as opposed to a statist that is married to a woman who had sex with Mick Jaggar.
I say whoopiedee for Mr. and Not Quite Mrs. Hollande, with a slight wonder at how long the Germans will keep paying for all of his nonsense. It usually goes badly for Europe when the Germans get really mad at France.
The asparagus however is marvelous in France. Both the white and green varieties.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beiteddine_Palace
Here is a “typical” levantine Palace, built for some thug by his Italian architect. Note the very important water fountains, the gold leaf of the arab world. Although water is plentiful in the area, why not add more. Maybe the cousins from rural Jordan dont know.
Oh, my – I knew your response would be good, and I am not disappointed! Outstanding imagery regarding the gov’t buildings and gold leaf (and it is curious abt architecture in the ME being called Arab when it is really Italian. Go figure!).
Don’t get me wrong, I love France, and have very much enjoyed my trips there. But there is a HUGE difference between being a tourist there on holiday, and rioting in the streets over raising the retirement age to 62 from 60…
Right.
But you aren’t only kidding abt Germany. I just heard a few minutes ago that THEIR retirement age is 67, so they likely won’t have a whole lot of patience for the new Prez when he comes wanting more Euros…
Thank you – outstanding comments on this. And WOW abt the Palace. I totally get that water is treasured as much as gold (I had a roommate when I lived in Boston who was a fellow at Harvard. She was Syrian [her dad had been the UN Ambassador from Syria], and her doctoral dissertation was on water rights in the ME – fascinating. It is something with which we may well be dealing with here, too.).
I always like to “dial it back” as it were. Why the hell does the government even set a “retirement age”? Because of course its in a business it should not be in – pension funding.
See how the statists push the argument? They trick us into debating the retirement age. 62, 67. 175 in Japan. Whatever
I reject retirement being part of the public sphere entirely. Retire when you can or want. Its none of my business and it sure as hell should not be a matter of law.
I make my other half angry calling France FRANCELAND – we vacation there too but there is just no way I would ever live there. Its actually close to a third world country outside certain tourist destinations, and the people are batshit crazy.
I will try to find you this episode of this french program (we have it here in the states too) where they go into your garage and find treasures they auction. The very spry and healthy couple appear to be 60 *max*, yet they are “retired” from the “railroad”. Really? Completely fit 57 year olds will now not work another day in their lives and will suck up welfare benefits (off the Germans if need be) for what? 40 years? Its just stunning. I smell trouble. Mr. Hollande is the least of their problems!
OHMYGOSH, you are just too damn funny! How does your husband stand it? “Franceland” – teehee!
Excellent point abt the retirement age. I hadn’t thought abt it like that, though it was really just an easy example of things that aren’t obvious when driving around the countryside, know what I mean?
And LOL abt the people – I imagine that some are. The last time we were there, we were in the South of France, and met some very nice people out in the country, away from the big cities and stuff. They were very gracious and helpful, even though I speak only a little French, though I love the language.
Anywho – excellent point abt retirement. I think it was Krauthammer talking abt much the same thing tonight, that people retire so early, and then live off the gov’t for years and years and years…