Volunteers Help Finish A Soldiers Last Gift For Family

Terry Hays fondly remembers driving home with her father in the family’s Chevrolet Apache pickup. Knowing this, her husband Bruce bought a beat-up ‘59 Apache for Terry as an anniversary gift, intending fix it together with her. Before he could though, Bruce was shipped off to Afghanistan, and was unfortunately killed by a roadside bomb soon after arriving there.

It’s a tragic story with a bittersweet ending. Fox News reports that volunteers, inspired by Bruce’s selflessness, got together and finished the Apache pickup for Terry. The story has many twists and turns, starting with a shady mechanic who took Bruce for $17,000 when he tried to pay to have the Apache professionally restored.

Bruce vowed to have the still-in-pieces truck fixed up right for his wife, but that plan was cut short when the Humvee he was riding it was hit with a roadside explosive device. Bruce, along with four others, was killed.

That was back in 2008. As the story of Bruce’s life and the truck he wanted to restore spread, volunteers from all walks of life came together to finish Bruce’s final gift for his family. The truck was fully restored and delivered to Terry and her family in February of 2011. It’s a really touching story, and we’re glad that this father and husband’s final gift came together despite all odds.

About the author

Chris Demorro

Christopher DeMorro is a freelance writer and journalist from Connecticut with two passions in life; writing and anything with an engine.
Read My Articles

Hardcore Chevys in your Inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Chevy Hardcore, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Chevy Hardcore NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

chevyhardcore

We'll send you the most interesting Chevy Hardcore articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

Chevy Hardcore NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

chevyhardcore

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


streetmusclemag
Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
dragzine
Drag Racing
enginelabs
Engine Tech

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • streetmusclemag Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
  • dragzine Drag Racing
  • enginelabs Engine Tech

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

chevyhardcore

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading