This 2006 Mustang GT was ordered in March 2005, to be a toy and driven to have fun.
This car is not funded by the foundation, it is a private collection on loan to Mikes Guardian Eagle Foundation for display at parades and fundraising events.
This car was built at the Ford plant on August 16, 2005. I - Mike's dad, was to drive the car to Florida in September when Mike was on leave.
We were taking a week to pal around, see a Buccaneer's game, and just spend time with each other. Michael was KIA on August 21, 2005. He never got to see the car. The car arrived at a local Ford dealer (Ed Kenley Ford) in Layton, Utah on September 11, 2005. With the intial thought of not getting the car, and urging from my family, I got the car but excluded the racing stripes.
I knew I had to do something special for Mike. With help from a local painter, Mike Shapp (who painted Carl Malone's 18 wheeler), we came up with the design you see today. The Airborne Wings you see on the hood had to go on the car, Mike was so proud when he earned his wings. the slogan, "Airborne All The Way" is an Airborne thing and Mike always signed his letters this way.
The American Flag with the kneeling soldier and the words, TO OUR MILITARY HEROES, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, I saw at Arlington after burying Mike. I knew then, that had to be on the car to honor all our troops who willingly put themselves in harms way.
The rear of the car is adorned with Mike's units he served with. The 82nd Airborne unit he was with in Iraq during the initial start of the war and the 173rd Airborne unit he was with after re-enlisting and going to Afghanistan. The foundation logo and the medallions are a foundation I started in honor of Mike to help our returning troops and to build veterans memorials.
The hat on the dash is Mike's hat along with the ribbons he earned. From the bottom right ( Over-seas Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Nation Defense Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal (he earned this one three times), Army Commendation Medal (he earned this one two times), Purple Heart for wounds received in combat, Bronze Star for actions in battle with a V Device for Extreme Valor, Combat Badge, Airborne Wings, Expert Rifle. The mini Gold Star flag hanging on the mirrior was given to me by another Gold Star mom. The POW/MIA flag on the antenna is there to remind everyone we cannot forget any of our soldiers, our most valued commodity. The yellow ribbon is from a flag raised in Mike's honor at the American Legion conference in August 2006. The rear bumper is to remind everyone of the freedoms enjoyed by the many are paid for by the few. The saying on the rear window was written by Father O'brien, another American soldier. The picture of Mike on the back was taken on his mothers back porch after returning from Iraq.
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