A classic salute
Rolling tribute to veterans to make Pittsburgh- area stop
In 2012, West Mifflin native and Air Force Master Sgt. Rick Beech purchased a 1957 Chevy truck that he spied languishing in a field on a goat farm in rural North Carolina.
But his restoration work on the Task Force 3200 vehicle slowed because of his deployments to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and then to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.
By the time he returned to his Satellite Beach, Fla., home he had another vision for the truck: transform it into a rolling tribute to the nation’s fallen military heroes.
From 6 to 9 p. m. Aug. 9, the Remembering Our Heroes ’ 57 Chevy Signature Tour will stop at the American Legion Post 712, 650 Old Clairton Road, Pleasant Hills.
The free event is open to the public, and the post will provide picnic- style treats.
The reconstructed truck, which is blue with a red, white and blue interior, also features a hood emblazoned with a bald eagle against a U. S. flag amid a spattering of military aircraft and silhouettes of soldiers answering the call to our nation’s defense.
Stars also adorn the truck cab, while medals and coins presented
to Mr. Beech are displayed inside the engine bay.
Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan wars and families whose loved ones died in the conflicts are encouraged to sign the truck’s exterior passenger side, which has a “A Fallen Hero Remembered” plaque and banner. A special gold ink is used for the signatures.
Veterans and families of deceased soldiers will do the same on the driver’s side, which also has a plaque and banner. Veterans can sign beneath their branch of service as represented by medallions on the truck bed rail.
The interior dashboard is reserved for tributes to Medal of Honor recipients from any U. S. conflict.
The 20- foot- long truck is carried in an enclosed 32- foot- long trailer, all of which is pulled by a 22- foot pickup truck Mr. Beech drives.
“When you look at the names, it is staggering. It makes you stop to think of the sacrifice and dedication that these men and women have given to our nation,” said John Dillon, of Bethel Park, retired Army 1st Sgt. and Post 712 member.
“It is a recognition of their service, and by our club sponsoring it, it is a way of saying ‘ thank you for your service’ ” said Army veteran Ed Harmon, of Pleasant Hills.
“It’s an extended hand, or outreach, to all veterans to thank them for their service and their duty to their country,” Navy veteran Tom Bodner, of Jefferson Hills, said.
The three men co- founded the post’s Riders, a familyoriented group of motorcycle enthusiasts who ride to support veterans and children. The Riders include Iraq and Afghanistan service veterans.
“Everyone is excited about having the truck here,” Mr. Dillon said of the 1,000- member post.
“It benefits ourselves and our neighbors, and brings us back together, and reminds us of our beliefs in community and brotherhood and doing for others,” he said.
The 18- city tour began June 12 and will end Aug. 28 at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. Besides the Pittsburgh- area stop, the tour included the U.S. Army War College in Carl isle, Cumberland County; the July Fourth Parade in Washington, D. C .; Annapolis, Md .; Fort Drum, N. Y .; and American Legion Post 617, South William sport, Ly coming County.
Mr. Beech, 65, is a 1971 graduate of West Mifflin South High School, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He is retired from his military service and from work with the Department of State.
His journey has, so far, logged more than 5,000 miles, including some side travel with his wife, Arlene. The couple and their two dogs live in the trailer while on the road.
Mr. Beech said the biggest surprise has been the public response.
“There is such a great outpouring of thanks we received as people say they didn’t expect anyone to do this and not be sponsored,” he said.
While the couple assume all travel costs, they do accept donations for fuel costs.
“I do it so veterans can see the truck, sign it and memorialize our brothers and sisters who did not come home,” Mr. Beech said.
For more information, see Facebook: “Remembering our Heroes Tour” and Ins tag ram# remembering our heroestour.