the Project coordinated from Afghanistan

[navyflyer72]

Many of you know me from the last 10 or so years that I have been building my 1967 Camaro, formerly called Project Flyin' Blind, which has been in the very capable hands of Frank Serafine and crew at Prodigy Customs for awhile now, mainly because my dreams sometimes out pace my wallet. Well, there are some changes afoot now.

Last month my brother was killed in a car accident in Pennsylvania, after returning from Afghanistan to bury him and then returning to Afghanistan, but not before my whole family was hit (5 days after the funeral) by a drunk driver who ran a red light, we sustained injuries, but none life threatening, a few weeks later I convinced the docs that I was ok to return to duty in Afghanistan. It was then that I decided that I needed to do something. I decided that as a result of his tragic and preventable death I should change my 1967 RS project direction, and I have also decided to incorporate my 2010 Camaro SS in this (now) two car project. My ideas are big, but my direction is focused. I have engaged the U.S. Navy (my employer), and several celebrity friends of my brother who died to put together a Nation wide tour of all the major military installations, a few dozen of the larger Car shows and track events to include SEMA and the Power Tour, and many military hospitals where wounded veterans are being treated. My idea is to use my brother's death (a Navy Veteran of OIF) to both teach a lesson and to help raise money for his charity (The Wounded Warrior Project).

I have a friend who is helping to create a build website, which I hope to get linked to Pro-touring.com as well as a Facebook and Twitter page where you can follow our updates. This is an interesting endeavor, as I am still in Afghanistan and the vast majority of these projects will occur while I am over here. I will basically be doing everything in my off duty time to ensure that this actually happens when I return at the end of this coming Winter.

If anyone would like to volunteer to assist with this project, please feel free to message me, I am looking for artists, people who have worked on large scale National projects before, people with promotions backgrounds and people who just think that this is a worthy project and cause.

My 3 brothers and 1 sister in the military are also going to be involved, even though my brother who is a U.S. Marine is also deployed out here with me right now. All of my brothers and sisters are hoping to travel with this project on the show tour next year for at least a portion, as well we hope to have several celebrities who know my brother and Ryan who died in the crash as well, so that they can participate in the show at the bases to talk about the effects of drinking and driving on those who are left behind. We want to show that while Zac and Ryan died as a result of mixing alcohol and driving that there are safe ways to enjoy both their automotive passion and their social drinking, just that they don't mix well.

So if you wish to help out with this, please message me, or email me directly at [email protected]



Thanks and please be safe out there. oh and if you have any ideas for a project name, please send them, I want the design to be focused on performance, wounded warrior, patriotic, and tribute to my brother Zac Hartwell and his friend Ryan Dunn in hopes that I can get the message across to at least one kid, that drinking and driving doesn't mix.

Regards,
George Hartwell

[Off Duty]

If you can turn tragedy into triumph, then that's the way to go.
If this somehow saves one young (or old) driver's life, then it's worth it.
Good luck with your project.

[monteboy84]

Man, so sorry for your loss sir, that whole accident and story made my stomach turn when I first saw it in the news. God bless you for turning tragedy into something positive.

I don't think I have a whole lot to offer on the build, but if you set up a donation account I'd be happy to contribute what I can.

-matt

[zombiekiller]

Man- ( deep breath). I crossed paths with Ryan on a few occasions and he was a really great guy. My wife had one of her songs on the original jackass movie soundtrack.

I was very saddened to hear the news about what went on with him. My Condolences to you and yours for the loss of both Ryan and your brother.

I'd like to think that just about any company would be happy to sponsor and assist with the project and statement/purpose that you are shooting for.

It sounds like a great project.

If i had anything to offer, I certainly would.

If you end up doing any sort of Fund Raiser or charity event associated with the project, let me know and either I will send a guitar, or I'll have the company that endorses my Wife's band send one to hopefully generate some funding for either your families travel costs associated with the tour, or a whole lot of shop rags and beer for whomever is doing the building.

thank you for your service sir, stay safe and god speed.

- Dave

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

[navyflyer72]

Matt and Dave and Gordon, thanks for your thoughts, condolences and wishes. I agree that it would be great to turn this into a positive. Both Zac and Ryan were special people, to say funny would be an understatement. There will be a donation tab on the tribute build website and once we get touring I may just take you up on the guitar offer Dave. I am working with the Navy to cover the travel costs and maybe even put me on specific orders in conjunction with the Naval Safety Center to take care of a lot of the associated expenses of touring around the country.
Here is a picture of Zac, Ben, Brandon and Myself from when Zac was still in the Navy. I have been trying to upload a few more pictures, but my upload speed over here is horrible and I am not having much luck using the attachment manager.

[zombiekiller]

Matt and Dave and Gordon, thanks for your thoughts, condolences and wishes. I agree that it would be great to turn this into a positive. Both Zac and Ryan were special people, to say funny would be an understatement. There will be a donation tab on the tribute build website and once we get touring I may just take you up on the guitar offer Dave. I am working with the Navy to cover the travel costs and maybe even put me on specific orders in conjunction with the Naval Safety Center to take care of a lot of the associated expenses of touring around the country.
Here is a picture of Zac, Ben, Brandon and Myself from when Zac was still in the Navy. I have been trying to upload a few more pictures, but my upload speed over here is horrible and I am not having much luck using the attachment manager.

Definitely keep my offer in mind. It doesn't have an expiration date. :-)

I can probably get a signature or two from a few of my Wife's friends on a guitar to up the value in the eyes of bidders.

My only stipulation will be that my wife and I get an invite to any event near us that you all plan to attend. I sincerely hope that the Navy supports your vision and message and you get the opportunity to get this done!

[go-fish]

Email sent. I believe I know Ben and Brandon. If they are indeed the Hartwell brothers from PA who were stationed with me in the South.

[sr73bu]

E-mail sent...

-Sean R

[RicerwannaB]

Sorry about your loss, Im a multiple time OIF veteran and have been EAS'd for over a year now, And im still losing buddies in Afghanistan, and to suicide / Alcohol related incidents on a weekly basis. Im looking forward to watching this build car and pevolve, I would definetely like to see this ay my respects.

[navyflyer72]

Dave,

Absolutely. I'll have you and your wife out to the tour as a VIP when we come through your neck of the woods!

-George

Definitely keep my offer in mind. It doesn't have an expiration date. :-)

I can probably get a signature or two from a few of my Wife's friends on a guitar to up the value in the eyes of bidders.

My only stipulation will be that my wife and I get an invite to any event near us that you all plan to attend. I sincerely hope that the Navy supports your vision and message and you get the opportunity to get this done!

[navyflyer72]

Johnny,

You are exactly correct, those are my brothers, I emailed you back. Thanks for the email!

R, George

Email sent. I believe I know Ben and Brandon. If they are indeed the Hartwell brothers from PA who were stationed with me in the South.

[navyflyer72]

Sean,

Thanks for the email, reply sent!

R, George

E-mail sent...

-Sean R

[navyflyer72]

Right there with you brother, hope this build lives up to my dreams and everyone's expectations. For our fallen friends and loved ones.

R, George

Sorry about your loss, Im a multiple time OIF veteran and have been EAS'd for over a year now, And im still losing buddies in Afghanistan, and to suicide / Alcohol related incidents on a weekly basis. Im looking forward to watching this build car and pevolve, I would definetely like to see this ay my respects.

[bonecrrusher]

I am sorry for your loss - if one of your tours swings thru North Carolina - let me know.

There are some good sized bases in this state.

[navyflyer72]

Bonecrusher, I'm positive we'll hit Ft. Bragg/Pope AFB and Camp Lejeune also, maybe more.

Once the website is up and running it will have a map with locations, events and tour info.

Look forward to meeting you when we come through N.C.
(I used to spend my summers in Tryon, N.C. with my grandparents if you know where that is. Pretty small town.)

I am sorry for your loss - if one of your tours swings thru North Carolina - let me know.

There are some good sized bases in this state.

[dslwizard]

I have had some tough roads of the paste few years but not like you. Please keep the faith and take comfort in the fact that you are doing this from more than half way around the world. Some don't have the skills or patience to do Hot Rodding. That means building, driving working on and enjoying the classics. Rock On!

Stay safe, Come home soon. Your family needs you.

Mike

[navyflyer72]

Mike, Thx. I appreciate your sentiments. It is difficult, but I have to say that whenever it gets tough, I think of my brother. He had a rough life and he never stopped and just gave up. So I use that to keep me going over here and stay motivated when I am tired after a long day and I have to log into our super slow dial up connection and hope that I can send one email before it drops my connection.

I definitely appreciate all the assistance I have gotten from people back stateside. I hope that as this project picks up steam I can tap these folks for more enjoyable parts of the project, rather than relying on them to do the mundane stuff.

Thanks again and I hope to have some great pics up as soon as we launch the website.

Cheers,
George

I have had some tough roads of the paste few years but not like you. Please keep the faith and take comfort in the fact that you are doing this from more than half way around the world. Some don't have the skills or patience to do Hot Rodding. That means building, driving working on and enjoying the classics. Rock On!

Stay safe, Come home soon. Your family needs you.

Mike

[ndians68]

well, im just a kid so i wont be much help, but if there is anyting you would like to try with like school stuff and getting the another program about drinking and driving and stuff, just pm me, i might be able to help you in some ways, and i must say, thank you, and all of your family, and everyone you are over there with for serving, now, make it home safe so we can watch see all of this in the show circut

[navyflyer72]

You'd be surprised what 'just a kid" can accomplish. Never sell yourself short just because of your age. You gave me a great idea with regards to a school project, I'm already reaching out to MADD and SADD to see how I might be able to help their organisations. So you never know, a few high school stops may be planned for the tour. Thanks for the offer to assist too, I'll have to see if we get near your school if we can make it a stop?

well, im just a kid so i wont be much help, but if there is anyting you would like to try with like school stuff and getting the another program about drinking and driving and stuff, just pm me, i might be able to help you in some ways, and i must say, thank you, and all of your family, and everyone you are over there with for serving, now, make it home safe so we can watch see all of this in the show circut