JAMUL, Calif. — The Larry Himmel Foundation is working with a group of volunteers to help the widow of a Marine.
In this Zevely Zone, I went to Jamul for Operation Tiger Tim. When someone you love dies, it's nice to keep something of theirs to remember them by.
That's how a truck with Florida plates ended up in California.
"It was brought all the way from Florida," said Ed Hanson. The 74-year-old served in the Navy, but Ed is on a mission to help a Marine.
"I am trying to do something good in a world that's troubled," said Ed who showed me enlarged pictures posted next to the truck under repair.
"This is our dear friend Tim Read the Marine who passed away," said Ed. "This is beloved wife, Ahn, who we are doing this project for."
Tim, a two-time Purple Heart Recipient, passed away on March 16, 2023, at the age of 33 from a heart attack.
He and his wife, Anh Read, lived in Wesley Chapel, Florida. "I get choked up because it's so fresh," said Ed. "I can't resurrect Tim, I do not have those powers, someone else does, but I can resurrect his truck, so his beautiful bride can drive it."
In 2010, Tim was shot by a sniper in Afghanistan then two months later he stepped on an IED and lost his leg. After years of medical challenges and PTSD, Tim passed away.
"His wife is inconsolable, and she called me, and she said I have this crazy idea. I need for you to refurbish Tim's truck," said Dennis DiLucente. He served in the Navy and the Marines and he recruited an army of volunteers to help out. "We can't resuscitate Tim, but we might be able to bring her some comfort by refurbishing the truck, so she can have a sense of communing with her husband as she is driving the truck," said Dennis.
The couple was once provided housing by the Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station and supporters of that organization are pitching in.
"It will be like new again," said volunteer Ryan Ogden. Jeff Isbell will provide custom pinstriping. "Just the thought that she'll see that and has good memories perfect," said Jeff.
It's their chance to help a Marine who was always helping others. Ed showed me another picture of Tim. "Here he was, Tim in Florida, there's a Fed Ex truck stuck in a ditch and this young vet gets out, missing a limb and he ties a tow rope to this Fed Ex truck with a Toyota truck and he helps this man out of the ditch," said Ed.
Tim Read, who went by the nickname Tiger Tim, had a tattoo on his forearm that said it all: "For those I love I shall sacrifice."
Tiger Tim had two loves his wife Anh and that truck. "I am trying to finish this young man's dream so his wife can drive around in it and feel his spirit," said Ed.
So together, San Diegans will give his truck and a wounded family the lift they need. Ed is renowned throughout San Diego for his automotive expertise. He has selflessly labored on numerous Wounded Warrior automotive projects throughout the past 20 years.
Here's a list of benefactors giving their time, expertise, talent, money and material to help make Anh's dream come true:
Jim Dentice, U.S. Navy Frogman-Financial Donor
Charlie Farnsworth, U.S. Army-Automotive Electrical Work
Andy Gaspar, U.S. Marine Corps- President Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station/Financial Donor
Albert Gutierrez-Automotive Upholstery Work
Bruce Heye-Heatshield Products/Financial Donor
Jeff Isbell-Kong's Pinstriping Artwork
Ryan Ogden-Asmar's Auto & Hanson's Muffler Shop/Engine Bay Detailing
Robert Patch, Army Ranger-General Manager Larry H Miller Toyota Parts Support
Terrance Chen-Owner Different Trend Exhaust
Shawn Killion-Quality Powder Coating
Stan Newkirk-Kirk's Radiator
Jay Petersen-Owner Enroute2Help Towing & Vehicle Transportation
The Larry Himmel Foundation is accepting donations to fund 'Operation Tiger Tim". If you'd like to help out, click here.