A Tribute

[GiaKrembs 0]

I tried a search and didn't find this... hope it's not a re-post if so tough doodles it's well worth it!

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (March 2, 2006) -- Karla Comfort received a lot of looks and even some salutes from people when she drove from Benton, Ark., to Camp Pendleton, Calif., in her newly-painted, custom Hummer H3 March 2. The vehicle is adorned with the likeness of her son, 20-year-old Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason, and nine other Marines with F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division who where all killed by the same improvised explosive device blast in Fallujah, Iraq, in December.

For Comfort, having the vehicle air brushed with the image of the 10 Marines was a way to pay homage to her hero and his fellow comrades who fell on Iraq’s urban battlefield.

“I wanted to let people know (Marines) are doing their jobs honorably, and some of them die,” said the 39-year-old from Portland, Ore. “I don’t want people to forget the sacrifices that my son and the other Marines made.”

Leading up to her son’s death, Comfort had received several letters from him prior to his return. He had been deployed for five months, and Comfort “worried everyday he was gone until she got the letters and found out the date he was coming home,” she said.

Marines knocked on the front door of her home in Farmington, Mich., at 3 a.m. with the dreadful news.

“I let my guard down when I found out he was coming home,” she said. “There are times that I still cannot believe it happened. It’s very hard to deal with.”

Comfort came up with the idea for the rolling memorial when she and her two other sons attended John’s funeral in Portland, Ore.

“I saw a Vietnam (War) memorial on a car, and I said to my son Josh, ‘we should do something like that for John,’” she recalled. “He loved Hummers.”

She purchased the vehicle in January and immediately took it to AirbrushGuy & Co. in Benton, Ark., where artist Robert Powell went to work on changing the plain, black vehicle into a decorative, mobile, art piece.

“I only had the vehicle for two days before we took it in,” she joked.

Two hundred and fifty man-hours later, Powell had completed the vehicle. The custom job would have cost $25,000. Out of respect for Comfort's loss and the sacrifices the Marines made, AirbrushGuy & Co. did it for free. Comfort only had to purchase the paint, which cost $3,000.

“I love it,” she said. “I’m really impressed with it, and I think John would be happy with the vehicle. He would have a big smile on his face because he loved Hummers.”

Comfort gave Powell basic instructions on what to include in the paint job. But in addition to the image of her son in Dress Blues and the faces of the nine other Marines, there were several surprises.

“He put a lot more on than I expected,” she said. “I think my favorite part is the heaven scene.”

On the left side of the vehicle, a detail of Marines are depicted carrying their fallen comrades through the clouds to their final resting place. The American flag drapes across the hood, the words, “Semper Fi” crown the front windshield and the spare tire cover carries the same Eagle Globe and Anchor design that her son had tattooed on his back.

“All the support I have been getting is wonderful,” she said.

Comfort decided to move back to her hometown of Portland, and making the cross-country trip from Arkansas was a way for her to share her son’s story. It’s also her way of coping with the loss.

“Along the way I got nothing but positive feedback from people,” she said. “What got to me was when people would salute the guys (Marines). It’s hard to look at his picture. I still cry and try to get used to the idea, but it’s hard to grasp the idea that he’s really gone.”

Raddest ho this side of Jersey #1 - rest in peace brother
Beth lost her cherry and I missed it
.... you want access to it, but you don't want to break it.

[GiaKrembs 0]

one last pic...

Thanks to all our men and women out there!

God bless, g

Raddest ho this side of Jersey #1 - rest in peace brother
Beth lost her cherry and I missed it
.... you want access to it, but you don't want to break it.

[waltappel 1]

That rocks!!!! Thanks for posting it.
Walt

[namgrunt 0]

thank you GIG for posting that

lets ALL get down on our knees and thank god for those we have loved lost

prayers are wuith those serving and those who stay at home and wait.

..

59 YEARS,OVERWEIGHT,BALDIND,X-GRUNT
LAST MIL. JUMP VIET-NAM(QUAN-TRI)
www.dzmemories.com

[mnealtx 0]

Wow...





just.....wow.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[ryno1972 0]

Seeing stuff like that gives me goose bumps. That is really cool.....

glad to be here!!

[HUSHPUPPY 0]

That's AWSOME! Thanks to all who are or have served!

"You made my panties wet!" Skymama (Fitz 09)
"Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience."

[kenz 0]

absolutely amazing - thanks for sharing
GOD bless our troops and their families

"life does throw curveballs sometimes but it doesn't mean we shouldn't still swing for the homerun" ~ me

[cocheese 0]

Thanks Gia.
Thank you soldiers.

[JohnRich 4]

If only Cindy Sheehan would copy this method of honoring her fallen son.

[Darius11 12]

Yea because buying a hummer and painting it red white and blue is a very productive way of stopping people from dying for what she(Cindy Sheehan) and many believe to be an unjust war.


This is the USA people have the freedom to express their views even if it doesn’t make you feel all fluffy inside.


Not disagreeing with what this mother did I am sorry for her loss.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[MikeForsythe 0]

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If only Cindy Sheehan would copy this method of honoring her fallen son.

Cindy Sheehan has earned the right to honor her fallen son however she sees fit!

Time and pressure will always show you who a person really is!

[jumpergirl 0]

That's awesome. Thanks or posting it.
My dad, and both of his parents are former Marines. My mom's dad was an Army man. I couldn't be more proud of all of them. (Especally my daddy!

• Quote

[ChrisL 2]

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Yea because buying a hummer and painting it red white and blue is a very productive way of stopping people from dying for what she(Cindy Sheehan) and many believe to be an unjust war.


This is the USA people have the freedom to express their views even if it doesn’t make you feel all fluffy inside.


Not disagreeing with what this mother did I am sorry for her loss.

Hey, how bout if you two guys stop before you even get started :-)

This lady wasnt protesting anything.
She was honoring the fallen.

Both your and Johnriches posts were out of place here.

__

My mighty steed

[leapdog 0]

Quote

Yea because buying a hummer and painting it red white and blue is a very productive way of stopping people from dying for what she(Cindy Sheehan) and many believe to be an unjust war.


This is the USA people have the freedom to express their views even if it doesn’t make you feel all fluffy inside.


Not disagreeing with what this mother did I am sorry for her loss.

NO it isn't a productive way to stop people from dying for what she(Cindy Sheehan) and many believe to be an unjust war. It IS a productive way to morn for the fallen.

Your are welcome for the freedom to post what you did.

I'm glad you feel sorry for a mothers loss. We should all be sad that there is need for those to stand and do violence on others behalf.


Gunnery Sergeant of Marines

Gunnery Sergeant of Marines
"I would like it if I were challenged mentally at my job and not feel like I'm mentally challenged." - Co-worker

[Darius11 12]

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We should all be sad that there is need for those to stand and do violence on others behalf.

i guess thats the problem. some belive there was a need others don't

But i will take ChrisL advise here and say nothing more. this shit is for SC peace out

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[GiaKrembs 0]

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But i will take ChrisL advise here and say nothing more. this shit is for SC peace out

Thanks, I really don't want this moved to SC. The whole point of posting it was to share her beautiful thought/expression of love for her lost son, his comrades, and to show the support and love she is receiving in return.
g

Raddest ho this side of Jersey #1 - rest in peace brother
Beth lost her cherry and I missed it
.... you want access to it, but you don't want to break it.

[ACMESkydiver 0]

That's cool.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[owellynot 0]

in tears at work....

amazing. beautiful. i feel foolish trying to put into words....

thank you.

I'm going to make a great third wife for my first husband....

[thegreekone 0]

Quote

Quote

If only Cindy Sheehan would copy this method of honoring her fallen son.

Cindy Sheehan has earned the right to honor her fallen son however she sees fit!

Thanks for helping me dodge being banned.

[jasonRose 0]

Ummmmm.......


WOW! I that doesn't make you think....

Some day I will have the best staff in the world!!!

[Squeak 17]

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Ummmmm.......


WOW! I that doesn't make you think....

that stament makes me think..... ummm what does it mean.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[friendofGod 0]

what an awesome story! Thanks for sharing and God bless all of our soldiers!

Exodus 20
Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven
1 cross + 3 nails = 4GVN