Moving Memorial Honors Fallen Heroes Published June 18, 2012 By 2nd Lt. Korey Fratini 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Thousands of Team Scott families participated in the base-wide picnic June 15 and tucked away in a quiet corner of Warrior Park--among the many activities and displays--was a restored 1951 Chevy 3100 truck. But this wasn't just any truck. What set this vehicle apart from the other "cool rides" on display was the intricate airbrushed artwork that depicted a fallen warrior's life and the family who stood nearby who shared the story of how this truck came to honor and represent the life of 19-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Phillip Vinnedge. The young St. Charles, Mo., native had only been 16 days into his first deployment in Afghanistan when he was killed by an IED on October 13, 2010. Before he left for the war, he and his father had searched for a 1950 Chevy truck but were not successful. "Phillip had always dreamed of owning a Chevy truck, so now it became my father's mission to get the exact truck that he had always wanted," said Corey, Phillip's brother. Corey said they contacted a local radio station that broadcasted a program called "Garage Sale" where his father told his story and requested that specific vehicle from the audience. Soon after he went on the air, a listener contacted the family with promising news and a month following the passing of Phillip, his family bought a 1951 Chevy 3100. The 18-month process of restoring the truck began immediately and once that was done, an airbrush artist from Illinois volunteered six weeks of his time to create the mural--the majority of which are life-like pictorial reproductions. Some of the artwork includes the 9/11 attack which inspired Phillip to join the Marines; Phillip's headstone, located at Jefferson Barracks; the Patriot Guard Riders, who escorted Phillip home; and two other Marines who were killed along with Phillip. Corey said they could not have done the restoration without the help of so many volunteers and donations. "It amazes me how many people came out of the woodwork to help make this happen," he said. Corey and his family are now using the truck as a moving memorial to honor Phillip and the other 24 Marines from the 35th Dark Horse Battalion who died during the seven-month deployment. The Vinnedge family created the Fallen Hero's Dream Ride project to not only honor the Marines painted on the truck, but every one of America's fallen heroes. "The moving memorial is meant to remind people that those who died have names and are not just numbers," he added. The truck made its first appearance at Six Flags St. Louis where it was unveiled on May 18, 2012. The recent base-wide picnic was the third event for the Fallen Hero's Dream Ride, where Corey was on hand to answer questions from anyone who visited the truck. The truck will continue to tour the St. Louis area and other parts of the state. For more information about the Fallen Hero's Dream Ride project visit www.fallenherosdreamride.org.