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Courtesy of CNN
10/12/06, Atlanta, GA—Following the unveiling of an overhauled CNN
Hummer that saw action during the war in Iraq, the network plans to
put the vehicle on the auction block and donate the proceeds to the
Fisher House Foundation, an organization that builds “comfort homes”
for families of hospitalized military personnel.
Nicknamed “Warrior One,” the Hummer will be the subject of an
upcoming episode of Overhaulin’, a highly rated program on The
Learning Channel. The program’s co-hosts Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “A.J.”
Janic and hot rod designer Chip Foose presented the refurbished
Hummer to CNN employees this morning.
After "Warrior One’s" tour of military bases and other sites across
the country, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., a premiere classic car
auction house, will auction the vehicle on Jan. 20, 2007, at the
auction company’s headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ.
“The crew from Overhaulin’ has created a memorable tribute to
military personnel who serve during times of war and the journalists
who cover them,” said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. “We
feel the Fisher House—with its mission to support military families
during times of medical need—is an ideal recipient for the proceeds
raised by the auction.”
The Fisher House provides temporary residence for families of
patients receiving major medical care at military and Veterans
Administration centers. Since its founding in 1990, the Fisher House
has offered more than 2 million days of lodging to more than
100,000. Presently, the organization operates 35 houses in 16 states
and one in Europe.
CNN purchased the Hummer in 2002 from the King Hummer dealership in
Kuwait. Network producers, video journalists and correspondents used
the vehicle when they were embedded with the First Battalion, 7th
Marines in the war in Iraq in 2003. The vehicle came under heavy
fire near Baghdad in April 2003 as Iraqis celebrated the arrival of
coalition forces in Baghdad.
This summer, Overhaulin’ took the Hummer to the show’s workshop in
Irvine, CA. Crews overhauled the Hummer’s engine and body and
installed an extensive entertainment system that includes a DVD
player, four LCD monitors and a state-of-the-art sound system.
Airbrush artists Dru Blaier, Mickey Harris and Mike Lavallee painted
images of journalists and military men and women onto the vehicle as
a tribute to those who served during the war in Iraq or covered the
war.
The Overhaulin’ program featuring the Hummer will premiere on TLC on
Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).
Thank our Soldiers! A Million Thanks has set a goal to send 2.6
million "Thank You" letters to Soldiers.
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