Iraq War Veteran Works on Rolling Memorial: Honors Fallen Soldier

wsbt ^ | 091707 | ed ernstes

[hoosierboy]

(WSBT) A wounded Iraqi war veteran is working on a rolling memorial to a fellow soldier killed in the Iraq war. A local company is lending a hand to make that dream come true.

Indiana Custom Truck Company in LaGrange is working with Sean LaGrange, a Texas truck driver.

“On April 9, 2004, I was wounded over in Iraq. I took a direct blast from an I.E.D. and got shot," said Sean McEndree, an Iraq war veteran.

While recovering he received a lot of help and encouragement from Sergeant Barry Meza who was in his unit. Meza was later killed in Iraq.

Sean decided to make a memorial to Sergeant Meza using his semi.

"I told him I did want an American flag, I wanted the Arlington Cemetery and a field cross on my truck," said McEndree

The LaGrange company heard about the project.

They agreed to put in a whole new truck sleeper with a microwave, sink, bed and refrigerator to make Sean’s time on the road — with the truck — more comfortable.

“Again, we want to show our patriotism, we want to show that we do care for our veterans,” said Elwin Eash from Indiana Custom Truck Co.

“We’ve got quite a few veterans here representing every service, people from Vietnam vets and Gulf War vets and then people who serve during peace time,” said Mike Baxley, also from Indiana Custom Truck Co.

Sean says the upgrade of his sleeper will really help him out on the road. He has difficulty getting around, because the bomb blast took out part of his lung, gall bladder, large intestine and liver. He still has shrapnel in his leg, chest and shoulder, but despite injury, Sean is proud and thankful.

“There are true Americans left there’s patriotism left in the country," said McEndree.

[hoosierboy]

[af_vet_rr]

That is wonderful. Wow.

[sweet_diane]

That's beautiful.

I hope the 'haters' leave it alone.

[Kirkwood]

It would be terrific if there was a way to keep track of the route it is on each day.