MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- Marines have spent many cold nights sleeping on sand while protecting the freedoms and privileges that Americans sometimes take for granted.
To immortalize the Marines who have lost their lives in support of freedom, Kevyn Major Howard, who is known as the character Rafterman from the Stanley Kubrick film, “Full Metal Jacket,” founded the non-profit organization Fueled by the Fallen.
Recently, he attended the San Diego Downtown Rotary Breakfast Club sixth annual Holes for Heroes Golf Tournament in Coronado, Calif., to thank the wounded Marines in attendance, and to raise awareness and support for fallen Marines and their families using three flagship Chevy Nova vehicles.
Howard took his personal Chevy Novas that were being outfitted as drag racing cars, and transformed them into Marine Corps memorials.
Each vehicle has a desert-camouflage paint scheme, and one features the ranks and names of the Marines who have given their lives in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
He plans to raise money in support of fallen Marines’ families, and a California-based post traumatic stress disorder treatment facility, by showcasing the vehicles on a memorial road trip across the country and by competing in National Hot Rod Association racing venues.
Additionally, he plans to take the road trip to Marines serving in Iraq during the holidays.
“We owe the (Marines) far more than our thanks,” said Howard. “This memorial is meant to honor them for their sacrifices, but we also owe their families a chance to thrive.”
Howard originally came up with the idea of honoring Marines after setting out to make a difference, one face at a time.
He visited Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., with the intent of photographing Marines’ faces and sending them to their hometown newspaper in hopes the local media would honor them for their service. Instead, the media focused on military death and the negative aspects of the war.
During his visit with the Marines at Twentynine Palms, he felt like there were no adequate memorials for today’s Marines. As a result, he transformed his personal vehicles into mobile memorials.
“Our service members are the real heroes,” said Howard. “We can never do enough to thank them.”
For more information about the organization or how to help, visit the Web site at www.fueledbythefallen.com.