Patriotic Tractor Celebrates His Family’s Military Service
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When Gary Leffler began restoring a 1957 Ford 860, his wife Jannell suggested he give it a patriotic paint job to honor military members in his family. Gary says the idea evolved into painting variations of the American flag on the fenders and hood, adding military mottos on the wheels, using military insignias, and a hologram of an eagle. A rattlesnake visual comes from the New Hampshire state flag with the famous “Don’t Tread On Me” motto.
“They were painted by custom motorcycle artist Sue Hopper,” says Gary. “Beyond that we honored all of my family members past and present by placing their names, along with when and where they served, on the inside of the tractor hood. Those names include vets who served in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the current war on terror. That includes my son, who served in the Middle East.”
Hopper completed the painting in about a month and a half, just in time for Leffler to attend an antique tractor show. He has since taken it to Honor Flight ceremonies, displayed it alongside the traveling Vietnam Wall memorial, and attended a very special 4th of July celebration in Washington D.C.
“It was a tremendous honor to have our patriotic symbol at America’s 2019 Independence Day parade and celebration in D.C.,” Leffler says. “We had photos taken by the Capitol, near the Washington Monument, and with Midshipmen from the Navy as well as soldiers in full uniform.”
Leffler goes on to say that everywhere he takes the tractor people commend him on what a fine example of patriotism it is and thank him for doing the work. “Nothing makes me happier,” he says.
Check out a video of the tractor at www.farmshow.com.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Gary Leffler, West Des Moines, Iowa.
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Patriotic Tractor Celebrates His Family’s Military Service TRACTORS Miscellaneous When Gary Leffler began restoring a 1957 Ford 860 his wife Jannell suggested he give it a patriotic paint job to honor military members in his family Gary says the idea evolved into painting variations of the American flag on the fenders and hood adding military mottos on the wheels using military insignias and a hologram of an eagle A rattlesnake visual comes from the New Hampshire state flag with the famous “Don’t Tread On Me” motto “They were painted by custom motorcycle artist Sue Hopper ” says Gary “Beyond that we honored all of my family members past and present by placing their names along with when and where they served on the inside of the tractor hood Those names include vets who served in WWI WWII Korea Vietnam the Gulf War and the current war on terror That includes my son who served in the Middle East ” Hopper completed the painting in about a month and a half just in time for Leffler to attend an antique tractor show He has since taken it to Honor Flight ceremonies displayed it alongside the traveling Vietnam Wall memorial and attended a very special 4th of July celebration in Washington D C “It was a tremendous honor to have our patriotic symbol at America’s 2019 Independence Day parade and celebration in D C ” Leffler says “We had photos taken by the Capitol near the Washington Monument and with Midshipmen from the Navy as well as soldiers in full uniform ” Leffler goes on to say that everywhere he takes the tractor people commend him on what a fine example of patriotism it is and thank him for doing the work “Nothing makes me happier ” he says Check out a video of the tractor at www farmshow com Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Gary Leffler West Des Moines Iowa
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