[JamesR]

I will receive my son's FJ-40 within the next few weeks. Josh was killed in IRAQ 3 weeks ago by an IED. Josh's son was born the day before Josh lost his life. Before Josh was deployed, his wife wanted to sell his FJ. Now she says there's no way she'll sell it. Therefore, I'm going to build, drive, keep the FJ for Jackson , Josh's son and only child, so when he turns 15 he can learn to drive his Dad's favorite vehicle. I know little about the FJ. (I came very close to purchasing a FJ when I was in the military; the Air Force had a different plan.) I hope to learn a lot from this forum and I hope I will eventually be able to contribute to this knowledge base. I have a 75 Bronco that I use for my trail truck so I have some experience building/modifying/fabricating a vehicle. I'm going to try to build Josh's FJ the way he would want it.

Here's a photo of Josh next to his FJ. This was taken at Ft. Riley, KS.

[phocus]

Your a good man JamesR, let me know if I can help you.

john

[76yellow40]

Sorry for your loss, you should feel proud that your son was serving his country. I am sure Jackson will be forever greatful for his dad's crusier.

[cpratt]

First of all, all my thanks and respect go to your son. Because of him and the thousands of others, we can live in this great nation. I'm sorry for your loss.

What a wonderful gesture that you are doing for your grandson. I'm sure it will mean the world to him.

[Basserine]

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Yours sounds like a very worthy project. This is certainly one of the best places to find info and help.
Don't forget to keep us all updated about the fj40

73's
VE7CPE

[miletwo]

Thanks for sharing your story with us and my utmost respect to your son and his wife, child, and you for your extreme contribution to freedom.

Welcome to mud... there is no other place better to support your endeavor.

Welcome to the little one as well... i hope someday you fully appreciate what dad and grandpa left for you.

[REZARF]

Wow, thanks for posting up. My heart is heavy for you and your family. I will be praying for you and your family, and your sons young family as well. I am deeply impressed and grateful for your sons sacrifice and service. I am sorry for your very great loss.

If there is anything you need with the cruiser let us know so we can help.

Your son is a hero in my book!

Drew

[pjohnson]

My deepest sympathy for your family's loss.

Welcome to MUD, a truly unique on-line community.

Phil

[Spud]

Godbless you and yours...

[mtj555]

I am sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. You have found the best site for your source of information on the landcruiser. Best of luck with build.

[rsbcruiser]

Man! I know there isn't a worse thing than a parent losing their child. I hope the Fj-40 becomes a healthy outlet for your grief. You found the right site. Did you see the article in 4wd @ off road (Atomic Toy)? Maybe the image of a bunch of hard ass redneck 4 wheelers just doesn't stand up under a microscope. GS will being getting a Legend, Your son had good taste, I can't think of a better legacy.

Richard

[apeterson]

sorry for your loss!!!! words probably can not express how you feel....I think what you are doing is a wonderful thing!!! You know your son would have wanted it this way!!!

you found the right place... keep us all posted...

[UltraFJ]

I also am sorry for your loss and think you have done a good thing by keeping the truck for Jackson.


This is a great website.

Welcome!

[69 FJ40]

Sorry for your loss. My thought and prayers are with you and your family. You are doing the right thing by keeping the cruiser, Jackson and your sun would appreciate it. Welcome to MUD!

[lostmarbles]

I'm lost for words.
I'll certainly be trying to offer helpful advice to you if ever I think I can be of assistance.

[nzdonjohnson]

My deepest condolences to you. It's a truely great thing your son was doing and i'm sure the FJ will be a testament to his character.

[1973Guppie]

Sorry for your loss and best wishes to your family.

Let any of us know how it goes with the rebuild. I would love to see a "build thread" on here so you may post up pictures as you go and we can all support you (and your son/family) as you move on in the progress.

Best Wisehs,

Noah

[bsmith123]

Hello,

My heart goes out to your family.

I think this would be a great tribute to your son. I am a retired AF vet also.

How can we help? Would you be willing to accept cash contributions, fundraising efforts, parts, searching for parts etc? Need someone to take that on that effort for you?

best of luck with the project.

let me know if I can do any of the above

Bill Smith

[Finally Mine]

Sir I am deeply sorry for your families loss. I hope that you and your family can find peace and understanding within one day. When your grandson grows up and wants to know about his dad, I hope that this will explain what it was that he believed in as a soldier.

Respectfully, Steven Kostrzewa LTC USA

The Soldier's Creed

I am an American Soldier.


I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in
my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the
United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.


Feel to leave a comment via e-mail.

[CRWLNRX]

Wow, that really touched me. Your a good dad and grandfather. Let god bring healing to your family and I'm sure Jackson will cherish this vehicle when he is grown.----------M

[mikedickbek]

I'd like to mirror what others have already said. This is a great thing you're doing, and for a good cause. If my fate is the same as your son's I'd hope someone in my family would do the same thing you're doing for my son.
I have a lot of friends in Iraq now, and can feel your pain.
Good luck with the build and please let us know if there's anything we can do to help out.

-Mike

[leemj]

I am truly sorry for your loss. I'm sure Jackson will appreicate having a piece of what his father loved. Good luck!

[Colorado Boy-74-FJ40]

Hey guys, I say we all donate money to help him restore the rig! It doesn't have to be much, $10.00 or $20.00. If enough of us do so it would be a considerable amount of money. He could post up a bank fund to deposit money to like you see people do for fund raisers for cancer research etc.. I would gladly help out monetarily since I cannot help in person. What do you think? It's the very least I can do to honor his family's sacrifice

[DallasFJ40]

I think we should either build the rig (through MUD) and auction it off to a fund for Jackson. I would be willing to pay ebay money for the right reason...and this is the right reason.

However, I still thing is would be incredible for Jackson to drive his daddy's Cruiser. That being said, let's build it.

[mikedickbek]

I'm down with donations. If you start up a paypal account, it would be pretty easy for us to deposit money in your 'cruiser fund' bank account.
Great Idea!!

[JamesR]

Thank you for the warm welcome. I almost didn't share how I came about Josh's FJ. But I am going to try to honor his memory in all I do. If any of your are interested in learning more about Josh go to www.legacy.com and search <joshua Reeves>. He also as a facebook page. Yesterday we received a package from Baghdad. It contined a video of his memorial service his buddies held for him. Once again, I was brought to tears. In the video one of his buddies talked about Josh. His buddy said Josh loved and spoke often about his wife, his family, his country and his FJ. He said Josh was excited to take Jackon offroading.
I did not expect the offer of monetary donations. I spoke to my wife about this. We both were deeply touched by the generosity and willingness to help with this project. I will set up an account and, if the bank will allow, it will be called "Josh and Jackson's FJ".
Thank you again.
James Reeves

[Basserine]

Wow!!

I know for sure now that MUD is the right forum to be in. From everyones posts, it just proves what a great bunch of people are here.

But, ( Ya, there is always a but), Maybe we should ask JamesR what he needs and or is willing to accept. I feel the same as everyone else about helping, but it is his project. That being said,

James, please let us know what you need or are willing to accept.

[huston53]

JamesR
When ever you are ready to rebuild your sons truck please let me know. I live in Loganville, GA (about 30 min from Athens) and will be more than happy to help you out. My huband and I have restored a few FJ40's in our time. We also belong to the Georgia Cruiser assosiation and I'm there are plenty of people that can provide informaiton or support if you need it.
Like you, I have a family member in the military and am always worried about what may happen, but I am proud of what my brother does for this country.
And please tell your and your sons family thank you for the sacrafice, dedication, and hope that they give to all of us during this time.
Again, if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask.

[kkt]

James I have already contacted the two local LC clubs the Ga. Cruisers and the Upstate Cruisers(SC) I am sure that we will be able to help you. Also sent you a direct email.

[ATLRoach]

Sorry for your loss.. Please let us know what we can do to help out.