Marine Sgt. Nick Walsh’s favorite possession was undoubtedly his 1991 Ford Bronco, which he vowed to pass on to his kid one day. Unfortunately, Nick was just 26 years old when he was murdered by sniper fire while deployed to Iraq in 2007. Triston, his loving son, was only four years old at the time, but he has never forgotten his father.
Unfortunately, Nick was just 26 years old when he was murdered by sniper fire while deployed to Iraq in 2007. Triston, his loving son, was only four years old at the time, but he has never forgotten his father.
Triston’s mother, Julie, has kept Nick’s Ford Bronco for all these years. As it sat idle in her garage for years, the car started to rust.
After more than a decade, Julie took to social media to ask people if it was worth keeping the car, considering how much it meant to both Nick and Triston, even if the vehicle could no longer be used.
Julie’s post instantly went viral, and before long, local technicians and dealerships were donating their time to repair the car free-of-charge.
Julie planned to surprise Triston on his 16th birthday with the car that had been restored. Triston was enraged when she told him she had sold the Ford Bronco and would use the money to purchase him a new car.
“If looks could kill…just hatred in his eyes…tear rolled down his cheek,” Julie said.
“I was so mad at her. I didn’t talk to her for about two weeks,” Triston recalled.
Julie tried to make amends by taking her son to a nearby car dealership, where he saw the fully restored Ford Bronco! Businesses in the area donated an estimated $10,000 to $12,000 in repair work, and Nick’s Marine friends came from all across the country to help with the surprise.
“It’s just to show the boys, no matter where they go, no matter what they do, somebody’s going to look out for them,” according to one of his Marine dad friends, with another adding, “For him to be able to have his dad’s vehicle was just a full circle.”
For both Julie and Triston, the experience was incredibly emotional.
“I feel (Nick) so much around us… I know he’s sending us all signs that he’s still here and looking out for us. It’s a very reassuring feeling. It truly is,” Julie said through tears; as an emotional, Triston added that every time he is driving the car, he feels like his father is right beside him.
Video:
