AUSTIN, TX--The wheels on Army SSG James Roach’s 1997 Ford Mustang are new. The windshield is new. And it's got a brand new coat of paint.
While Roach was away for a year, serving in Iraq, his friend and doctor, David Butler, got an idea.
"The chance to fix this car up for 'em, especially if he's not expecting it, is really kind of a fun thing. It's just really rewarding," said Dr. Butler, who organized a group of Central Texas auto shops that came together to help refurbish roach's car.
Brandon Hamrick, who works for Austin Infiniti, helped tint the windows and keep the secret. "He's clueless about it...he thinks he's getting some brake work done, little tidbits here and there," said Hamrick.
Before the restoration, Roach's car had a couple of dents and dings and the paint had faded. Chad Schulze, a veteran himself, says the chance to fix all of that was an honor.
"Nobody wanted to find out what they were going to get out of it, they wanted to know what more they could do to make it happen, so it was a good effort," said Schulze, of Continental Collision Center in North Austin.
On Tuesday, just days after he got back to Texas, SSG Roach came to pick up his Mustang, unaware of what he was about to see.
"Wow!" exclaimed Roach upon seeing his refurbished Mustang. "Oh my god!"
He was at a loss for words.
"Absolutely speechless. I really appreciate the amount of support and love for the military that every single one of the people demonstrated - I mean, it just speaks volumes right here,” said Roach, who was clearly moved.
"I don't know what else to say...thank you guys from the bottom of my heart...thank you so much," said Roach to the auto shop workers, who applauded him.
For them, it was the least they could do for an American hero.
