Soldier's essay from Iraq wins him Mustang
It's difficult for any auto enthusiast to put into words why we care so much about these four-wheeled machines. Ford recently asked Mustang enthusiasts to do just that for a chance to win the new 2010 'Stang, and after pouring through thousands of 250-word essays, picking the top 25 and letting Mustang faithful vote for their favorite online, a winner has emerged. He is Kory Chesher of Edgewater, FL, a U.S. Army Specialist with the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division who is currently serving in Iraq. Chesher's essay recalls the first time he saw a Mustang when a 1968 black Fastback pulled into the left turn lane beside he and his dad at a stoplight. He was six years old at the time. He's never owned one and was saving up to buy his first Mustang when he returned to the U.S., and now thanks to Ford and his fellow Mustang enthusiasts who voted for his essay, Chesher will get a brand new 2010 Mustang and two tickets to the LA Auto Show for the car's world debut. Fortunately his group is returning to the U.S. this month, so Chesher should be able to make the show. Check out his winning after the jump.
Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang Teased
[Source: Ford]
Chesher's 242-word essay, "A Life Obsession," follows:
It started when I was about 6 years old. I was in the truck with my father and we were at a stoplight. Across the road at the other light was this "car." It drew my attention away from everything else in the world. I asked my dad what it was and he simply said, "Oh, that's a Mustang."
I remember it like it was yesterday. I now know that it was a 1968 black Fastback. That was almost 20 years ago. Twenty years of love, addiction, obsession. Twenty years of longing and desire.
Now I'm a solider in the United States Army deployed to Iraq. I spend my spare time tearing through Mustang magazines that my family and total strangers are kindhearted enough to send to me. Every opportunity I get I'm online poring through forums and pictures; studying every little tidbit of knowledge I can get my hands on; meticulously memorizing seemingly insignificant trivia. Names, dates, specs, colors, paint codes, production numbers, costs, anything, everything.
A Mustang of my own wouldn't quell this life I live – it would supercharge it. The only thing greater than a life loving Mustangs is a life with a Mustang. With a Mustang to call my own I could finally experience the pride and freedom that I've only been watching from afar. It will ignite a passion like nothing I have ever experienced. Mustangs are my one true love.
I'm ready to go driving now.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TJ 2:03PM (11/06/2008)
Good on Ford!
God bless Spc. Chesher
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John P. 2:06PM (11/06/2008)
Congrats Kory! I know what you mean about Mustangs. When I was a kid my much older cousin pulled up one day in his beautiful 1969 silver with black stripes Mach 1 and I've been a Mustang fan ever since.
Enjoy your new car.
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Luis 2:07PM (11/06/2008)
Awesome. I'm glad he gets to come home and enjoy it. Congrats to Kory and a big thanks to all those who serve...Go ARMY!!
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Turbofrog 2:13PM (11/06/2008)
Personally, I think that kind of obsession devoted to a car is more than a little bit creepy.
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John P. 2:18PM (11/06/2008)
I'd cut him some slack here sheesh! He was entering a contest to win one. Going a bit over the top is not only expected, but necessary to win.
Luis 2:21PM (11/06/2008)
@Turbofrog: You're probably going to be the only one that feels that way...
Kremit 9:06AM (11/07/2008)
Turbofrog : I think you got off at the wrong blog exit. Make the first legal u-turn, and get off here:
http://www.themarthablog.com/
JZeke 2:14PM (11/06/2008)
A buddy of mine used to have a 5-0 ragtop - an 89 I believe - in college. This was about 1998, my junior year. We used to tear around town in that thing, and occasionally take road trips.
My first convertible road trip was in that beast. Three of us crammed in, dropped the top and cruised from Rochester to Toronto. Things I learned about convertibles and mustangs I'll never forget:
Leave the top down on a highway trip and you get there smelling like said highway.
V8s pump out a ton of heat! Prepare to have toasty toes.
Live axles are fun on bumpy corners - guaranteed slides for all.
Ford interiors could always be better.
Everyone checks you out in a 'Stang, especially a clean one.
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Chris 2:18PM (11/06/2008)
Hey this is my love letter to my one true love -- a Chevy Vega. He plagiarized me!
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CrazyVega 3:51PM (11/06/2008)
Some poke fun, some think it's cool, but I wouldn't want any car other than my '76 Cosworth Vega.
SPF 2:19PM (11/06/2008)
They better give him a GT.
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David 3:17PM (11/06/2008)
Contest rules specify that it is a 2010 Mustang GT coupe, and the winner will also receive almost $17K to offset the taxes on the prize.
Richard 2:26PM (11/06/2008)
the special edition "Terrorist Roadkill" Mustang
but congrats to him on winning the Mustang, he deserves it
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DesiAuto 2:25PM (11/06/2008)
Feels good that a soldier won.
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Tang 2:40PM (11/06/2008)
+1
Kotse 2:31PM (11/06/2008)
"Chesher will get a brand new 2010 Mustang and two tickets to the LA Auto Show for the car's world debut..."
Quick Kory...better make it home by Thanksgiving, in time for the LA Autoshow!
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Erik 2:34PM (11/06/2008)
Ok, so the only thing I couldn't quite figure out from the essay - Does this guy like Mustangs or not?
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Matt 5:09PM (11/06/2008)
lol
cavediver 3:37PM (11/06/2008)
The absolute right person won the Mustang GT. Who better to win than a young American soldier!!!
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Paul 4:04PM (11/06/2008)
For serious!
1) He deserves it - great essay and as thanks to him for serving
2) I don't think for should feel bad about asking this kid to be in its advertising either! Well spoken, hard working, and what says America more than one of our fine servicemen in a Mustang!