Project: Fallen Hero  

Honoring the memory of Maj. Jeffery R. Calero,

Commander ODA 2132, Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Maj. Jeffrey R. Calero

PROJECT: Fallen Hero News:

News Flash!

Project Fallen Hero will be winding down very soon!

The ceremony presenting Maj. Calero's Mustang to his father, Raymond Calero, took place at New England Dragway on April, 28 2012!

A few pictures are presented here, and the gallery has now been updated with pictures from the final several weeks of work prior to the Presentation Ceremony and photos from the day of the Charity Challenge and Ceremony.  At this time there has not been time to add captions to the new photos, but they are available in the gallery.

We still have a few details to clean up before actually delivering the car to Mr. Calero, but the car should be in his possession within a short period of time.  Project Fallen Hero would like to once again thank all of those who made this effort a success.

The leading part of the honor parade bringing Mr. Calero to New England Dragway.

Ed Yessaian introduces Ray Calero at the ceremony

Maj. Houghton speaks for the U. S. Army Special Forces ("Green Berets") at the ceremony.

The Project Fallen Hero Mustang in the winner's area after PFH Crew Chief George Martin drove Mr. Calero for a slow memorial pass down the track at New England Dragway.

George Martin presenting the keys to the Mustang to Mr. Calero while some of the soldiers from Maj. Calero's former unit look on.

Fani Rosa, the artist who did the graphics and striping on the Mustang presents a video made by the TV Media students at Lynn Tech, while some of the Lynn Tech Auto Body students look on.

Members of Project Fallen Hero and faculty from Lynn Tech pose with Mr. Calero in front of the Mustang.

The Mustang ran a few easy passes in the Charity Challenge racing and here stands on display after being eliminated from the racing.

This photo needs no explanation beyond saying that it signifies an emotion strongly felt by all involved!

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Once again, Late Model Restoration Supply has answered the need of Project Fallen Hero! They have donated many parts to allow us complete most of the final restoration of Maj. Calero's Mustang! These parts include horns, floor mats, license plate lights, under hood insulator blanket, door handles, various seals, weather-stripping and moldings, hatch support struts and emblem badges for the car.

This brings us to the point of being able to complete the restoration of the car!
Thank You LateModelResto.com!!!

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Project Fallen Hero gratefully acknowledges the donation by CJPonyParts.com of much needed interior trim parts to the project.  Thank you CJPonyParts!

1-800-888-6473

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On 3/31/12 the car was delivered to Southern NH Undercar in Hampstead, NH where it will receive Southern NH Undercar's donation of a custom exhaust system.  SNHU will also help us straighten out a few glitches in the suspension.  There are more picture of moving the car to SNHU in the gallery.  We would also like to acknowledge Sanel Auto Parts of Salem, NH for their kind donation of new oxygen sensors for the car.  Thank you very much!

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We are proud to announce that the students of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute (LVTI) have joined Project Fallen Hero!!!

On October 7, 2011, Major Calero's Mustang was delivered to LVTI where the students prepped and painted the car and handled the various exterior trim and decorative parts as well as reassembling the front and rear lighting and rear hatch area.  On March 29, 2012 a ceremony was conducted at LVTI handing the keys to the car back to Project Fallen Hero.  It is truly amazing what these students did with the car!  We enthusiastically thank the students and faculty at LVTI for their interest in and contributions to Project Fallen Hero!  Be sure to view the latest pictures immediately below and at the bottom of this page and at the bottom of the Photo Gallery to see the pictures of the LVTI students turn Maj. Calero's Mustang into a real showpiece!

UPDATE: New pictures posted in the Lynn Tech section of the Gallery from 3/29/12 !

http://web.me.com/lvti/LVTI/Project_Fallen_Hero.html

Lynn Daily Item: Tech students refurbish car for Fallen Hero

BEFORE Lynn Tech worked their magic:

AFTER - What an amazing transformation:

BEFORE the Lynn Tech TLC was added:

AFTER: All students in all classes of the auto body program should be proud:

The ceremony handing the keys to Project Fallen Hero back to the project.

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Kwik Auto Body Supplies of Medford, MA has graciously donated all of the paint and supplies needed to paint Project Fallen Hero.  We are delighted to announce this generous donation to the cause, and whole-heartedly thank Kwik Auto Body Supplies!

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We are delighted to announce that TMI Products of Corona, CA has donated most of the items we need to finish the interior of Maj. Calero's Mustang once painting is complete.  See the end of this page for more information on this amazing support of Project Fallen Hero.

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The Project Fallen Hero car was on display this year at the Charity Challenge racing event at New England Dragway.  While we were not successful in winning any of the prize money for the project, it was great to show the progress we've made to the many interested viewers at the event, we did receive additional donations to the project from generous attendees, and to get the car out of the garage.  Pictures of the car at the event will be in the gallery very soon.

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Project Fallen Hero is moving right along!  On Saturday, 3/26/2011 we STARTED THE ENGINE for the first time.  There are more video links on the Gallery page.

Click here for a video of the engine running!

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Late Model Restoration Supply has been very generous in donating many parts to allow us complete more of the restoration of Maj. Calero's Mustang! These parts include front and rear springs, rear upper and lower control arms, subframe connectors, rear shocks, oxygen sensors, full headlight set, rear bumper cover, rear bumper and rocker molding brackets and much miscellaneous hardware.

This brings us very much closer to being able to complete the restoration of the car!
Thank You LateModelResto.com!!!

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1-800-Radiator.com has donated a brand new A/C condenser to Project Fallen Hero.  Soon this project car will be cruisin' COOL and in style, thanks you this very appreciated contribution!

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Southern NH Undercar has donated a custom made cat-back exhaust system to Project Fallen Hero, and has offered to help with the installation of the entire exhaust system for Maj. Calero's Mustang!

This is a major contribution to the project and we deeply appreciate their contribution and assistance on our project.

Southern NH Undercar - 544 Route 111, Hampstead, NH 03841   603-329-6650

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Pro Tree Performance and Dyno has contributed new struts and quad shocks to Project Fallen Hero!

These are major parts needed for the suspension and the project is very grateful for the contribution.

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The TASCA Family has generously donated new Ford Racing front lower control arms to Project Fallen Hero!

These control arms are superior to stock and include new low friction ball joints, which should improve the handling and steering of the vehicle.

The TASCA Family wishes Happy Holidays to everyone!

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Advance Auto Parts of Hooksett, NH has contributed a gift of a badly needed New Radiator and many other parts to Project Fallen Hero.

We are very grateful for this donation, as we have been waiting for these parts to finally get the newly rebuilt engines and transmission actually running again!

1292 Hookset Rd Suite B, Hookset, NH, 03106   603-222-3820

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Midas of Stoneham, Ma has become a supporter of Project Fallen Hero!

Midas has donated all of the parts to rebuild the brake system of Maj. Calero's Mustang.  Project Fallen Hero is grateful to Midas of Stoneham for ensuring the safety and stopping ability of the vehicle by its generous donation.

151 Main Street, Stoneham, MA 02180   781-438-9160

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AmericanMuscle.com has graciously agreed to support Project Fallen Hero!

American Muscle has donated a complete set of Tires and Wheels for Project Fallen Hero. These are really going to look sharp on the finished vehicle!  This is a wonderful development! The Project Fallen Hero team appreciates American Muscle's contributions to the project. More recently, American Muscle has donated a complete set of carpeting for the car.  Project Fallen Hero is whole-heartedly grateful for American Muscle's extreme generosity.

866-727-1266

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Prestige Mustang has also donated many parts needed for this restoration of Maj. Calero's Mustang.  Some of these are parts we have been trying to find for a year or more.  Project: Fallen Hero is deeply grateful to Prestige Mustang for their generous contributions to the project.

866-45-STANG (78264)

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The passenger side front suspension and steering with new strut, spring, lower control arm/ball joint, tie-rod end, brake disc, caliper and pads.

TMI Products has shipped the cartons pictures above to Project Fallen Hero !!!

The cartons contain new upholstery for the front and rear seats and headrests, new seat foam for the front seats, new sun visors, new door upholstered panels, and a new headliner for the car.  These will be installed once the car is out of painting.  This is going to be great!

The Lynn Vocational Technical Institute students are hard at work on Project Fallen Hero !  THANK YOU !!!

The instructors are also involved !  Thank you, too!

Attention to details will pay off in the finished product !

Getting ready for the paint booth !

In the paint booth - smoothing the primer in prep for the color coats of black !

The car just before the ceremony handing the car back to Project Fallen Hero.

The car arriving and the hand-back ceremony on March 29, 2012.  Project Fallen Hero would like to express extreme gratitude to all of the Lynn Tech students, faculty and administration who made this transformation possible!