Homage to a Hero
This page is a dedication to all the warriors who served, and especially those who served and never returned.
It is rare that you meet someone in my line of work that makes you realize what you are doing for them is greatly appreciated. It is a rare thing when that happens. But when it does happen, you never forget that person. I met Wayne Dobos when I worked at Don's Hot Rods. I had the pleasure of doing metal work on his Fiat. I knew the minute I shook Wayne's hand that he was not like our average customers. He spoke with us, the team of fabricators who was actually doing the work. He wanted our input, and to also make sure we understood what he wanted. To me that made a huge difference when it came to working on his car, and how it turned out. It is funny how something as simple as doing metal work on an old Fiat can form a lasting friendship, but it did.
I learned a lot about Wayne over the previous years. Enough to make my respect for him as a friend and a Veteran grow even stronger. Wayne first mentioned to me the stories about the gun truck he drove during the Vietnam war not long after I first met him. It was important to me know to hear about the what happened during that war. I was only 4 years old when the war ended, so all I knew about the conflict was what I had been taught in school. Which wasn't much in that respect. The best form of knowledge is first hand knowledge. So there is no better place to get it than from someone who was there. My Uncle wasn't comfortable talking about his experiences during the war. I must admit I was surprised that Wayne was. I was also very glad he decided to do so when he and I talked.
Wayne was honored with the chance to once again come face to face with vehicle he had spent so much time with during the war. The 5 ton Gun Truck that became known as The Red Baron. Roger Jarram, and Fred Cornwell built an awesome replica of the Red Baron Truck that Wayne himself was so personally involved with creating during the Vietnam War. Wayne was a huge contributor to the replication and recreation of the born again Red Baron Gun Truck, supplying photos , as well as detailed information of the original truck. To show there gratitude, Roger and Fred arranged for Wayne to be flown to Europe for the trucks debut at the 2009 War and Peace Show this past summer. Below are photos of the Original as well as the replica Red Baron Vietnam War Era Gun Truck. This page is my gift to Wayne for the service and sacrifice that he and so many others like him, have given for the freedoms that all us Americans enjoy. Thanks Wayne.
The Original Red Baron
A book on Gunt Trucks feturing the Red Baron
The Red Baron ( Newly Built Reproduction )
Wayne with the Red Baron
