Omaha, Neb. – A wrapped special-edition 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, signed by veterans, their family members, and supporters, was sold – twice – at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction April 7 and raised $1,000,200 for Wounded Warriors Family Support.
“Wounded Warriors Family Support is a small, independent non-profit organization that provides support to the families of U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who have been wounded, injured, or killed during combat operations,” said Col. John Folsom, founder. “We are so grateful for the generous support of the auction participants and the American people. We are especially grateful for the team at Barrett-Jackson for their tremendous help. The money raised through this auction will enable us to help military families in so many ways.”
At the auction, Col. Folsom spoke to the crowd about the hundreds of signatures on the car. President Barack Obama’s signature is not among them, he said, but the car is signed by people from all across America.
“I am saddened that a handful of detractors have unfairly taken my comment about ‘real Americans’ out of context to start a controversy,” Col. Folsom said. “I meant to say that the car was signed by Americans who were not celebrities. I was not intending to be disrespectful to our President.”
In fact, Col. Folsom has posted comments thanking Mrs. Obama for her work with military families, and he was invited to meet with members of her staff in June of 2010 about Wounded Warrior Family Support programs.
On June 25, 2012, Col. Folsom will begin the third annual nationwide High Five Tour with a 2012 Mustang GT500. On the 48-state tour, Col. Folsom intends to meet as many Americans as possible and thank them for their support of military families who have given so much.
“The High Five Tour will make a stop in Washington, D.C., on July 7. I would be honored to have President Obama sign the 2012 car,” Col. Folsom added.
GT500 Charity Mustang
Source: PRNewswire / Wounded Warriors Family Support
