I have mentioned before that I have been wandering around the internet for quite a while.  I was on bulletin boards before the World Wide Web became "the thing".  And I have continued to be active on web forums centered around various topics, from political debate to automotive hobbies. 

There is one place in particular that I have been a member of for quite some time called Pirate 4x4.  It is a four wheel drive forum owned by a club called the Pirates of the Rubicon in California... but that is only a SMALL part of the story of Pirate.  And there is a specific reason I am not providing a direct link to the general forum. 

Pirate is a unique crowd.  They are:

• vulgar
• smart
• talented
• ignorant
• mean-spirited
• vicious
• open
• welcoming
• protective
• amazing
• diverse
• single-minded

This is the place that requires a flame-suit more than any other.  If Pirate were a bar, people would disappear and show up dead or as "crew" on tramp steamers.  The bartender would just shoot people that he didn't like... it would be the nastiest place in town. 

Did I mention that I have been a member of their forum for 7 years?  I love the place. 

Suspension engineers for aftermarket companies (and some mainstream manufacturers) go there to learn.  There are guys that know more about metallurgy than many university departments... and more about welding than a trade school.  There are people that can kick out a Jeep tub (the main part of the body) as a CAD drawing in a couple of hours that would make Chrysler jealous. 

And this is where this post gets to the point. 

I need you to bear with me for a moment...  Go here.

Despite this happening in Texas, Dan at Blue Torch (Pirate regular, and someone I know) decided that this was something that needed to be addressed.  

Project Warrior was born.   

Volunteers from around the country are going to gather in Alabama, at Blue Torch, to rebuild this Jeep into something that will be amazing.  Hardcore 4x4 suppliers from around the world are donating products.  Ian from Extreme 4x4 on Spike TV will be there working on the Jeep. 

The build will be December 5-7th at BTF. 

A few of the vendors ponying up parts are:

• Interco Tires
• PRP Seats
• Rubicon Express Suspensions
• many, many more... 
  

If you choose to follow the link, be careful.  You could get an eyeful.  But, if you are an automotive hobbiest, you might learn some things.  If you are a 4x4 enthusiast... you will definately learn something. 

As I said, they are protective.  They love the men and women that go into harms way.  There is an exceeding level of respect for those in the armed forces.  I do to.  I hope that the coward that perpetrated this will be caught by the police... and not by a Pirate. 

BTW, Dan knows that there will be press.  But, I also know that the press doesn't matter to Dan.  Doing what is right is what matters to Dan.  And there are going to be 100 others there have nothing to gain except knowing that a few members of the military will know that they are appreciated and respected.