American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2006 – CNN is putting an overhauled Humvee that saw action during the war in Iraq on the auction block and will donate the proceeds to the Fisher House Foundation.
Nicknamed “Warrior One,” the Humvee will be the subject of an upcoming episode of “Overhaulin’,” a highly rated program on The Learning Channel. The program’s co-hosts, Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “A.J.” Janic, and hot rod designer Chip Foose presented the refurbished Humvee to CNN employees.
After Warrior One tours military bases and other sites across the country, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., a classic car auction house, will auction the vehicle Jan. 20 at its headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz.
“The crew from “Overhaulin’” has created a memorable tribute to military personnel who serve during times of war and the journalists who cover them,” said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. “We feel the Fisher House – with its mission to support military families during times of medical need – is an ideal recipient for the proceeds raised by the auction.”
Fisher Houses provide temporary residences for families of patients receiving major medical care at military and Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Since its founding in 1991, Fisher Houses have offered more than 2 million days of lodging to more than 100,000 families. Presently, the organization operates 33 houses in 16 states, plus two houses in Europe.
“We are delighted to learn of CNN’s efforts to honor America’s heroes – its servicemen and women wounded in the global war on terrorism,” Ken Fisher, chairman of the Fisher House Foundation, said. “The visibility that will result from this initiative will help Americans understand the selfless sacrifices of the men and women who risk their lives to defend and protect us.”
The Fisher House Foundation is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that highlights ways Americans and the corporate sector support the nation’s military.
CNN purchased the vehicle in 2002 from the King Humvee dealership in Kuwait. Network producers, video journalists and correspondents used the vehicle in 2003 when they were embedded with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, in Iraq. In April of that year, the vehicle came under heavy fire near Baghdad as Iraqis celebrated the arrival of coalition forces in the city.
This summer, “Overhaulin’” took the Humvee to the show’s workshop in Irvine, Calif., where crews overhauled the Humvee’s engine and body and installed an extensive entertainment system that includes a DVD player, four LCD monitors and a state-of-the-art sound system. Airbrush artists Dru Blaier, Mickey Harris and Mike Lavallee painted images of journalists and military men and women onto the vehicle as a tribute to those who served during the war in Iraq or covered the war.
The “Overhaulin’” program featuring the Humvee will premiere on TLC on Nov. 14 at 9 p.m. EST.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2006 – CNN is putting an overhauled Humvee that saw action during the war in Iraq on the auction block and will donate the proceeds to the Fisher House Foundation.
Nicknamed “Warrior One,” the Humvee will be the subject of an upcoming episode of “Overhaulin’,” a highly rated program on The Learning Channel. The program’s co-hosts, Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “A.J.” Janic, and hot rod designer Chip Foose presented the refurbished Humvee to CNN employees.
After Warrior One tours military bases and other sites across the country, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., a classic car auction house, will auction the vehicle Jan. 20 at its headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz.
“The crew from “Overhaulin’” has created a memorable tribute to military personnel who serve during times of war and the journalists who cover them,” said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. “We feel the Fisher House – with its mission to support military families during times of medical need – is an ideal recipient for the proceeds raised by the auction.”
Fisher Houses provide temporary residences for families of patients receiving major medical care at military and Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Since its founding in 1991, Fisher Houses have offered more than 2 million days of lodging to more than 100,000 families. Presently, the organization operates 33 houses in 16 states, plus two houses in Europe.
“We are delighted to learn of CNN’s efforts to honor America’s heroes – its servicemen and women wounded in the global war on terrorism,” Ken Fisher, chairman of the Fisher House Foundation, said. “The visibility that will result from this initiative will help Americans understand the selfless sacrifices of the men and women who risk their lives to defend and protect us.”
The Fisher House Foundation is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that highlights ways Americans and the corporate sector support the nation’s military.
CNN purchased the vehicle in 2002 from the King Humvee dealership in Kuwait. Network producers, video journalists and correspondents used the vehicle in 2003 when they were embedded with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, in Iraq. In April of that year, the vehicle came under heavy fire near Baghdad as Iraqis celebrated the arrival of coalition forces in the city.
This summer, “Overhaulin’” took the Humvee to the show’s workshop in Irvine, Calif., where crews overhauled the Humvee’s engine and body and installed an extensive entertainment system that includes a DVD player, four LCD monitors and a state-of-the-art sound system. Airbrush artists Dru Blaier, Mickey Harris and Mike Lavallee painted images of journalists and military men and women onto the vehicle as a tribute to those who served during the war in Iraq or covered the war.
The “Overhaulin’” program featuring the Humvee will premiere on TLC on Nov. 14 at 9 p.m. EST. 
