Vehicle graphics for memorial to fallen troops

[phototec]

I have a customer who's husband is coming home from Afghanistan next week and he lost four of his fellow soldiers over there. She just bought him a new Jeep for a coming home present and wants to put some kind of memorial graphics on the Jeep.


Anyone here done something like this (have any photos)? I could use some ideas to get the creative juices flowing.


Thanks

 

[Pat Whatley]

Is she sure he wants to drive around in something that reminds him of that constantly?

 

[DougWestwood]

He will never forget

Is she sure he wants to drive around in something that reminds him of that constantly?

Most often, a soldier in that position will never forget. He will also likely feel guilty that he survived and others didn't.
A memorial on his vehicle might help him every time he sees it.

Personally, I would go with the emblem of whichever service branch he was in (Army, Marines ...).
The branch slogan (such as "Semper Fi") would be appropriate. Not too big, and maybe just on the back,
next to the spare tire (if it's that model Jeep).

Good luck on this job. Thank him for his service.
It is a debt we civilians can never repay.

- Doug
Vancouver

 

[Pete Moss]

I would have his wife feel him out regarding this. It'll get some communication going, which I am sure he needs anyway. It's not unheard of for veterans to feel disdain toward whatever branch of the military they were serving. If that's the case something to honor his friends specifically may be in order. I'm not trying to politicize this one way or the other, I would just gently try to make sure it is something he will appreciate.

 

[Pete Moss]

To add, I've done more of these than I ever wish I had. Too sad. They've ranged from military symbols, helicopters, landscapes, crosses, ribbons, peace signs, and phrases. Usually, it's a ribbon with something to the effect of "You're sacrifice will never be forgotten" & names.

 

[Pat Whatley]

A memorial on his vehicle might help him every time he sees it.

Or it might remind him of a time he'd rather forget and get a lot of questions asked he'd rather not talk about.

 

[Pete Moss]

I've been thinking about your post over lunch. It's such a tough, complicated thing. What I see though, is that most women heal differently than men. Not to sound sexist, I just believe that's the reality of our emotional makeup. There are always exceptions & she may know exactly what he needs in order to get through this. She also may think that she knows, when in actuality she really doesn't. If this is the case, good luck. I would talk it over with her, delicately & suggest something like an inspirational lyric from a band he likes. It could have to do with what he's been through, it could just be something positive & uplifting. Maybe a cool custom graphic to go with it. Just a thought.

 

[nikdoobs]

I have a customer who's husband is coming home from Afghanistan next week and he lost four of his fellow soldiers over there. She just bought him a new Jeep for a coming home present and wants to put some kind of memorial graphics on the Jeep.


Anyone here done something like this (have any photos)? I could use some ideas to get the creative juices flowing.


Thanks

Keep it simple. Wrap it in matte army green vinyl. I've seen a few jeeps with this. It looks awesome.

 

[SIGNTIME]

I would suggest having her give him a gift certificate to your shop and let him decide what he wants, he may rather have something non-military related as other have said.

 

[Gino]

I think perhaps a realistic fist holding four dog tags in a small place on the vehicle would do the trick. If not, just four dog tags suspended from something.

Thank him and his fallen friends for their service. ​

 

[knucklehead]

Soldiers cross, maybe names under it? Maybe right in the middle of the hood?

 

[phototec]

Is she sure he wants to drive around in something that reminds him of that constantly?

Pat, first off if you haven't served in the military you probably will not understand this kind of thing? Many soldiers get tats to memorialize their fallen comrades (see photos below).

I served in Vietnam for 18 months and we lost fellow soldiers in my unit, and in total we (Americans), lost over 58,000 soldiers during the Vietnam war.

Anyway, back to the subject, her husband is the one requesting the memorial decal, he even sent her a sketch of what he wants.

So, I have a little more info now, it's just a small badge (decal) on the front quarter panel of the Jeep.

Thanks everyone for all the ideas

 

[rjssigns]

Your project deserves a little extra. Dome it.

 

[kheebl]

What did you come up with. I have a lady who is asking for something similar but it is for her son she lost last year overseas.

 

[bulldozer]

it's not exactly a veteran truck, but you can probably pull some ideas off the truck i saw at the state fair 4 years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ_J31FNv9I

 

[Get Lucky]

We did a snowmobile wrap for a vet that got come at the beginning of Sep. I think it turned out okay. He was stoked to get it.