Fort Stewart Soldiers Show Off Cars

By Spc. Gaelen Lowers, 3rd Sustainment Bde. Public AffairsJune 12, 2009

Fort Stewart BOSS Car Show
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Stewart BOSS Cars
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - For Sgt. Terry Murphy, working on cars is more than just a hobby - it's a lifestyle. His 1972 Chevy Vega turns heads everywhere he goes, he said.

The 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldier said he was first introduced to cars by his father, who took him to car shows and drag races as a child.

Cars have helped Sgt. Murphy and his father bond. Additionally, the Marne Soldier has made lifelong friends working on cars and has learned many life lessons.

Soldiers like Sgt. Murphy are the reason why the Fort Stewart Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers program held its first car show, Saturday, at the parking lot of the Sgt. First Class Paul R. Smith Army Education Center.

The show drew in more than 100 participants.

"We held the show because these Soldiers work so hard on their cars," said Staff Sgt. Phillip Phinisee, vice president of the Fort Stewart BOSS program.

"They go on deployments and miss their cars so much while they are gone. We wanted to give them a forum to display the cars that they put so much work into."

The show featured cars, motorcycles and live music. The vehicles were judged in a rolling judge style competition, which means drivers drove up one at time, opened up their vehicles and showed off to the judges. The winners of the each category received a trophy and photos. The winners were:

Best paint job on a car or truck: "Cue"

Best paint job on a bike: Matt Bowers

Best interior on a car or truck: Burell Combs

Best old school: Mike Shepard

Best domestic (modification): Andrew Guieher

Best foreign (modification): Ron Apt

Best truck/SUV: John Shaft

Best overall bike: Kyle Evans

Best in show: Blue Heaven

Best club: 3MC

Although, Sgt. Murphy did not win any category, he is not discouraged and said he will participate next year. He said that events like this bring a lot to the military and helps Soldiers get out of the barracks.

Civilians enjoyed the event too. The Soldiers and the local community mingled throughout the event.

"The camaraderie between the Hinesville citizens and the Soldiers was tremendous," said Staff Sgt. Phinisee. "Everyone comes together when you talk about one subject like cars. If you have a love for cars, then you have common ground to stand on."