JUNCTION CITY, Kansas -- Wish For Our Heroes partnered with General Motors to provide a deserving Soldier -- Staff Sgt. Jonathan Thompson, an armor crewman in Company C, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division -- with a brand-new Chevrolet Colorado April 14 at Jim Clark Auto Center.
Wish For Our Heroes is a non-profit organization that supports service members and their families in times of undue hardships, according to information from the group.
Thompson and his family originally received the vehicle during the annual Army/ Navy football game in December. His wife, Liz, and 4-year-old daughter, Reese, were invited on the field to receive the keys to the vehicle when Thompson popped out in a surprise homecoming celebration. At the time, Thompson was deployed to Kuwait with his unit.
Willie Thornberg, general manager of Jim Clark Chevrolet-Cadillac, said the Thompsons couldn't drive the truck home that day because Chevrolet had not started producing the Colorado. The company took a two-year production hiatus in 2012 for the Colorado.
"We are very happy to be involved in today's event because a member of our 2nd Bn., 34th Armor family has returned home safely from a deployment to Kuwait," Thornberg said.
He thanked the Thompson family for their service.
"For all that you do, for all of the hardships that you and your family have endured, as well as military families across the globe endure on a daily basis to keep us safe and free, we would like to present you with title and keys to your truck on behalf of GM, Wish For Our Heroes and JCCC," he said.
Thompson, a native of Beauford, Oregon, said his family was very grateful for being selected to receive such a wonderful gift.
"Nothing like this has ever happened to me before," Thompson said. "I would like to thank my family, friends and especially 1st Sgts. McNeil and Mendez for submitting my name and bio to Wish For Our Heroes and GM who made everything possible."
The Thompson family lost everything they owned in a late-night house fire a year ago. He said he was angry about losing everything, but realized that those were only material things and the most important thing was no one in the family was injured.
"We didn't have homeowners insurance and (I) wasn't sure how we would recover from this event," Thompson said. "Our neighbor Meghan Opfer immediately started collect donations to help us replace our furniture and clothing."
Thompson said they had no family or friends in the area, and he was shocked at how the military community came to their aid.
"I was extremely humbled when I found out that my chain of command wanted to submit my name to receive a truck," Thompson said. "I felt like there were other Soldiers that had suffered greater losses than we did."
Jeff Wells, founder of Wish For Our Heroes, said he and his father, a retired Marine, were shocked at how many troops were struggling and they wanted to do something to help.
"We like helping military families," Wells said.
Wells, a former Army captain, said he founded the organization in honor of his father, who passed away in 2009, as a way of helping not only wounded service members but all those struggling and in need of assistance.
"Our troops protect us and someone needs to have their backs, too," Wells said.
Wish For Our Heroes has granted more than 1,725 wishes for service members and their families. Those searching for volunteering opportunities or wanting submit a military family for a wish can visit www.wishforourhereos.org.
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