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A Tribute to the Heroes of 9/11
September 12, 2011 at 8:31 am
The date 9/11 is seared forever in the memory of most Americans. On that date in 2001, hijacked airliners crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Shanksville, Pa., killing nearly 3,000 people. In the midst of that tragedy, many heroes emerged. Perhaps the most courageous were the first responders – fire, police and EMS technicians – who raced to the scenes to try to rescue as many people as possible.
As we approached the 10th anniversary of 9/11, GM commissioned the next vehicle in a series honoring American heroes. World-renowned airbrush artist Mickey Harris and a crew of specialists took on the task of commemorating those first responders who gave their lives while trying to save others.
Maurice Rogers, Greg Fodness and Mickey Harris (l-to-r) alongside the First Responder Tribute Chevrolet Silverado at Ground Zero in New York
The First Responder Chevrolet is the result of more than four months of work by Mickey and his support team. They created a vehicle that tells the story of what happened that day and pays tribute to the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for their dedication to duty.
In addition to the powerful artwork on both sides of the truck, the First Responder Chevrolet Silverado has significant images on the engine hood and the tonneau cover over the pickup bed. To better display those images, Greg Fodness of Mountain Muscle Cars engineered special power reverse-opening hinges that lift the hood and cover to highlight some of Mickey’s work. Greg said it was “an extreme challenge” to engineer the hood to open in reverse.
The company, Street Dreams by Ross, donated the hinges for the hood, and the owner of the company flew down to Tennessee in his own plane to assist in the installation of the hood. Greg said that his team put in between 750 and 900 hours to make the truck look the way it does, “and we were happy to do it because it is a first responder tribute.”
While the images on the hood and sides of the truck convey the horror of 9/11, the tonneau cover carries the tribute to the fallen first responders. It lists the names of each of the 441 first responders who died trying to help others. Mickey said that putting the names on the cover was a simple process of placing a computer-generated template on the cover, and then spray painting the area. However, it got much tougher when he had to go back and – by hand – create the negative space or open space in letters such as “a” “b” “d” “o”, and other letters. As he went through that process, he thought about each of the lives lost and he would cry.
A statement from General Motors says, “It is important that GM express its heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women – the first responders, law enforcement and military – who serve and protect our country and we are proud to count some GM employees among their ranks. Their dedication and vigilance helps to preserve the freedom and opportunity that give America its strength.” The First Responder Chevrolet Silverado serves as a lasting tribute to them.
One part of the truck we haven’t discussed yet is the tailgate. Mickey says something happened after he had already started working on the artwork that made him change the art on the tailgate. We’ll tell you about that in our next edition of Faces of GM.
Sandra
Sep 12th, 2011
Great job, well done. What a awesome story being shared in art work. Great job Mickey and to all those who helped.
Mary
Sep 12th, 2011
Thank you so much, Mickey. What a beautiful tribute! You have captured what the nation feels for all those touched first-hand by 9/11. We will never forget!!
SarahRSM
Sep 12th, 2011
what a wonderfully thoughtful tribute…thank you, GM.
Debbie Teel
Sep 12th, 2011
Mickey,
We can’t say enough about what you and your team accomplished with this First Responder truck. Thank God we have an artist like you who gives 1000 percent so that all of us never forget those who died or suffered. There aren’t enough words to describe the emotions you feel as you look at the truck and then hear you describe what it represents. If this doesn’t bring tears to your eyes there is something wrong. What an amazing contribution and I am so proud that you also give 1000 percent to our military men and women personally. Everyone needs to thank our men and women in every aspect of service to our country. Thanks for being such a role model!!
Paul
Sep 12th, 2011
If you’re interested in seeing our previous story with Mickey, you can visit it here: http://www.facesofgm.com/2011/07/05/mickey-harris-art-honoring-america/
He talks about the “Strength and Honor” Chevrolet Camaro he painted. It has been displayed all over the country, including the Indianpolis 500.
Michelle Zonca
Sep 12th, 2011
Beautiful story! Amazing artwork! What an amazing way to remember those that unselfishly gave their lives that day!
Kim Carpenter
Sep 12th, 2011
Very special truck — makes me proud to be an American.
John Behrent
Sep 14th, 2011
I am very proud to say that I personally know each of the guys that worked on this vehicle. I know that they poured their hearts into this project. Great job guys!!
Sam G
Sep 14th, 2011
To Mickey and Muscle Mountain, what a great tribute to America and our fallen. Thank you to GM for supplying the truck for this creation. It is amazingly beautiful and heart touching.
RD Herring
Sep 15th, 2011
My wife & I had the privilege of being invited to the local preview of the First Responder Chevrolet at Mountain Muscle Cars where it was unveiled for the fire fighters and LEO’s from surrounding counties. Greg Fodness and Mickey Harris are doing world-class work right here in East TN.
Remember those who still willingly walk into harm’s way for the benefit of others.
A Silverado Tribute to the Heroes of 9/11 - Driving The Heartland
Sep 15th, 2011
[...] GM commissioned Mickey to paint the “First Responder Chevrolet” to honor those who were first responders to the World Trade Center in New York City. The images on the Silverado are a result of four months of Mickey’s hard work and feature firefighters, police officers and patriotic symbols. The truck even has the names of each of the 441 first responders who died while saving others in the World Trade Center towers. [...]
Doug Latimer
Oct 1st, 2011
We saw this truck today at the State Fair of Texas today, 9/30/2011. What a beautiful tribue to the first responders of 9/11.
My son is a fireman/paramedic and we also lost a fireman this summer in a fire and this was very emotional to see. But it is a great piece of work and a very good tribute.
First Responder Tribute Part 2 | mickeyharrisart.com
Oct 1st, 2011
[...] While Mickey does have a general idea of what he’s going to portray on a vehicle as he starts airbrushing, he admits that he adjusts as he goes along. He said that while it’s a process, “other references, other things, other ideas come up” as he’s working on a project, and “the creativity happens as you go.” You can see an example of that spontaneous creativity when you look at the tailgate of the First Responders Silverado. The numbers “5-1-11” are on the top right corner. Mickey shares, “It’s the date we got Osama bin Laden. Read more at Faces of GM. [...]
Cindy George
Oct 25th, 2011
This is so awesome. Certainly tugs at your heart strings!
Joe Mauriello
Jan 19th, 2012
Mickey,we hope you got the Cook County Sheriff’s Police shoulder patch that we sent you! I know it will be a fine addition to your excellent masterpiece!