Jimmie Deal, a Hearne, Texas, pumper we profiled in Pumper in 2011, is a big advocate for supporting the troops and has detailed his fleet of vacuum trucks in striking American flag graphics. So when he and his car-collecting partner Tony Lehoski saw patriotic-themed 2007 Ford Mustang as it rolled onto the auction floor at the Mecum Auction in Dallas over the weekend, they wanted it.

Then when they learned all proceeds of the sale of the Mustang GT were going to wounded veterans causes, the men were determined to be the high bidders. As you can see in this video of the sale, aired on Velocity by the Discovery Channel Sept. 7, Deal and Lehoski were on top when the gavel struck, paying $100,000 for the car:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0gzM5U_8G4&feature=youtu.be

Deal said there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as wounded veterans helped usher the car to the auction block. The sale was to benefit the Roever Foundation and its Operation Warrior RECONnect program, which among other things, operates the Eagle Summit Ranch in Colorado where wounded veterans go to be recover, get encouragement and training. You can learn more at www.roeverfoundation.org.

The organization’s founder, David Roever, a wounded Vietnam veteran, gave a moving speech before the auction. The message struck a chord with Deal, who is an Army veteran, but said he didn’t serve in combat duty.

“It absolutely moved me. I’m all about supporting the troops,’’ Deal said, praising the men and women who fight to protect America. “Why do they (serve)? They do it for me and you. That’s selfless giving.’’ 

Deal and Lehoski, who have about 130 cars in their collection, are going to show the Mustang at a variety of events to help bring attention to the wounded veterans organization and raise money for the cause. They will start by displaying it at an auto event in Biloxi, Miss., this fall. 

“I spent a couple of hours with these guys and they’re real heroes,’’ Deal said. “I told them, ‘I’m going to do anything I can to put you in the spotlight.’ ”

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