-
Home
-
Latest Headlines
-
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
-
Latest Headlines: Moto-Racing
-
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Automotive Lifestyle
AUTOS: Blinded-Veterans Charity Psyches Up The Auction Crowd At Barrett-Jackson
Marine who lost his sight in Iraq helps rouse bidders in chrome-Mercedes-roadster sale for a cause that provides guide dogs to veterans.
A 2004 Mercedes-Benz 600SL entirely encased in chrome was sold to benefit Paws for Patriots. (Photo: Bob Golfen)
The Mercedes-Benz 600SL gleams with mirrored reflections, its entire body chrome-plated and shining so brightly that it can sear your eyes as it sits under the lights at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction stage.
The irony is rich, since this 2004 convertible was auctioned for a charity that helps those who can no longer see: U.S. military veterans blinded in action.
The charity, Paws for Patriots, provides guide dogs and training for the wounded veterans, a cause that roused the Palm Beach auction crowd to standing ovations and a sale of $155,000. As always with charity sales, Barrett-Jackson waives its fees to that all the money goes to the worthy cause.
The sale was boosted by the appearance and comments of Marine Corporal Michael Jernigan of St. Petersburg, Fla., who was blinded in 2004 by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Iraq. He stood on stage with the scars of his grievous wounds lividly visible, in full dress uniform and accompanied by his golden retriever/labrador guide dog, Brittani, who sat patiently by his side.
His left eye is gone and he wears a prosthetic eye on the right side. I broad scar spans his head from ear to ear. His right hand is missing fingers. Jernigan also suffered severe leg injuries in the blast that killed one Marine and also injured several others.
His guide dog has been a life saver, he said, helping him cope with his recovery and adapt to his new life.
“I could have never made it without Brittani,” Jernigan told the crowd, provoking yet another round of cheering.
Jernigan was given his guide dog and training through a generous donation by Southeastern Guide Dogs of South Florida (www.guidedogs.org). The action prompted the organization to set up Paws for Patriots to continue serving other blinded veterans.
Paws for Patriots, which is administered by the Doug Mansfield Foundation Trust, will use the money from the chrome-Mercedes sale to provide dogs and training for veterans in need.
The "Chrome Edition" Mercedes roadster is quite a car in its own right, a V12-powered beauty built by RENNtech with a load of performance upgrades. The car has appeared in numerous custom-car shows around the country, including SEMA in Las Vegas.
Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at
The irony is rich, since this 2004 convertible was auctioned for a charity that helps those who can no longer see: U.S. military veterans blinded in action.
The charity, Paws for Patriots, provides guide dogs and training for the wounded veterans, a cause that roused the Palm Beach auction crowd to standing ovations and a sale of $155,000. As always with charity sales, Barrett-Jackson waives its fees to that all the money goes to the worthy cause.
The sale was boosted by the appearance and comments of Marine Corporal Michael Jernigan of St. Petersburg, Fla., who was blinded in 2004 by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Iraq. He stood on stage with the scars of his grievous wounds lividly visible, in full dress uniform and accompanied by his golden retriever/labrador guide dog, Brittani, who sat patiently by his side.
His left eye is gone and he wears a prosthetic eye on the right side. I broad scar spans his head from ear to ear. His right hand is missing fingers. Jernigan also suffered severe leg injuries in the blast that killed one Marine and also injured several others.
His guide dog has been a life saver, he said, helping him cope with his recovery and adapt to his new life.
“I could have never made it without Brittani,” Jernigan told the crowd, provoking yet another round of cheering.
Jernigan was given his guide dog and training through a generous donation by Southeastern Guide Dogs of South Florida (www.guidedogs.org). The action prompted the organization to set up Paws for Patriots to continue serving other blinded veterans.
Paws for Patriots, which is administered by the Doug Mansfield Foundation Trust, will use the money from the chrome-Mercedes sale to provide dogs and training for veterans in need.
The "Chrome Edition" Mercedes roadster is quite a car in its own right, a V12-powered beauty built by RENNtech with a load of performance upgrades. The car has appeared in numerous custom-car shows around the country, including SEMA in Las Vegas.
Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at
Lamborghini 50th Anniversary Parade
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTOMOTIVE
-
GREEN: Porsche Adding All-Model Hybrids
Gas/electric plug-versions of its entire lineup – including… -
AUTOS: Porsche Boosts 918 Spyder Power
The upcoming supercar will produce 887 horsepower from its gas/electric… -
AUTOS: Acura NSX Details Revealed
The rebirth of the mid-engine sports car – now an all-wheel-drive… -
DRIVEN: Jaguar’s Many-Splendored XJ
The British luxury sedan comes in 10 different flavors, with plenty… -
AUTOS: Lamborghini Egoista Launched
The wild single-seat concept car is unveiled at the end of the epic… -
AUTOS: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Hot Pontiac G8
NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick helped his driver modify the 2009… -
VINTAGE: A Fast Historic Tour Of France
Vintage race and touring cars compete in the 22nd annual Tour de… - More News
