Charlie's Mustang
It was the winter of 1965, and Charlie Miller and Mike Gifford were, like a
lot of other young men, subject to the Selective Service Draft, wanting to
be inducted together.
After all, there is great security in friendship, especially when your home
is in southern Ohio, for parts unknown halfway around the world.
Tight on cue, both had passed their physicals and were to be inducted.
At that time, in addition to his family, Charlie would be leaving something
else behind. Charlie was the proud owner of a 1965 Mustang 2 plus 2
high performance Fastback. In short, he was the envy of a lot of guys.
Mike Gifford remembers that day in December very well. Charlie and
Mike were to be inducted in Ashland, KY. As it turned out, Charlie was
to be the only one to continue the journey.
"As my name was called to go to the bus, I was stopped and told that I
would be called later." Gifford said. "Charlie's name was then called and
he went through the door. I remember Charlie turning to me as he was
going through the door, smiled and said, "Mike, you are so lucky."
It would be the last time the two friends would ever see each other. Mike
returned home and Charlie eventually traveled to Vietnam where in early
1967 he became one of America's fallen heroes.
"He gave his life for me because he took my place, and he gave his life
for his country," Gifford said.
Charlie's Mustang remained parked in his mother's yard for decades.
Mike decided Charlie had been so proud of the car, he {Gifford}
acquired the Mustang and turned it over to Andy Mann, an Ironton
Marine, who, for the next two years, went through the process of
rebuilding it completely.
"He rebuilt it to its original state - two four-barrels and all." Gifford said.
"Everything form top to bottom is like Charlie had it and now we can take
it to parades and car shows to remember all of our American heroes."
Gifford said bonding with the Mustang has given his life new meaning.
lot of other young men, subject to the Selective Service Draft, wanting to
be inducted together.
After all, there is great security in friendship, especially when your home
is in southern Ohio, for parts unknown halfway around the world.
Tight on cue, both had passed their physicals and were to be inducted.
At that time, in addition to his family, Charlie would be leaving something
else behind. Charlie was the proud owner of a 1965 Mustang 2 plus 2
high performance Fastback. In short, he was the envy of a lot of guys.
Mike Gifford remembers that day in December very well. Charlie and
Mike were to be inducted in Ashland, KY. As it turned out, Charlie was
to be the only one to continue the journey.
"As my name was called to go to the bus, I was stopped and told that I
would be called later." Gifford said. "Charlie's name was then called and
he went through the door. I remember Charlie turning to me as he was
going through the door, smiled and said, "Mike, you are so lucky."
It would be the last time the two friends would ever see each other. Mike
returned home and Charlie eventually traveled to Vietnam where in early
1967 he became one of America's fallen heroes.
"He gave his life for me because he took my place, and he gave his life
for his country," Gifford said.
Charlie's Mustang remained parked in his mother's yard for decades.
Mike decided Charlie had been so proud of the car, he {Gifford}
acquired the Mustang and turned it over to Andy Mann, an Ironton
Marine, who, for the next two years, went through the process of
rebuilding it completely.
"He rebuilt it to its original state - two four-barrels and all." Gifford said.
"Everything form top to bottom is like Charlie had it and now we can take
it to parades and car shows to remember all of our American heroes."
Gifford said bonding with the Mustang has given his life new meaning.
Mike Gifford is one of those who had a heart to serve his country in the
armed forces, but was turned down at the last minute. Though he did not
get to serve in active duty, he has served his community and country well
over the years. He has gone above and beyond the call of duty as he
has reached out to the homeless, needy veterans and others that are in
need.
Because of his dedication to serving, he was inducted into the Honorary
Veterans Program in 2006 by Commander John D. Foster. Mike has
served in Veterans Helping Veterans & Others since it's beginning as
Vice Commander representing the civilians who are helped through the
program.
During a memorial service at Jonathan Etterling's grave side, Mike wrote
a song about Charlie and our fallen hero's. The song tells the story of
Charlie's Mustang and salutes our veterans for all the sacrifices they
make.
armed forces, but was turned down at the last minute. Though he did not
get to serve in active duty, he has served his community and country well
over the years. He has gone above and beyond the call of duty as he
has reached out to the homeless, needy veterans and others that are in
need.
Because of his dedication to serving, he was inducted into the Honorary
Veterans Program in 2006 by Commander John D. Foster. Mike has
served in Veterans Helping Veterans & Others since it's beginning as
Vice Commander representing the civilians who are helped through the
program.
During a memorial service at Jonathan Etterling's grave side, Mike wrote
a song about Charlie and our fallen hero's. The song tells the story of
Charlie's Mustang and salutes our veterans for all the sacrifices they
make.
| P. Mike Gifford Honorary Veteran Veterans Helping Veterans & Others. |
| Click Here For Home Page |
| Charlie Miller Killed in Vietam 1967 |
Friends and family
gathered at the car
show in Piketon where
Charlie was born and
raised to see his car
last summer. [2009]
gathered at the car
show in Piketon where
Charlie was born and
raised to see his car
last summer. [2009]
Mike and Charlie's brother
is pictured to the right
holding a Vietnam flag
map in the area where
Charlie was killed.
is pictured to the right
holding a Vietnam flag
map in the area where
Charlie was killed.
Charlie's Mustang is parked where it sat
for 30 years after his death.
for 30 years after his death.
During a car show put on by the American
Legion in Portsmouth, Mike won his first trophy
for Charlie's Mustang. He said it wasn't his
trophy, it was Charlie's and all the veterans who
have served and given their lives for our freedom
in the greatest nation on earth.
Legion in Portsmouth, Mike won his first trophy
for Charlie's Mustang. He said it wasn't his
trophy, it was Charlie's and all the veterans who
have served and given their lives for our freedom
in the greatest nation on earth.