OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Left virtually speechless by his new Nissan Maxima, Zachary Thomas could hardly express his gratitude.
“This is more than enough for me,” he said.
“I’ve always said he’s my saving grace,” said Jacqueline Thomas, Zachary’s mother.
Zach’s mom wrote a note to Cars 4 Heroes explaining why her son, an Army veteran who survived a roadside bomb explosion, deserves a four-wheeled hand up.
“He’s been through so much, and he’s more deserving, it’s just out of the love for him and everything he’s been through,” Jacqueline said.
Zach enlisted in the Army. He’d had his heart set on being a career soldier since he was a boy.
“We were on the Iranian border running interdiction, stopping people from smuggling weapons and jihadists across the border,” Zachary said.
Meanwhile his mother and brothers were back in Overland Park — homeless. They’ve since found a place to live, but struggle with finding work.
As for Zach, when he returned, he suffered from PTSD and struggled to get his life back on track. Still, he says he doesn’t regret his service in the Army.
With the car, Zach will look for a better-paying job to take care of his son, Tyler, and daughter Isabelle.
“I love them to death. They’re my everything,” he said.
And with a new set of wheels, he hopes to give everything and more to his family.
“This kind of thing never happens to me,” he said. “I’m not one to ever ask for help, but I’m a giver, not a taker, so just thank you to everyone. This has changed my life.”
To help Cars 4 Heroes, go to their website: www.cars4heroes.org.
