December 21, 2004

A 1968 CAMARO HEALS THE SCARS OF WAR AND RENEWS THE BOND BETWEEN A SON AND THE HERO FATHER HE LOST -- A SPECIAL REPORT ON THE CBS EVENING NEWS SERIES "FALLEN HEROES" STARTING DEC. 22

If Lance Colton could have whatever he wished for Christmas, he'd want his father alive again, a hero helicopter gunner killed in Iraq last spring. But the 12-year-old will be still getting a great gift from his dad and an army of sympathizers who helped make it possible: a fully restored 1968 Camaro, the project he and his father couldn't finish because he was killed in action. The two-part story of Lance, his father Shane, the helpers and the yellow Camaro will be reported by correspondent Lee Cowan on successive nights on the CBS EVENING NEWS beginning Wednesday, Dec. 22 (5:30-6:00 PM CT, 6:30-7:00 PM, ET/PT).

The CBS EVENING NEWS first reported the story of Lance and his father back in September as part of its continuing series dedicated to soldiers killed in Iraq called "Fallen Heroes." An outpouring of sympathy resulted. Besides companies offering the raw material needed to complete the restoration, many individuals, including a soldier recently returned from Iraq and a man who once restored cars with his own son, now deceased, offered to help.

Working with Lance on the Camaro helped the veteran to forget the horrors of war and the former car enthusiast to remember the son he lost. Lance realized the dream he once shared with a father he no longer has physically, but will never forget -- his spirit embodied forever in a classic car his son will drive with pride and remembrance when he turns 16.

A TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS, PLEASE CREDIT THE CBS EVENING NEWS:

CBS EVENING NEWS WED. DEC. 22, 2004
Part One

(NARR: over home video working on car)

In their garage in Texas, it's hard to tell who was the kid -- the father or the son.

(NAT/SOT cover top with more home video )

Lance Colton from Home video: "We had a race to see who could take apart their part of the engine fastest. He cheated. He made me sweep up the floor (laughing)."

(NARR: home video)

But when duty called Lance's father back to Iraq -- the joking stopped -- and so did the restoration of their '68 Camaro.

(More)

CBS News......2

Lee Cowan: "What did your Dad tell you when he left?

Lance Colton: We'll fix it again when he gets back."

(NARR: vo cemetery, still pictures of Shane Colton getting into chopper)

Lee Cowan narration: He never came back -- Shane Colton was shot down over Baghdad. Lance found out on Easter Sunday.

Lee Cowan: "How do you deal with that? Especially being as young as you are?

Lance Colton: I keep it locked up in a trunk with two huge chains around it.

Lee Cowan: You don't talk about it?

Lance Colton: No."

(Cowan NARRATION:)

It wasn't any easier for his mother.

Inge Colton "It was hard for me to go into the garage.

Lee Cowan: Is it still?

Inge Colton: Yes."

NAT/SOT ROLLING CAR OUT....

(Cowan NARRATION:)

But that's all beginning to change.

Lance's mom thought her husband's valor deserved more than medals and mentions in the local newspaper -- so she told us about her loss...

(From CBS EVE NEWS Sept 1, 2004)

Dan Rather : He loved restoring cars. He and 11-year-old son, Lance, were working on a Camaro."

(Cowan NARRATION:)

So many people were so moved -- that a flood of tears became a flood of volunteers....

(More)

CBS News...3

(NAT/SOT 00:19:46)

"We need all the chrome on the outside, emblems, door handles..."

(Cowan NARRATION over kids sanding, working on car etc.)

Before long -- car clubs, parts dealers, college shop classes -- you name it -- were all offering to help finish the $30 thousand dollar restoration project -- just the way Lance's Dad had dreamed.

Alex Tainsh of SOFFSEAL CO:

"This guy gave the ultimate sacrifice and his dream was to finish this car and it's something that we can do, we have the expertise."

Lee Cowan: "It is a classic muscle car in every sense of that word. Not only because it will eventually do 0-60 in about 7 seconds when it's done, but because of the power this project has to rev up a military town in need of a little holiday cheer."

Michael Flynn: "Go ahead." (Engine starts...)

(Cowan NARRATION:)

A spark that ignited at least two of the helpers in ways they never expected. Their story, tomorrow night. Lee Cowan, CBS News Killen.

(CBS Evening News- Thursday Dec. 23, 2004)

Part two

(NAT/SOT LANCE LOOKING UNDER HOOD)

Lance Colton: "It was painted like six different colors..."

(Visual: Lance looking under hood with students)

Lee Cowan: Lance Colton couldn't be more proud of the battered '68 Camaro he's still too young to drive.

( home video, car, Shane Colton)

It was a dream he shared with his dad -- that kept the two tinkering in the garage from morning until night.

(More)

CBS News...4

Inge Colton: "It was almost every day, every spare moment they had."

(Cowan NARRATION:)

But when Lance's father was killed outside Baghdad in April -- that Camaro sat as a sad reminder of a host of unfinished dreams.

Lance Colton: "I feel most sad around the car.

Lee Cowan: Why's that?

Lance Colton: I guess it's the place we spent the most time together."

(Cowan NARRATION:)

But when Lance's Mom told us about her story -- and the word raced out....

...the Calvary in this military town -- quite literally came to the rescue.

B.J. CUMMINGS, Automotive shop Teacher at CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE:

"I would hope that he's looking down on us right now and just grinning really big."

(Cowan NARRATION:)

Donations poured in from all over the country for hard to find parts. And the labor was provided by an auto shop class -- looking to smooth over one of life's roughest spots.

EMILY JONES, STUDENT: "He'll always have the memories of working with his dad, but now he's not going to have to finish it all by himself."

(COWAN ON CAM:)

"What they didn't know was what effect the project would have on them -- exorcising old demons in some cases -- and healing fresh wounds in others."

(Visual: Doug Dombkowski sanding fender)

Cowan NARRATION: Doug Dombkowski just came BACK from Iraq. The project -- is for his friends who didn't.

(More)

CBS News...5

DOUG DOMKOWSKI, AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR STUDENT:

"We're giving something back. Filling another comrades shoes, because he isn't here to do it."

(Cowan NARRATION:)

And then there's Michael Flynn --

(NAT/SOT FLYNN Automotive shop instructor Central Texas College)

Michael Flynn: "I like the opportunity to fill in because I don't have a son anymore."

(Cowan NARRATION:)

He used to restore cars with his son too...until Michael Junior was killed in an auto accident.

Cowan NARRATION: A recovering alcoholic, he admits he drank most of the time he had with his son away. This project offers him a second chance.

Michael Flynn: "I can see some of the mistakes that I made with my son that I'll have a chance to correct this time."

(Cowan NARRATION:)

Lance's mother is simply overwhelmed.

Inge Colton: "It's hard to put into words what you really want to say because sometimes 'thank you' really isn't enough."

(Cowan NARRATION: visual Lance behind the wheel)

A collection of gifts that have the younger Colton back at the wheel -- with his Dad's memory at his side -- and the good deeds of strangers, along for the ride. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Killeen.

ENDS

Press Contact:????????????????????????Kevin Tedesco? 212/975-2329? kev@cbsnews.com