STOMPER IS STRUTTING HIS STUFF IN VEGAS (SEMA)

Story and pictures by David and Judy Austin

Just a few short months ago Stomper drug himself out from under the collapsed house of the Hutton family, just north of 19th St in the tornado ravished town of Moore, Ok.  Having no idea what his future held, Stomper fearlessly confronted the task that lay before him.  Bruised, bent and broken by the EF5 tornado, our hero trudged forward assisting those that were in need.  Hour after hour our wounded warrior moved forward helping those in need.

For days after the dust had settled, Stomper waited and pondered his future.  Would he end up in the ever growing pile of insurance totaled scrap metal vehicles.  It certainly appeared that could be his future.

While only hoping that by some miracle he could remain with his family and be patched back together and escape the dreaded crusher and just return to a somewhat normal life, he waited.

Not even in his largest dreams could he imagine what was already running around in the mind of Lance Kenyon.

Then facebook erupted with the story and was shortly followed with a feature story on C4X4.COM.  Calls began to be made as the whole world of Off Roading begin to rumble.  Next thing we know Camp Crocker is in the AirAid rig and headed to Moore. Ok. to give a hand with the clean up and rescue our Hero, Rescue Rubi from the Crusher.

Jump ahead a few months and Kustom Koach has completed their masterful works and have preformed more than the miracles that Stomper had dreamed of.  With their skilled body work completed, they are loading Stomper for the trip to Vegas and his spot in the SEMA show.

As C4X4 arrived at the SEMA show we quickly sought out our Hero.  With tips from Lance we locate Stomper standing tall in the entrance area of the South Hall.  We find Stomper slightly blushing from all of the attention that is being received.  In no way were his previous actions he performed in Oklahoma, that rendered him a hero preformed with this type of attention in mind.

C4X4 now has the time to go over the now famed Stomper with a fine toothed comb and admire the fine works of Kustom Koach Works and all other involved have preformed.  We now await the arrival of the Huttons so we can enjoy their reunion with their long lost buddy that has been missed so dearly.

We are allowed to enjoy the moment when they first arrive and see Ricky playing behind the controls of his beloved Stomper.  As well we share in the moments with the group and enjoy the bright eyes and smiling faces of those present.

We enjoy visiting with the onlookers and listen to the discussions as they read over the erected posters which not only tell the Stomper Story but give witness and thanks to all of the companies and individuals that contributed from the depths of their off roading hearts.

So as the SEMA show concluded it would appear that the days are few until our Rescue Rubicon Hero would indeed have his wish of returning home to his family finally come to pass.  But in no way would he be returning home to live out the normal routine life he had dreamed of.  But instead as he drives through the streets and trails of Oklahoma, our hero STOMPER will live on to represent how people care.  And of how they pulled together not only to help victims when they most need it.  But also how others across our great country can pull together to help out a friend that they don't even know and reward him for just doing what is right and answering the call when he is needed.

God Bless all who were involved, and I will leave you to wait with the rest of us, until the STOMPER COMES HOME.

OKIE OUT!!!!!!!

STOMPER'S HOME COMING

Pictures by David Austin and Brian Davis

Well the day is upon us!!!!!   It is November 16th and as announces, the MagnaFlow exhaust Semi is loaded and headed toward Moore, Ok. With STOMPER riding prestigiously in the rear of the rig, the first planed stop will be in Oklahoma City at the Fairgrounds.  There they will meet up with a group of Red Dirt Jeepers and the MagnaFlow truck and the RDJeepers will be escorted by the County Sheriff's department down I-35 and into Moore. 

There, on the street where it all started, Stomper will be reunited with his family in front of friends, neighbors and a whole bunch of his Jeep family.

But let's step back for one moment.  When word got out that STOMPER would be coming through Amarillo, Tx., he got high jacked.  You see the Red Dirt Jeepers have long arms, so a small group of our Texas family found out where he would be stopping for dinner.  So the Homecoming celebration started on Friday night as a few of our Texas family get a quick sneak peak  and conversation with the driver. 

 Now back in Okc. on Saturday morning, Jeeps begin to line the parking lot all awaiting the arrival of Stomper and the Magnaflow carriage.  As the number of Jeeps begin to near the century mark we hear a siren approaching.  The fairgrounds security comes across the tracks escorting the Big Blue Semi.  The driver is then greeted and a few sneak a quick peek inside the trailer.  The logistics are discussed with the sheriff's department.  Then with lights a flashing the parade moves out across Oklahoma City and heads south.  The deputies work in unison through the intersections and down the freeway.  As we reach the Cleveland county line the parade is joined by two Cleveland county deputies that in turn light up our path on into Moore.

Upon arrival to the Hutton's home street we are greeted by a large group of friends, family and yes, more Jeeps.  As the group all find parking around the neighborhood still shows the destruction of the tornado, but also signs of new houses rising from the Oklahoma soil, we all gather around the Semi.

Everyone gazes on as the driver sets the lift into position to unload the famed cargo.  With Lance assuming the honors he climbs behind the wheel of our hero.  Cautiously he eases Stomper onto the ramp for the crowd's first full view of the reconstructed Hero.

Then with hundreds of cameras sapping their batteries Stomper is presented with all of his glory to the Hutton family and supporting friends.

Now, much to his delight, Stomper is now standing back on Oklahoma soil and back with the Hutton family.

I know that, to many of you this will bring the Stomper story to an end.  But to us here in Oklahoma we will continue to be reminded of this heroic story as we run the Oklahoma highways and byways along side of this Big Orange Heroic Symbol we know as STOMPER THE RUSCUE RUBICON.  And we forever remember the saying "WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE JEEP KEEPS GOING".

See ya on the trails.  Okie Out.