For the last few years, Mark Coleman drove his 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 from his Yelm home to a gathering of Mustang enthusiasts and gearheads in Meadow Glade.
This year, the U.S. Army master sergeant’s wife, Barbie, 15-year-old daughter, Jessica, and 20-year-old son, Brett, drove the metallic-alloy-colored car in his honor.
The 22-year Army veteran was killed in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan on May 2 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device. He was 40 years old and on his third tour in Afghanistan. He was scheduled to return to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in August.
This Memorial Day weekend, as in the past three years, Team Shelby car club members from across Washington, Oregon, California and British Columbia made the trek to Rob Aichele’s Meadow Glade home for the annual gathering.
The quiet neighborhood street was lined with about 50 torch-red, grabber-orange and vista-blue Mustangs with lifted hoods. Car owners relaxed in camping chairs, eating barbecued burgers, listening to music and talking about all things Shelby.
But Coleman’s death just weeks ago made this year’s event particularly special. Car club members donated cash, raffled prizes and sold T-shirts to raise money for the Coleman family. On Saturday afternoon, they presented Barbie with a check for $6,570.
“It’s what Mark would have wanted us to do for her,” Aichele said. “We’re like family. We take care of each other the best we can.”
Coleman’s car parked in the driveway was the centerpiece of the event. In the nearby field, an American flag and U.S. Army flag flapped in the wind. Military boots, a camouflage helmet and a weapon represented the fallen soldier. As two buglers began playing Taps, the visitors grew solemn. Barbie wiped tears from her eyes as family and friends stood by her side.
The hood of Coleman’s car — which Brett referred to as his father’s “baby” — was lowered and a Shelby flag signed by the car’s namesake, Carroll Shelby, was draped across the charcoal-color Mustang.
When the tribute ended, Coleman’s family thanked everyone for the outpouring of love and support.
“You just can’t say enough words about how the Shelby family comes together,” said family friend Adam Jones on behalf of Barbie.
Coleman’s children, who had not attended past car club gatherings, were surprised by the memorial for their father.
“I never expected it to be this big,” Jessica said. “The military is very tight-knit. When a brother in arms falls, it’s a big deal. The Shelby guys have treated it that way, too.”
“Dad would be blown away,” she added.
“They did a lot,” said Brett, who followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Army. “It was really nice.”
Amboy residents Robin Yeager and Roger Sturdevant attended the gathering for the first time this weekend. While neither knew Coleman, Yeager said she appreciated the tribute among the weekend’s festivities.
“We’re glad that this event could help the family,” she said.
While many of the club members communicate mainly in online forums, the weekend event allowed them to connect face-to-face.
“It’s not about the cars and showing off the cars,” Aichele said. “It’s about the people.”
And this year, it was about a career soldier, who just last year opted to re-enlist for five more years, rather than retire.
“This is what he loved doing,” Jessica said.
Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.
