Forsyth Tech Restores 1968 Camaro for Fallen Hero's Son; Jay Leno to Present Keys at National Restoration Show

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.--Oct. 2, 20054, 2005--Forsyth Technical Community College's Transportation Department teamed with the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and restored a 1968 Camaro. The Camaro is for Lance Colton, son of the late Lawrence Shane Colton, former Army chief warrant officer, stationed in Fort Hood, Texas.

The college is planning a viewing of the car on October 26 with a brief ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at the Salem Building on Main Campus at 2100 Silas Creek Parkway. The Camaro will be on display for the public to view from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. It will then be transported to Las Vegas for the National Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, November 1-4. Jay Leno, host of NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno, will present Lance Colton with the keys to the car.

Shane and Lance Colton had been working on restoring the 1968 "Muscle Car" before he was deployed to Iraq. Shane promised his son they would complete the car when he returned. He was not able to fulfill his promise or dreams of completing the restoration with Lance. He was killed outside of Baghdad on April 11, 2004. Students at Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas, became involved in the completion of the car restoration after the story appeared on the CBS Evening News segment "Fallen Heroes."

Because many of the volunteers were called to active duty before they were able to complete the project, Forsyth Tech was asked to step in and continue with the project by Jim Barber from Classic Auto Restoration Specialist, Inc. of Belews Creek, N.C. (CARS). The car shell arrived at Forsyth Tech campus September 19. "I think this is a great opportunity for our students to be involved," said Leonard Kiser, interim dean of Engineering Technologies.

Forsyth Technical Community College offers associate's degrees, diplomas and certificates in more than 150 programs of study. Forsyth Tech's Corporate and Continuing Education programs promote personal and professional development with non-credit courses and seminars and provide customized training for business and industry. Forsyth Tech serves more than 30,000 students with approximately 1,150 faculty.