Mother of fallen Army soldier gets free car refurbished by Fix Auto Pasadena - The Pasadena Star-News
Lee Ann Smith, right, audience acknowledges for her work as founder of non-profit MOS MOM and for the service her son, Sgt. Fix Auto Pasadena hosted a gifting ceremony Wednesday whereby a local recipient received a fully refurbished 2014 Hyundai Elantra through Recycled Rides. PASADENA>> Every one of the 300,000 miles on Lee Ann Smith’s 1995 Saab is a memory. Watching one of her sons, Andrew Tobin, drive the Saab to his high school prom. So, when Fix Auto Pasadena gave Smith a fully refurbished 2014 Hyundai Elantra on Thursday, it was a bittersweet moment. Tobin, 24, a sergeant in the US Army, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011. Last week was the anniversary of his death and this week the anniversary of the day she buried him in Illinois. Co-owner Vatche Derderian’s team of auto repair experts at Fix Auto in Pasadena refurbished it and got it ready for Smith to drive. Tobin, and we thank you Lee Ann for everything you have done for our country,” said Derderian. Smith turned the grief of the loss of her son to start the nonprofit MOS Mom (Member of Service Mom), to continue her son’s selfless service and support service members, veterans, and their families with resources and advocacy. Smith said although she loves and appreciates the shiny red Hyundai, she can’t let go of the Saab just yet. Source: www.pasadenastarnews.com
