Honoring a True Hero

   About 3 weeks ago I found myself wandering the service department when something caught my eye. It was a classic Chevy pickup in perfect condition other than it looked like they were working on the engine. Of course being the curious cat that I am I wandered over and noticed the most amazing picture on it. So I carefully climbed on the bumper made sure no one was looking and took some pictures of it. I immediately sent them to Ben since we both share a love of vintage trucks. Little did I know the incredible story behind it...

    Donald Stratton's 65' Chevy was in need of a good motor and transmission. Daniels Long Chevrolet was happy to step up and get this hero back on the road. As I listened to him talk about his love for his truck and reminiscing about his time in the service, he painted a mental picture that brought tears to my eyes.

You see Mr. Stratton is a WWII survivor more specifically he is the lone USS Arizona survivor. The Arizona was bombed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941.  He was aboard the Arizona and survived the attack but was burned over 60 percent of his body. I have been to the Arizona memorial and it was a very somber experience. Being able to see bubbles float up to the surface because the ship is still leaking oil makes it so much more real. It's also a place where forgiveness is born, as you see veterans from both sides embrace and cry on each other's shoulders. It's a time in history that will never be forgotten. Donald Stratton your service is appreciated and your sacrifice is something we can never thank you enough for.

 

    One thing that I love about Daniels Long Chevrolet is that we have a need and a sense of obligation to make sure our military men and women are taken care of. Our former General Manager Mark Barton would light up as a soldier walked through the door. You can sense the ease and comfort our military members feel as they stand around talking, laughing and telling stories. This personal touch is what sold both Ben and I to work here at Daniels. We have a passion to do what is right and honorable for our Service men and women since it's near and dear to both of our hearts. My dad served in the Navy as well as my brother who is currently stationed in San Diego awaiting deployment. Ben's Dad served in the Army and Ben has just separated from the Army after serving in the Air Force and Army for nearly 14 years. I'm so proud of him and so glad he is home...Colorado Springs is our home, home of many military members and we are honored to be living amongst hero's and given the opportunity to give world class customer service to those who sacrifice it all everyday.

 

 

 

What a Crazy First Week!

Woo!!! What a crazy week! I am sitting here with my hug in a mug and I am looking out at these beautiful Colorado mountains.

 

 So much has happened in the last year, my life has pretty much gone full throttle and its nice to just sit and realize that this is home. No more moving around. I am an official Colorado girl. This journey that I am on has taken me on so many directions right down to not only being engaged to the man of my dreams but also the addition to my family. I went from a single mom of two to a party of 5. So my want and need to succeed is because of them. I am excited  to see my dreams turn into reality. I have started this great job with Daniels long Chevrolet and my goal is to really help people. I not only sell cars but I am also a customer.

 

 Having a good experience is important to me and we are determined to change to way people view car salesman. We are thinking outside the box and really wanting to connect with our community. I have meet some awesome people already. Including Antonio and his mom April.

 

I was walking through the show room when I see this young man standing there with his eyes open wide and mouth dropped at the excitement of the cars well more specifically the corvettes. I didn't go over to talk to him because I thought I could sell him one I wanted to know what he was thinking at that moment and it was like he died and went to heaven. I knew we would be friends and it turns out he goes to school with our boy Ryan. He and his mom are regular visitors at Daniels and they are now my friends. I am also gonna tell you that selling my first car was pretty cool. LOL ok it was such a rush!!!! It couldn't have been to a more deserving young man than James. He was the perfect customer. Title and keys in hand ready to trade in his car and purchase a new one. He was not really set on anything in particular but after sitting down with him I was able to determine what his needs where  and we went out and test drove a spark and he loved it and it's now his.

 

 My second sale was to a special woman who I call sister!!! I had to privilege to help Bens sister Michelle get a new car. No one deserves it more that her. She is now the proud owner of "Cruzita". We really are a Chevy family now. And we really look forward to adding more members to it. 

 

~Christina~

Teaching your teen to drive... Yikes!!

What are you afraid of, Ebola, Cancer, War, ISIS?

Well for me I am terrified of my son being out on the open road... He is about to turn 15 years old here in about a month. He is an amazing kid, awesome, charismatic and smart young man but as a father it is so nerve wracking to picture this little boy who once held my hand with his entire arm extended as if I would pull it out of its socket. Now my baby boy is driving and dating and... Oh God!! I just had a panic attack!


How I think of him even today





Reality of my baby boy...

Fortunately enough for me I have a bad you know what Fiance who was there to take the self proclaimed "Selfie King!" out for a drive to give him some confidence driving.



Selfie King making a typical pose

Step 1. Safety suckas! Buckle up, check your gauges and make sure your vehicle is safe for "activities." Check to make sure that you are comfortable and that all your mirrors and gauges are viewable.

 

Step 2. STARBUCKS!!!! (take the edge off, how about a Pumpkin Spice Latte)

 

 

Step 3. Get in, buckle up and shut the... wow that's something else... uh. yeah step 3 calm down figure out your surroundings and plan your next move, always be looking around, people come out of no where (you all know that) plan your next move then... Execute!

 

 

With a few deep breaths and nothing but confidence from the "Selfie King, Ry" We are off and the open road is glorious! Ryan takes charge and conquers the road like nobody's business (I promise there were no small animals injured during this outing). The smell of fresh air, the wind blowing through your hair, A dog!! Ah Watch out!! just kidding...

 

 

"As soon as the truck stopped beautiful women lined the streets with grapes in hand to feed the Prince as he flawlessly nailed his driving session!"

 

 

WAIT! WAIT! What?.... Oh that is how Ry's version of the driving experience went. HAHAHA

 

I hope you all enjoyed this fun blog post, please feel free to leave your comments at the bottom. If you have a funny and informative story on how you are dealing with the subject of teaching your teen to drive feel free to post it up... See you  all next time!

 

~Ben

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome new Friends and Family

To get started this is a joint blog, my name is Ben and my fiancé is Christina. We decided to start a blog about our life together and to help us connect with our friends and family. This site will have posts from both of us and to annotate which one is posting we will simply sign who it is; Ben or Christina. OK, so here we go!!

A few minutes after we were Engaged!

Christina and I met in the city of love, El Paso haha! We have been inseparable since the moment we met and I proposed to her in September, (she said yes)!! We have 3 great children, I have an (almost) 15 year old son Ryan who is the best teen ever! Christina has 2 kiddos, Ben who is an absolute stud and Natalya who is full of sass and is the cutest! We are blessed with 3 amazing and talented kids!

Our little family

Christina and I get into all sorts of trouble, we love playing sports (this woman is ridiculously competitive), enjoying the outdoors, traveling and really just being comfortable in any situation. We have great friends and family who we love and are the people we are today because of them.

Us and The Brays at Pink Floyd Symphony

Family in LA

                                                     


I have spent the last (almost) 14 years in the US military, I spent my first few years as an F-15 Crew Chief, then moved on to Recruiting Airmen for the worlds most powerful Air Force. Apparently I was desirable enough to the Army to fly Apache helicopters so, that is what I have done for the past five years or so. I have loved my military career but am so excited about being a civilian and the chance to help people once again.

 

Ry and I at an AF Recruiting Function

Shooting Boats... No big!

I have always been a member of the Chevrolet family, since I was a kid, my Dad has owned some sort of Chevy. When I find it I will post it, but it's a pic of me as a baby with my Dad and his 1970 Chevelle! My Dad was a small business owner and we always had Chevy trucks doing all the heavy lifting. I'm sure with no surprise to you, myself and sister have been consistent Chevy owners. Christina and I recently purchased 2 more Chevy's a 2014 Silverado LT Texas Edition (named Walker Texas Ranger) and a 2014 Cruze (Tom Cruze). We are exceptionally pleased with both vehicles therefor Christina and I have sought employment selling these cars we love for Daniels Long Chevrolet in Colorado Springs at the top of Motor City.

Our New Chevy's!

Teaching Ry how to drive...

 

It is our goal to update you with our newest shenanigans, trips, tips, advice and our newest Chevy family members. Christina and I are trying to bring passion back to the auto industry, we are passionate about taking great care of our customers and I will say it again, we want you as part of the family. We hope that you will allow us a chance to fix any bad past experiences. Please if you are happy with us tell your friends about us and encourage them to follow our blog and Facebook page, just search "we sell chevy's" on Facebook and look for our regular blog posts. Cheers!!!

Ben