Airmen revved up at 7th Annual Show and Shine

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephanie Ashley
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The acrid smell of exhaust, accompanied by the oohs and aahs of vehicle aficionados and Airmen, hung in the air Aug. 17, at the 7th Annual Show and Shine held at the parking lot of J.R. Rockers.

According to Paul Von Osterheldt, 5th Bomb Wing chief of information security, the event provided an opportunity for Airmen and their families to enjoy great classic collections and experience a piece of Americana vintage muscle car and classic hot-rod history. The event showcased an assortment of over 80 different vintage and modern vehicles.

"This year 98 people registered their vehicles making this the biggest show so far," said Jay Utter, manager of the Minot Air Force Base auto body shop, and an organizer of the event. "This was also our first year to have our neighbors from Canada participate."

Participants also included locals in the community like North Dakota Rancher Dana Peterson and his daughter Amanda.

Peterson entered a 1970 Ford Torino that featured a mural under the hood depicting U.S. Army National Guardsman Sergeant Keith L. Smette, of the 957th Engineering Company based out of Bismarck, who lost his life in Iraq when his humvee was struck by an improvised explosive device. Smette was also a friend of Peterson's son.

"We are a strong country because of our military," Peterson explained, in regards to part of the motivation of why he had the mural painted. "I understand and respect that."

The painting took over 20 hours to complete and was done by Kurk Peterson (no relation) using only a photograph of Smette as reference.

A Jeep Wrangler Sport belonging to Senior Airman Andrew Lintelman, 91st Security Forces Group tactical response force assaulter, was also featured at the competition. It had a straight six 4.0 cylinder engine and four inch suspension.

"I wanted to give other people the opportunity to enjoy it (his Jeep) as much as I do," Lintelman expressed with a laugh.

Lintelman said that the first day he bought his Jeep he couldn't resist taking it straight into the woods behind his house for some off-road driving.

Many of the parts on his vehicle were original in nature and he steered clear of more luxury features.

"New Jeeps have power everything-- windows, cruise control and locks. It's nice to have those things, but to me it's just not the same," Lintelman concluded.

Tim Rose, 5th Bomb Wing information protection chief, and his wife Joy, both enjoyed the older model of the vehicles they viewed.

"Vintage classics are my favorite," Joy said. "They have more character and details than newer vehicles."

Tim also added, "it's a pretty cool show, I would definitely come to see it next year."