Fender Honors 9/11 with Custom Shop Stratocasters
(John Gorbe | Posted 2011-09-24)
The New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department and Port Authority of New York were heroes on September 11, 2001 and paid the ultimate price to save lives on a tragic day in American history.
Fender honors each of these organizations with a trio of custom shop models featuring custom graphics depicting imagery related to each agency and to the events of that day.
Also, inlaid into the custom finish of each Stratocaster are various commendation pins and badges of each agency; several related specifically to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Among these are three specially commissioned badges—one for each guitar—noting the number of fallen officers, firefighters and paramedics that day—23 for the New York City Police Department, 37 for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and 343 for the New York City Fire Department.
The guitars are the brainchild of Minnesota firefighter Tommy Clarke, who, a decade ago, was on the scene of the World Trade Center within 24 hours after disaster struck. In the years afterward, he collected pins, badges, medals and other commendation related to the three New York agencies and to Sept. 11. The decorations that adorn the three guitars are from his collection.
After going on brief display at a Fender event in California in mid-September, Eric Clapton will play the guitars during fall dates on his 2011 world tour, after which they will be donated to Sept 11, 2001, first-responder organizations.
The New York Fire Department Strat features a “Survivor” pin, “Rescuer” pin, “Campaign” pin, a specially commissioned Fire Department badge commemorating the agency’s 343 officers lost, and 11 individual commendation bars.
The New York Police Department Strat features a “U.S. Flag” pin, “WTC” pin, NYPD Medal of Honor, NYPD Police Combat Cross, NYPD Medal for Valor, NYPD Meritorious Award, Pistol expert pin, and a specially commissioned Police Department badge commemorating the agency’s 23 officers lost.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Strat features a “U.S. Flag” pin, “WTC” pin, NYPD Police Combat Cross, “Bronze Star” pin, Blue Star” pin, “Meritorious Police Duty” pin, Pistol Sharpshooter pin, and a specially commissioned Port Authority badge commemorating the agency’s 37 officers lost.
For more information go to http://www.fender.com
