The Road Home for Our Veterans
Our Garage Squad is used to teaching. It’s always been our goal to empower people to help themselves, learning some tricks of the trade and attempting to inspire our fans to take on the projects that seem a little scary, or too far from our comfort zone. Recently, when we met the Meyer family and heard the story of their son Brandon, we moved from teacher to student. Brandon purchased a ’68 Malibu and had it shipped home while serving in Iraq. It was a project to work on with his father when he returned from active duty. But Brandon’s psychological wounds of war that claimed him four years ago, before he could get into the garage and get that Chevy back on the road with his father, as he’d planned. We learned a lot from the Meyers family. And we’re helping to tell Brandon’s story.
What did we learn? Since 9/11, more than 700,000 U.S. service members have suffered from invisible wounds of war — psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and military sexual trauma (MST). When our troops come home, there are continued battles to wage on behalf of the 2.5 million men and women who serve in these wars. While there are resources to help these men and women, they are often underfunded and sometimes unknown to the people who would benefit from them most.
In the spring of 2014 a program opened in Chicago called the Road Home. The Road Home Program at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Group is an essential partner within the veteran community, providing treatment, along with support to veterans and their families. The invisible wounds of PTSD, TBI, MST and other mental health challenges are great. And, the Road Home Program team is dedicated to helping our veterans in this continued fight.
“I have people say to me, ‘Are you still involved with that veterans’ stuff? I thought we took care of that,’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, I wish.’ Veterans are always going to have needs.”, said William Beiersdorf, Director of the Road Home Program.
While the Road Home Program’s primary focus is on the veteran, it is also committed to providing their families with care and support. The stress and fatigue these families face in supporting their veteran loved ones is overwhelming. They need support as they seek ways to save and support their loved ones. This care also extends to veterans’ children.
To learn more about PTSD and the psychological injuries that effect so many of our American heroes, please visit https://roadhomeprogram.org.
I just finished watching last nights episode on the DVR, for the second time. Brandon was just a boy when on 9/11/2001 my brothers, sisters and I in the FDNY went through the worst days in our history. He made it his life’s mission to serve in the Marines to protect and preserve what others want to take away from us. We are forever in their debt. Thank you and may god bless Joe, Bruno, Heather, Cy, Ronnie, Kingster and the rest of the Garage Squad Crew for what you are giving to our true American hero’s and their families. Joe, Bruno’s and Heathers statements at the end of the show brought me to tears. I myself have been through many dark days since 9/11 but we all have to remember we are never alone and there is always a shoulder to lean on and there are so many of us in this country that are and will forever be grateful for their service and their sacrifice. May God Bless the United States of America and may he bless the Men and Women that serve selfishly to protect our freedom and may he also bless the families that support them.
Dave we very much appreciate the comment and thank you for sharing.
As a veteran and police officer I can’t tell you how much your show touched me. I have seen the devastation PTSD can cause. Thank you for helping that family and bringing light to the issue.
Hector Pantoja
California
Thanks for taking the time to make the comment Hector.
I am a 68 year old guy that has been racing since 1971. I have a 1970 AMC Javelin that I bought new in late 1970 after I can back from Viet Nam. I am lucky enough to have the ability to have some worth done on my engine and installing the motor and trans myself, and sometime with a friend. As I watch your show I see you have raced cars at route 66 or at Great lakes dragway. Over the years I have raced at US 30 dragstrip in the 70’s, 90 at The Grove, at US 41 In Indiana, but I race mostly at route 66. What I am asking is if you would let me know where you will be taping a show in the Chicago area, as it seems that is where you tape most shows. I am retired and have time to do as I please. I would like to meet all of you and if you would let me I would like to help build a car or two. I am sure that Insurance is in question but I am a good helper. Also i would like to show you my car as there are not a lot of AMC’s around today. Hope to hear back form you.
Does Garage Squad help Veterans in Hawaii? Or is it based in one State??
We are working on traveling more.