Ford proud to honor: Bronco Off-Roadeo event

On June 18, Ford hosted its first "Proud to Honor: Bronco Off-Roadeo" Veteran, military and survivor-focused event in Horseshoe Bay, TX. In collaboration with Blue Star Families, Ford hosted 150 members of our community, such as TAPS, Travis Manion Foundation, Guitars 4 Vets, Team Rubicon and Ford's Veteran Employee Resource Group. Representatives from VA-including VBA-were on hand to provide information about resources and claims processing.

Each participant experienced a 4-hour Bronco excursion that celebrated service, connectedness and adventure. Bronco Off-Roadeo is an adventure driving school where enthusiasts can receive instruction on how to take Bronco family SUVs off-road safely and responsibly. Participants traversed rugged terrain, allowing those military tactics and techniques to branch forward while navigating and examining extreme obstacles. This excursion did more than just highlight the natural attributes of one's military career, it brought a therapeutic approach by providing camaraderie, shared compassion and healing between the Veterans.

As for extended support and services, VA (and VBA) was able to experience this event in a different light. Ford and Blue Star Families invited VA representatives to come on-site to connect and hold space for the Veterans and their families. Services extended from outreach resources from the Veterans Experience Office to health care services from Whole Health and Recreation Therapy to VA enrollment support, to benefits and claims support from the VBA to Center of Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) and Vet Center resources. Veterans and their families were able to schedule appointments before the event, get enrolled if needed, and gather additional resources with no questions left behind.

One of many highlights from the event was a Veteran's wife expressing elation and gratefulness that VBA was on-site to provide her with all the information she inquired about her husband.