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RAHAL AUTOMOTIVE GROUP DONATES $35,000 TO SOLDIERSTRONG TO HELP MILITARY VETERANS TAKE THEIR NEXT STEPS FORWARD

The Bobby Rahal Automotive Group today announced a $35,000 donation to SoldierStrong, a national nonprofit organization with a mission to deliver revolutionary medical technology to Veterans Affairs medical facilities to assist military veterans in taking their next steps forward in life after service.

This is the sixth consecutive year that the 13-dealership group in central and western Pennsylvania has donated a share of the revenue from every new and used vehicle sold at its central Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh region dealerships during November.

“As a veteran and member of the local community myself, I am immensely proud of the support we’re able to provide our veterans and the fact that a number of veterans, reservists, and first responders choose to work for us,” said Brian Buehler, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Bobby Rahal Auto Group. “The Rahal Automotive Group not only sells and services great brands of vehicles, but above all else does so with the highest level of ethics, morals, and benevolence. It’s an honor to give back to those who’ve done so much for us.”

Chris Meek, chairman and co-founder of the Stamford, Conn., organization, noted the Rahal family’s commitment to America’s veterans extends beyond its most recent generous gift. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing shows its support for SoldierStrong through its NTT IndyCar Series race team’s program, Turns For Troops. For every lap that Bobby’s son, Graham Rahal, completed in the 2023 season, sponsor United Rentals donated $50 to SoldierStrong.

Additionally, Graham Rahal serves on the SoldierStrong Advisory Board, a role in which he has raised broad awareness and significant material support for the organization, particularly through the philanthropic efforts of the Graham and Courtney Rahal Foundation.

“The Bobby Rahal Automotive Group has established a long-standing tradition of excellence when it comes to community service and uplifting worthwhile causes that help individuals, and in this case veterans, take their next steps forward,” Meek said. “Not only are the Bobby Rahal dealerships pillars of the communities in which they operate, but I have no doubt they inspire other businesses, organizations and individuals to be active participants when it comes to bettering their communities and finding ways to give back to those who need it most.”

“The Rahal family, Rahal Automotive Group, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and the Graham and Courtney Rahal Foundation continue to selflessly put the health and wellbeing of America’s veterans at the forefront of their philanthropic efforts. Their support has contributed to SoldierStrong’s ability to deliver more than $5.5 million in revolutionary medical technologies to Veterans Affairs facilities and individual veterans to date. We extend our thanks for their willingness to continue to champion our mission year after year.”

VINO FOR VETS DONATES $90,000 FOR NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT AIDS MILITARY VETERANS IN TAKING THEIR NEXT STEPS FORWARD

Vino for Vets group photo

The Graham & Courtney Rahal Foundation (GCRF) hosted its third-annual Vino for Vets powered by DEEM fundraiser in October, donating $90,000 to benefit charitable partner, Turns for Troops/SoldierStrong.

“We are thrilled to donate $90,000 from this year’s Vino For Vets powered by DEEM. This event is an incredible experience, and we were honored to have members of SoldierStrong speak to the impact our contributions have on the veteran community,” said Graham Rahal. “We have an amazing group of supporters who make the success of this event possible and we’re looking forward to growing this event and continuing to assist in providing the resources our veterans need.”

As primary sponsor for Graham Rahal’s Indy car, United Rentals donates $50 to Turns for Troops for each lap that Rahal completes during the racing season. Those funds power the efforts of SoldierStrong, a national nonprofit based in Stamford, Conn., to help veterans take their next steps forward in life after service through the donation of revolutionary medical technology to Veterans Affairs medical facilities across the country.

These technologies include the SoldierSuit, a wearable robotic exoskeleton used to assist paralyzed and injured veterans in standing and walking again, as well as the BraveMind virtual reality system used to treat veterans living with the devastating impacts of post-traumatic stress (PTS). To date, 30 SoldierSuits and 30 BraveMind systems have been donated by the organization, equating to more than $5.5 million in donated technologies since 2013.

Vino for Vets powered by DEEM combines the Rahals’ love for fine wine with their passion for military veterans. Hosted during the harvest season, the event is a couples-exclusive, weekend-long wine experience in Napa Valley. The GCRF team strategically researches and selects some of the most sought-after, rare, and delicious wines to bring forward to attendees.

“SoldierStrong is grateful to the Graham and Courtney Rahal Foundation for the organization’s years of invaluable support of our mission and for conceptualizing and bringing together such a unique event and vast group of individuals who share a collective interest in bettering the lives of veterans,” said SoldierStrong chairman and co-founder Chris Meek. “Each year, Graham, Courtney and their foundation continue to exceed expectations in terms of the lengths they have gone to share our mission on a national scale and raise funds so that we are able to continue to change the lives of veterans.”

UNITED RENTALS, THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH RLL RACING, DONATES MORE THAN $90,000 TO THE NATIONAL NONPROFIT SOLDIERSTRONG

UNITED RENTALS, THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH RLL RACING, DONATES MORE THAN $90,000 TO THE NATIONAL NONPROFIT SOLDIERSTRONG

United Rentals Inc., the world’s largest equipment rental company, today announced that its partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing donated $91,400 to SoldierStrong through the Turns For Troops program this year, approaching $2 million in total contributions to the organization helping America’s injured veterans take their next steps forward in life.

“United Rentals has a long-standing commitment of veteran support, both for our own team members transitioning from service through our Veterans United Employee Resource Group, and through great organizations like SoldierStrong,” said Antwan Houston, Vice President, Tools Region and Veterans United Leader at United Rentals. “The Turns for Troops program brings an important philanthropic element to our motorsports partnerships. We are proud to support SoldierStrong and the great things they are doing for veterans within the communities where we live and work.”

This is the seventh consecutive year that United Rentals has donated $50 for each lap that NTT IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal completes in specific races throughout the IndyCar season. Since its inception, Turns For Troops has raised more than $1.8 million to help support the recovery of America’s injured veterans.

“Since 2016, Turns for Troops has generously donated substantial money to help support injured veterans as they make the transition back into civilian life. Just as important, United Rentals has called attention to the sacrifices and needs of America’s veterans,” said SoldierStrong co-founder and chairman Chris Meek. “We are incredibly honored that United Rentals supports our efforts and is there for veterans who have given so much. Simply put, we would be unable to fulfill the highest ideals of our mission without the support of United Rentals.”

SoldierStrong is a national nonprofit organization with the mission to help America’s military veterans take their next steps forward in life after service through the donation of revolutionary medical technologies to Veterans Affairs medical facilities and individual veterans across the country.

The technologies SoldierStrong donates include the SoldierSuit, robotic exoskeletons used to help injured and paralyzed veterans stand and walk again, and the BraveMind virtual reality system used to treat post-9/11 veterans living with the devastating impacts of post-traumatic stress (PTS), as well as other types of advanced technologies. To date, SoldierStrong has donated 30 SoldierSuits and 30 BraveMind systems, valued at more than $5.5 million, to Veterans Affairs medical facilities and individual veterans.

SOLDIERSTRONG ANNOUNCES 2023 RECIPIENTS OF ANNUAL COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AWARD

SoldierStrong, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping military veterans take their next steps forward in life after service through the donation of revolutionary medical technology, announced the individual and corporate 2023 recipients of its annual Commitment to Service Award today.

The organization presents the Commitment to Service Award to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary and inspirational leadership and provided material support to SoldierStrong’s mission. Recipients leverage their talents and resources in an effort to elevate the standard of excellence in health care available to our nation’s veterans.

Sylvie Légère is a social entrepreneur, investor and philanthropistSylvie Légère is a social entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. She and her husband, Todd Ricketts, demonstrated their commitment and compassion for America’s veterans by donating a robotic exoskeleton to SoldierStrong in 2021. Thanks to their generosity, SoldierStrong was able to ensure that paralyzed veteran Tyler Densford could walk again and enjoy a higher quality of life. In 2022, SoldierStrong was thrilled to welcome Mrs. Légère to its advisory board, a position she has since used to further raise awareness about its mission.

“Sylvie has long focused on developing innovative solutions that unite people for the common good, which is at the very core of SoldierStrong’s mission. It takes innovation and a willingness to make an investment in the common good for Americans to give back to our nation’s heroes in a manner that will truly change lives. Sylvie has demonstrated that consistently through her commitment to veterans. I am incredibly grateful to Sylvie for leveraging her voice and passion for the power of advanced technology to enhance the lives of veterans,” said SoldierStrong co-founder and chairman Chris Meek.

Beyond her philanthropic efforts, Légère co-founded The Policy Circle in 2015 and serves as its board chair. The nonprofit, non-partisan organization is designed “to educate, engage and empower women to be a force for positive change in their communities.” The organization emphasizes “fact-based civil discourse” as a preferred approach to productive civic involvement and change, and encourages members to “go beyond the headlines and take ownership of the issues.”

Légère is a Québécoise by birth, but American by naturalization. She earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Ottawa and a master’s degree in computer science with a specialization in the learning sciences from Northwestern University. She recently published her first book, Trust Your Voice: A Roadmap to Focus and Influence and is a frequently sought-after speaker focused on leadership and civic engagement. A healthy living advocate, Légère enjoys running, cycling, camping, and traveling with her husband and their three children.

“I am honored to receive the 2023 SoldierStrong “Commitment to Service Award.” While I am not one to seek the spotlight or accolades, receiving this award from SoldierStrong is meaningful to me. Supporting SoldierStrong’s mission and sponsoring an exoskeleton has been incredibly rewarding, directly contributing to the empowerment of our injured veterans. Sharing this recognition with Brian Steorts, an esteemed Army veteran and founder of Flags of Valor, makes it even more special. His dedication and service are truly inspiring,” said Sylvie Légère.

She continued, “This award reaffirms my commitment to supporting our veterans. It’s a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility and the impact we can make together. SoldierStrong’s work in bringing transformative technology to those who have served is vital. It also aligns with my engagement with The Policy Circle to connect women in the military to their communities to uplift their civic engagement. Thank you for this honor. I am excited to continue our collaboration and help make a positive difference in the lives of our veterans.”

Brian Steorts of Flags of ValorFlags of Valor is a patriot-owned and veteran-operated maker of handcrafted wooden custom pieces, in particular American flags, with a mission to bring American values to the forefront of everyday life. Its range of patriotic products are made in the United States and crafted to be passed on from generation to generation. Flags of Valor empowers veteran organizations, including SoldierStrong, by donating 10% of all proceeds to nonprofits making a difference in the lives of veterans.

“It is an honor to present SoldierStrong’s corporate Commitment to Service Award to Flags of Valor and founder Brian Steorts for their steadfast commitment to give back to our nation’s heroes and the organizations that serve them. I admire Brian and his team for keeping veterans at the forefront of the work that they do. Their efforts undoubtedly inspire other entrepreneurs and businesses to find avenues in their own organizations to benefit our heroic veterans,” said Meek.

“It is with immense gratitude that Flags of Valor accepts the Corporate Commitment to Service Award from SoldierStrong. We are honored to be recognized by such a dedicated nonprofit, working hand in hand to make a lasting impact in the lives of our nation’s heroes. This recognition fuels our commitment to crafting symbols of patriotism, ensuring they not only honor our past but contribute to a brighter future for our veterans. Thank you, SoldierStrong, for your unwavering support and partnership in this meaningful journey,” said Flags of Valor founder Brian Steorts.

SOLDIERSTRONG ANNOUNCES ANNUAL SOLDIERSCHOLAR RECIPIENTS FOR 2023

Delivering on its commitment to help military veterans take a significant academic step forward, the national nonprofit SoldierStrong today announced the recipients of its annual scholarship initiative, SoldierScholar.

“Military service and education have long served as two of many pathways to prepare the next generation of great American leaders. Providing the very best of our nation with access to education when they return from service is the least we can do in honor of their sacrifices,” said SoldierStrong co-founder and chairman Chris Meek. “The Post-9/11 GI Bill seeks to do just that but, unfortunately, has funding gaps that can add extra burdens for veterans pursuing higher education degrees. SoldierStrong’s mission of easing the transition from military to civilian life is why we’re proud to offer financial assistance to help fill those gaps so that more veterans can reap the full academic benefits they deserve.”

The cost of textbooks, classroom fees, transportation, technology, tutoring and a number of other essentials are among expenses that the GI Bill has historically not covered. SoldierScholar was created in 2012 to alleviate those additional costs.

SoldierScholar scholarships are available to veterans who fought in the recent War on Terror, which includes Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. SoldierStrong, which primarily provides revolutionary medical technologies to Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country to help injured veterans lead full lives, has awarded more than $500,000 in SoldierScholar scholarships since its inception.

Past SoldierScholar scholarship recipients have gone on to work at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in civilian positions at the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Division of the U.S. Air Force, for various members of Congress and as policy advisors at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, among other esteemed professions. Recipients include:

MICHELLE HUMPHREYS

Michelle Humphreys, Old Dominion University – Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering

Michelle Humphreys, a civil engineering major, grew up in a close-knit family in Passaic, New Jersey. Humphreys, the first in her family to pursue a STEM degree, joined the Navy right out of high school. She had already been thinking of joining the military when she met with a recruiter. Humphreys served as a nuclear electrician’s mate aboard the USS George Washington. She transitioned into civilian life in 2020 after six years of service. After graduation, Humphreys hopes to find a meaningful engineering position.

KATHLEEN HIGGINS

Kathleen Higgins, Old Dominion University – Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Kathleen Higgins joined the military right after high school. As a first-generation student, she was encouraged to take the military pathway by her mother and father – both Army veterans. In the Navy, Higgins worked as an aviation structural safety equipment mechanic on different F-18 models. Higgins left the Navy in 2020 after eight years of service. She took a position at Boeing before returning to school. It was an easy transition to the program at Old Dominion where Higgins is currently a mechanical engineering major with a focus on aerospace engineering. After she finishes her degree, Higgins hopes to obtain a position as an aerospace engineer.

Catherine Manning Image

Catherine Manning, Georgetown University – Bachelor Degree in Political Science

Catherine Manning has been a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet since 2019. Most recently she served as a Squad Support Flight Commander where she led 28 cadets in planning morale-raising events, organized squadron support functions and directly mentored six cadets. Her personal hobbies include reading, playing the piano and flute, and exercising including running, volleyball and tennis.

Marriler Wilson Image

Marriler Wilson, Syracuse University – Master’s Degree in Public Administration and International Relations

Marriler Wilson is a United States Air Force National Guard veteran and former Mayor Placard Enforcement Detail for the New York Police Department. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration and international relations at Syracuse University with an expected 2025 graduation. Her law enforcement and security background, combined with community outreach and advocacy experience, gives her a unique perspective on the intersectionality of these two fields. She is interested in pursuing a career in diplomatic conflict resolution, where she can use her skills and expertise to promote understanding between individuals and communities.

Jose A. Baeza-Ruiz image

Jose A. Baeza-Ruiz, Syracuse University – Bachelor Degree in Business Analytics

Jose A. Baeza-Ruiz, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served as an intelligence analyst. His military experiences ranged from training ground level to bigger picture analysis and detailed research in a developed environment. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business analytics at Syracuse University with an expected graduation date of May 2024. He looks forward to opportunities that will allow him to expand the technical abilities in the field of business and data analytics.