SoldierStrong, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping America’s military veterans take their next steps forward in life after service through the donation of revolutionary medical technology to Veterans Affairs medical facilities and individual veterans across the country, hosted its inaugural Ambassadors forum on Tuesday, February 13.

A group of the organization’s Ambassadors, representing each branch of the military, joined the virtual meeting, the first of four quarterly forums scheduled for 2024. Ambassadors represented users of medical technologies donated through three of SoldierStrong’s flagship programs: the SoldierSuit, a wearable robotic exoskeleton used to help paralyzed and injured veterans walk again; BraveMind, a virtual reality system used to assist post-9/11 veterans in combatting post-traumatic stress through a process known as prolonged exposure therapy; and the iBOT ® PMD, a powered wheelchair with advanced features not typical of the average wheelchair.

SoldierStrong representatives facilitated the forum and presented to the Ambassadors, including co-founder and chairman Chris Meek, Chief Technology Officer Mike Premi and SoldierSuit Program Director Steve Stark.

The forum included:

• An update on the state of the organization and 2023 highlights;
• An in-depth presentation of the BraveMind program;
• Announcements for 2024 special events and organizational goals;
• Updates from and fellowship among Ambassadors.

“SoldierStrong greatly values our Ambassadors and appreciates their countless contributions to our mission. Without their support and willingness to participate in organizational activities, we would truly be unable to share the breadth and depth of the impact of our donations on the lives of veterans,” said SoldierStrong co-founder and chairman, Chris Meek. “I was humbled by the lively exchange among our Ambassadors regarding how our donations have positively impacted their lives and their enthusiasm in continuing to help contribute to our cause.”

The next SoldierStrong Ambassador Forum is tentatively scheduled for May 2024. If you are a veteran who has benefitted from the medical technology SoldierStrong donates and would like to become an Ambassador and participate in forums, please reach out via email at info@soldierstrong.org.

To learn more about the amazing SoldierStrong Ambassadors, please visit https://www.soldierstrong.org/ambassadors/.

The Vince and Linda McMahon Family Foundation has been a significant financial supporter of SoldierStrong through a shared commitment to help veterans succeed in civilian life following their years of military service. As such, SoldierStrong recognized that commitment in 2018 by creating the Vincent and Linda McMahon Commitment to Service Award to recognize other individuals and corporations for their support of our cause. I am deeply saddened, angered and disgusted by allegations, as reported today by numerous credible news organizations, that Vincent McMahon has been engaged in a pattern of sexual assault, trafficking and other misconduct. Such allegations are always taken seriously within SoldierStrong and such conduct can never be ignored nor tolerated. As a result, we have chosen to end our relationship with the Vince and Linda McMahon Family Foundation and will move forward by renaming our annual service award at the appropriate time.

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.”

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 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.