(NewsNation) — Ford went all-out. It was a Texas-sized celebration with 150 military personnel and families on hand for the first-ever “Proud to Honor: Bronco Off-Roadeo” event earlier this week and best of all: It was free for them.
The “Bronco Off-Roadeo” is one of the automaker’s adventure driving schools, but it had a military twist this time around. Trail guides led who also had served, Veterans Affairs’ representatives and resources at the event and a Guitars 4 Vets concert — a true, off-road celebration of both active and fallen heroes.
It was a mix of emotion and nostalgia for folks like Jenny Akin, a Gold Star wife whose Green Beret husband Cooper died from burn-pit-related cancer last year. Jenny says the family would go off-roading together in Cooper’s F-150, and this day offered some much-needed adventure therapy.
“I cannot really underscore enough how much it helped me heal. And I know that sounds very hyperbolic, but it’s not,” Akin said. “You know, my husband died almost a year ago to the day from when I participated. And it was just a time to kind of reconnect, let go and start enjoying and living again.”
So many stories, like Jenny’s strength and healing, were shared at the event, with all of the military branches represented.
How are some of the other automakers honoring the military?
Chevy and GM donate a pair of SUVs to military personnel during Major League Baseball’s All-Star game, which is this month. Tesla just introduced a military purchase program with a $1,000 discount. Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen also offered up to $5,000 off their fleet for service members and their families.
