Warriors Get Revved Up at Classic Car Show and Swap Meet
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept 15th, 2018) – Warriors connected as they gathered to immerse themselves in the fast-paced world of hot rods and classic cars with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP).
“My husband and I have classic cars and love going to swap meets,” said Army veteran Martha-Estela Garcia. “This was an opportunity to meet other veterans who also like classic cars and swapping car stories.”
The Portland Classic Car Show and Swap Meet is one of the largest auto-related events on the Pacific coast. Warriors were able to visit and shop at any of the estimated 3,500 vendor stalls at the gathering.
- Wounded Warrior Project’s breakfast meeting before the swap meet also was great,” Martha said. “We got to meet some new veterans who love cars, as well as build on friendships with other people we knew from previous events.”
The 2017 WWP Annual Warrior Survey (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/survey) highlights the importance of opportunities for connection at WWP outreach events, which meet warriors where they are in their recoveries, no matter what they’re going through. And its results are powerful.
“We loved the cars and chatting with warriors who we would have never met otherwise,” Martha said. “One guy we spoke with was an Air Force veteran and he had his friend with him. The friend ended up being someone my husband and I had deployed with to Iraq. We all talked about our cars, as well as the fishing events that many of us go to. It was great to spend some time catching up with each other.”
WWP connects warriors, families, and caregivers with healing programs and services. For 15 years, its focus has been building long-term veteran support structures that empower warriors on their paths to recovery.
“Wounded Warrior Project gives warriors an opportunity to connect not only with other veterans, but also with family members who’ve shared a lot of the same experiences we have,” Martha said. “It's a community.”
To learn more about how WWP connects warriors to build strength through community, visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/alumni.
Contact: Rob Louis – Public Relations, rlouis@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.627.0432
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more: http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.