For soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, the transition from military service to civilian life is a tough road both physically and psychologically. These difficulties are compounded for soldiers who sustained major injuries and have to re-enter civilian life with a physical handicap. In San Antonio, an auto garage has stepped up and is taking an active role in helping America’s veterans. Their goal? Restoring classic cars.
Automotivation was founded in 2006 by Operation Comfort, a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for wounded troops. Operation Comfort coordinate sports programs, woodworking classes, financial assistance/education programs, and car restoration programs for soldiers rehabilitating at the Brooke Army Medical Center. These programs give the soldiers joy and purpose in an otherwise difficult time, and it also provides a social outlet where soldiers can bond over a common interest.
Since 2006, Automotivation has made annual trips to the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas to show off their work. Thanks to generous donors, they have had plenty of work to show off. In the past few years, Automotivation has purchased and restored a 1984 Ford Bronco and a 1966 Cobra Kit Car. Their progress was documented on their website and can be seen here.
Besides the social aspect of the program, Automotivation’s organizers want to teach these soldiers practical skills that they can use in their professional lives. Returning soldiers can often have trouble finding work, and learning the ins and outs of a car can open new job opportunities to them. On the Operation Comfort website, one of the program’s organizers wrote, “Our hope is that these young men and women will find that they love working on cars and decide to go into the Automotive Industry.”
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