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Brad Keselowski used Ford’s Proud to Honor Veterans Day event at Daytona to call for more than a thank-you to those who served.
Keselowski, who founded the Checkered Flag Foundation to support military members, veterans, first responders and their families, said the foundation’s work has shown him how serious the problem of veteran isolation is.
“Well, I think what Ford’s doing here and what they are doing is a way to actively engage our veterans. And, you know, through my foundation, one of the key learnings we’ve had is, you know, the suicide rate is just ridiculously high,” Keselowski told ATYL Media.
https://x.com/ATYLmedia/status/2120967244268323001
‘A Lack of Engagement’
Keselowski said veterans too often end up disconnected from the communities they served.
“And more often than not, when you kind of go back and say, what happened here? It’s just a lack of engagement of our veterans. It’s a lack of, you know, ingraining in society and finding ways to bring them to the forefront,” he said.
‘More Powerful Than Giving Money’
He said events like the one at Daytona give veterans a reason to come out and reconnect.
“And so events are so powerful because they bring a lot of veterans out. Events like this, they bring them out and they help them reconnect to the community. And it’s in some ways more powerful than giving money, like just get them back into the community and get them, you know, enthusiastic about something and see the world,” Keselowski said. “And I think that really stands out to me about events like this. And I think it’s the most powerful thing you can do right now.”
The Checkered Flag Foundation
Keselowski founded the Checkered Flag Foundation in 2010, after visiting Walter Reed Medical Center the year before. The foundation has raised more than $3.8 million since its launch.
The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic
The first Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic was held Nov. 11 on Daytona’s road course. Ford worked with NASCAR, Blue Star Families, IMSA and Historic Sportscar Racing on the event. Twelve Ford Racing drivers raced in six two-driver teams representing each branch of the military, driving Mustang Dark Horse R cars in military-inspired liveries.
Keselowski represented the Army with Joey Hand and finished fifth in the 30-minute race. Austin Cindric won for the Air Force, the team Frankie Muniz was set to share before his practice crash.
The event’s charitable fund supported six organizations serving military members, veterans and their families: Blue Star Families, Camp Southern Ground, Disabled American Veterans, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Team Rubicon and the Travis Manion Foundation.
If you or a veteran you know is struggling, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7: dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
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