12th Annual ‘Vettes to Vets Honors Veterans at Bedford VA on Sunday, September 27

September 24, 2015
Corvettes both vintage and new will gather at the Bedford VA on Sunday, September 26 - Courtesy image
Corvettes both vintage and new will gather at the Bedford VA on Sunday, September 26 – Courtesy image


Robert Cook,  Public Affairs, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital (Bedford VA)

When a caravan of Corvettes makes their way to the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital (Bedford VA) on Sept. 27, their owners will come together for an amazing day of camaraderie, music, food and fun to support our Veterans.

Karen Blandini, the chairperson ofVettes to Vets, said what was once an event that attracted 25 Corvette owners 12 years ago, has grown into a massive Corvette rally with drivers from all over New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Canada. She said the event had 537 Corvettes in 2014, including her 2011 Grand Sport Convertible Corvette.

“Not all of them are Veterans, but they all come to support our Veterans,” said Blandini. This year’s event will also be held on Gold Star Mother’s Day.

The public is encouraged to arrive at the Bedford VA campus around 10:30 a.m. and enjoy live music. Members of the Air Force Association 178 Paul Revere Chapterwill start cooking food at 11 a.m. Last year, the Air Force Association fed more than 2,500 people. Veterans will be able to sign up for VA Healthcare benefits and learn about other services they can access at the Bedford VA.The Corvette caravan is scheduled to arrive at Bedford VA at 11:45 a.m. The Hanscom Air Force Base Honor Guard isalso scheduled to be at the event.

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Blandini said so many Veterans love the Corvette because it was the sports car of their youth and that generates a great deal of nostalgia.

“It’s America’s only sports car. It’s just a classic iconic American car and it is the one they all wanted to have in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s,” Blandini said.

One Corvette owner will also receive the Veteran’s Choice Trophy from Bedford VA Director Christine Croteau. Last year Bill and Cathy Doucette took home top honors for their 2006 Daytona Sunset Orange Corvette.

Bill Doucette, 67, of Saugus is a Vietnam War-era Vietnam who uses Bedford VA services. He is also the Vice Commander of the Saugus VFW Post 2346. He has participated in the Vettes to Vets since 2009 and has received primary care at the Bedford VA since that time.

Doucette is a Marine Veteran who served from 1968 to 1972. He said he was a radio operator in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970.  “It took me 40 years myself to go for help for PTSD,” he said.

He hopes that other Veterans who need help will take advantage of the services offered by Bedford VA. Doucette sees the Vettes to Vets event as another way people can give back to Veterans who made so many sacrifices.

“The only reason we can do what we do, (which is to buy Corvettes and enjoy them), is because of Veterans,” Doucette said.

When the Corvette caravan makes its way into the Bedford VA campus, the drivers wave American flags to celebrate the freedom they enjoy to gather together with their prized cars –thanks to the sacrifices made by our troops.

Blandini asks each driver to donate a goodie bag for Veterans that includes items to make their stay at the Bedford VA more comfortable. Corvette drivers can donate items that range from board games, white socks and under shirts to portable electronics and tooth brushes.

Corvette drivers can also make check donations to General Patients Fund 9001 to support our Veterans at Bedford VA. For more information, please contact Karen Blandini at 781.858.1810.


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