Record Amount Raised For Veterans At Annual Car Show

Onlookers visit the vehicles lined up on the square at the annual Veterans Memorial Wall Car Show on October 9, 2021.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Saturday's beautiful weather drew plenty of classic and unique cars and trucks out to the annual Veteran's Memorial Wall "Cruisin' For The Wall" Car Show on the square in Brownsville.

The event was sponsored and coordinated by local DAV Chapter #32 and Auxiliary and saw a total of 71 vehicles entered, which was a new record. Another record set was the amount raised at the event, which was $4,266, according to DAV #32 Adjutant Mike Stoyonovich.

Car enthusiasts, veterans, and vet supporters enjoy the afternoon in the courtyard.

Stoyonovich, who is also Kentucky State DAV Jr. Vice Commander and Executive Committee member, discussed how the funds will help local veterans in several ways.

"The DAV and the DAV Auxiliary will use this money to pay for contract maintenance of the Memorial Wall and the Battle Cross as well as maintenance costs to our DAV Building located at the corner of Washington and Veterans Street," he said. "The rest of the funds will be used to pay our monthly utility bills to include phone and internet services that we let veterans use when they have no other means of communicating. We also have a veterans emergency fund that we provide to veterans that have been down on their luck to pay for their delinquent rent or utilities or for food."

CAR SHOW PHOTO SLIDESHOW:

Stoyonovich also noted how the local DAV Chapter works with local vets to assist with their available VA benefits.

"Over the last 5 years, DAV Chapter #32 service officers in Brownsville are directly responsible for $1.75 million in permanent annual added income for the veterans we have supported," he said. "That is an incredible number that we are very proud of. God Bless Edmonson County for supporting DAV Chapter #32."

Stoyonovich also noted that multiple sponsors helped cover the cost of the show, some without even being asked.

The first phase of the Wiley N. Willis Veterans Memorial Wall was completed in 2016 and dedicated on Memorial Day, 2016.