With nearly 5,000 military veteran employees, General Motors’ support for the United States armed forces spans generations. Today, Chevrolet assists Cell Phones for Soldiers, Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund, a variety of employment and grassroots initiatives, and is the Official Vehicle of the Army-Navy Game. The GM Military Discount program offers the industry’s best discounts on most Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles for active duty, reserves, veterans (within one year of discharge date) and retirees and spouses of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard. GM also is a proud sponsor of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring our Heroes initiative aimed and finding meaningful employment for veterans transitioning to civilian life. GM’s military community can be found on Facebook.

In advance of the 113th Army-Navy Game, Chevrolet and students from Michigan Technological University revealed a new hand cycle designed to make it easier for wounded veterans to compete in racing events, including marathons.

In addition, GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson announced GM will build 10 prototypes for use next year by the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans in marathons across the country.

“GM has a long tradition of serving those who serve. That includes devoting our engineering and technology resources to give these veterans a competition-worthy cycle that honors their sacrifice for our country,” said Akerson.

Stronger, as well as more comfortable, durable and portable than current commercially available cycles, the cycle was designed by Michigan Tech mechanical engineering students as part of a senior project named Huskies Helping Heroes. Sponsored by GM and mentored by Chevrolet engineers and Michigan Tech faculty, the students spent time with the wounded veterans to observe their competitions and design a cycle that meets their needs.

Three-wheel hand cycles allow athletes to lean forward while pumping the wheels with their hands. For veterans who are amputees or who have sustained other serious injuries, this is often a better solution for racing than a traditional wheelchair. GM’s Military Discount Program underwrites several Achilles Freedom Team competitions, and has supplied cycles and a Chevrolet Silverado HD for transporting them.

First Lt. Travis Manion was moved by the members of FDNY Rescue Company One, one of the first fire companies to respond to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, after spending a day with them before his last tour of Iraq in 2006. Their hard work and sacrifice only reinforced Travis’ belief in serving his country. While Travis was killed by enemy fire in Fallujah later that year, his spirit lives on thanks to the Travis Manion Foundation.  

In July 2011, the GM Foundation and Chevrolet donated $250,000 to the Travis Manion Foundation to help take its 9/11 Heroes Run fundraiser nationwide.  

The 9/11 Heroes Run brought communities together in more than 25 U.S. cities to honor military, police, firefighters and first responders who have given their lives to protect and save others. Proceeds from the 5K races go to the families of fallen heroes.

Airbrush artist Mickey Harris created the “Strength and Honor” Camaro, a tribute to all five branches of our military. Commissioned by GM, this custom Camaro helps promote GM’s Military Discount.

Supporting the military is a way of life for Mickey. With his father fighting in Vietnam, he grew up and Air Force bases and learned how to draw by sketching the aircraft around him.