In 2003, Brian Fleming, a now-retired U.S. Army Sergeant, enlisted directly after high school, motivated by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. After completing his basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia, he was stationed in Korea before deploying to Afghanistan in 2006. Fleming sustained significant injuries from a roadside bombing, which resulted in his retirement occurring much sooner than he initially anticipated.
Today, the decorated veteran, who holds a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal, resides in Texas with his wife and two children. He is set to receive a Ford Escape without any financial obligation at the Mecum Auction in Houston, thanks to the Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF). Simultaneously, a customized 2018 GMC Sierra will be auctioned off, modified by fellow combat-wounded veterans; funds raised from the Sierra will assist in providing vehicles for other veterans like Fleming.
During his service in Afghanistan, Fleming faced a harrowing incident when a Taliban suicide bomber struck his vehicle. The explosion occurred just three feet away from him, leaving him severely burned and unconscious. He regained consciousness two miles from Kandahar Airfield, suffering from second and third-degree burns. Fleming underwent extensive treatment over 14 months at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, which included numerous burn treatments, reconstructive surgeries, and rehabilitation. He was medically retired from the Army on November 11, 2007, due to serious physical and psychological injuries.
Through the MWSF, Fleming sought help to acquire a vehicle for his family. This initiative supports combat-wounded veterans and widowed Gold Star spouses by providing vehicles, with recipients required to secure insurance and benefiting from a year of family and financial mentoring. After successfully completing the 12-month mentorship program, the foundation lifts the vehicle lien and transfers ownership to the veterans.
To finance its programs, MWSF accepts vehicle donations for sale. One such project is a 2018 GMC Sierra SLT, retrofitted by four veterans with automotive experience from the Skills4Life program, aimed at aiding veterans’ reintegration into civilian life. The veterans transformed a standard truck, which had over 19,000 miles, into an impressive vehicle that boasts a 6.5-inch suspension lift, custom Black Rhino Armory wheels, an upgraded sound system, and various other enhancements. In collaboration with Keurig Dr Pepper in Dallas, they invested more than $20,000 into the truck.
The GMC Sierra, wrapped in green and branded as “Hero 1,” is expected to go to auction around 1 p.m. CT today. Fleming expressed his hope that the auction will raise significant funds to support the foundation, which offers vital assistance to military veterans.
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