GRITs Veteran & Senior Resources

10/16/2026

🇺🇸 PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING JOHN JUANES TO THE GVSR BOARD OF DIRECTORS! 🇺🇸

At GRIT’s Veteran & Senior Resources (GVSR), we believe that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Some individuals simply continue finding ways to serve, and John Juanes is a shining example of that commitment.

We are proud to announce that John, a United States Army Veteran, has officially been voted onto the GVSR Board of Directors!

John has been part of our journey since the very beginning. Long before this appointment, he was already demonstrating what GVSR stands for through his unwavering commitment to veterans, seniors, and our community.

From our inaugural Veteran & Senior Resource Fair to our community outreach events, John has generously volunteered his time, talents, and photography skills. Whether capturing meaningful moments behind the camera or stepping up wherever a helping hand is needed, John has consistently answered the call.

His dedication to volunteerism extends well beyond GVSR, reflecting a genuine passion for making a difference throughout our community.

We also want to recognize John’s wonderful wife, Sandy, and the support she brings to this journey. We’re grateful to have them both as part of the GVSR family!

John, you’ve been helping build this mission since day one. Now we’re honored to have you help lead it into the future.

Please join us in congratulating John on this well-deserved appointment! 👏🇺🇸

Service Beyond the Uniform. Commitment Beyond Words.

10/15/2026

🇺🇸 BIG DEALS FOR HEROES! 🇺🇸

We love seeing our Big Country community come together to support those who have served!

A huge thank-you to 95.1 The Wolf, Abilene Big Deals, and the local businesses making this campaign possible.

Through November 15th, purchases made through Abilene Big Deals will help support local veteran organizations.

Every effort to give back to our veterans makes a difference! 🇺🇸

👉 https://abilenebigdeals.com/

Semper Fi! 🇺🇸

🇺🇸 BIG DEALS FOR HEROES 🇺🇸

Save BIG and support our veterans... ALL AT ONCE!!🎉

Now through November, every purchase on our Big Deals store helps support local veteran organizations!
🔗 abilenebigdeals.com

Sponsored by: Abilene Environmental Landfill/AEL Green Logistics, Great Lakes Cheese Company, Victory Trailer Sales, DK Fuel & Bluebonnet Detention Center

10/13/2026

I had the opportunity to learn about Soldiers Cross Training Center during the Permian Basin Honor Flight, and I wanted to take a moment to highlight the work they’re doing for veterans. 🇺🇸

Soldiers Cross is a Texas nonprofit focused on helping veterans build practical skills through hands-on training, including 3D design and printing, fabrication, and custom product development.

Their mission is centered on helping veterans gain useful skills, build confidence, create purpose, and potentially develop opportunities to earn income from home.

What really stood out to me is their “Veterans Serving Veterans” approach. Organizations like this are an important part of the network of resources available to our veteran community.

If you work with veterans, know a veteran who may benefit, or simply want to learn more about their mission, take a look at:

soldierscross.org

Thank you to Soldiers Cross for continuing to invest in veterans and their future. 🇺🇸

📸 Photo credit: Brownwood News

10/12/2026

🇺🇸 FROM STRANGERS TO BATTLE BUDDIES — A JOURNEY I’LL NEVER FORGET. 🇺🇸

In August, I met a Vietnam War veteran named Bruce Mills. Little did I know that just a couple of months later, we would share an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

This past weekend, I had the incredible honor of serving as an RN guardian for Bruce during the Permian Basin Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

As a Marine Corps combat veteran, I understand the brotherhood that comes with military service. But there was something especially meaningful about accompanying a veteran from a different generation and witnessing firsthand what this journey meant to him.

Together, we visited our nation’s memorials, including the World War II Memorial, the Marine Corps War Memorial, and the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Along the way, we shared conversations, laughter, and moments of quiet reflection.

We also had the privilege of spending time with other veterans, their guardians, and Gold Star families who joined us on this remarkable journey.

One of the things that stood out to me most was the extraordinary number of people who came together to honor these American heroes.

A special thank-you to Andrew for sharing his talent on the bagpipes, adding a powerful touch to the experience. I also want to recognize Heather Easley with KTAB News for joining us and helping share the stories of our veterans and Gold Star families.

To the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, medical personnel, and everyone behind Permian Basin Honor Flight: what you accomplish is nothing short of extraordinary.

Yesterday, my wife Acacia and I had the privilege of taking Bruce home. Looking back at the photograph from when we first met in August and comparing it to the one we took yesterday, I couldn’t help but reflect on everything that happened between those two moments.

We started this journey as strangers. We returned as friends.

❤️ NOW, I HAVE A FAVOR TO ASK.

Organizations like Permian Basin Honor Flight depend on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and communities to make these experiences possible.

There are still veterans who deserve the opportunity to visit the memorials built in honor of their service and sacrifice.

If this story moves you, please consider making a donation to Permian Basin Honor Flight. No contribution is too small, and every act of generosity helps support their mission.

🇺🇸 Help give another veteran the journey of a lifetime.

👉 https://www.permianhonorflight.org/

As the founder of GRIT’s Veteran & Senior Resources (GVSR), I believe supporting organizations that honor and serve our veterans is just as important as the work we do ourselves.

Bruce, thank you for trusting me to accompany you on this journey. It was truly an honor to be your guardian and, more importantly, to become your friend.

Semper Fi, brother. 🇺🇸

10/06/2026

Proud to help share this important opportunity for organizations serving Texas veterans and their families. 🇺🇸

The Texas Veterans Commission has opened applications for an estimated $31 million in Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grants for eligible nonprofit organizations and local government agencies providing direct services to veterans and their families.

As a member of the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance Advisory Committee, I’m honored to support the mission of strengthening services and resources available to veterans across our state.

📅 Application deadline: December 2, 2026

Please share with organizations that may be eligible to apply.

📢 Applications are now open for an estimated $31 million in Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grants! Application deadline is December 2nd, 2026.

Office of the Governor Greg Abbott announced the new funding opportunity, administered by the Texas Veterans Commission, for eligible nonprofit organizations and local government agencies that provide direct services to Texas veterans and their families.

👉Learn more: https://ow.ly/FQlE50ZUFqu

09/25/2026

What a day! 🇺🇸

A huge thank you to One Tribe Foundation for inviting GVSR to join their team at the 10th Annual Faces of Freedom: Midland Clay Shoot benefiting Freedom Service Dogs of America.

Adrian and the One Tribe team made us feel right at home, and between the shooting, the laughs, and the conversations, we couldn’t have asked for a better day.

Events like this are about so much more than breaking clays. They’re about building relationships with organizations and people who share a commitment to serving our veteran community.

We’re grateful for the invitation, the fellowship, and some new friendships. Looking forward to what comes next! 🇺🇸

09/23/2026

Free Fitness & Balance Screens

Another great FREE resource for our senior community! Hardin-Simmons University Physical Therapy faculty and students are offering fitness and balance screenings on October 2 at Houses for Healing.

Please share with a senior, caregiver, or family who could benefit!

To care for the sick of the Big Country by providing medical housing in Abilene, TX for those in difficult medical circumstances.

09/18/2026

Carry the Mission. 🇺🇸

This morning, I had the privilege of carrying the POW/MIA flag for an hour and fifteen minutes during the Dyess POW/MIA Remembrance.

I walked alongside young active-duty Airmen who had already been walking for nearly 10 hours. Their commitment to keeping that flag moving was something I won’t forget.

Today isn’t about how far we walked or how much weight we carried. It’s about those who never came home, those still unaccounted for, and the families who continue to wait.

Thank you to AFSA Chapter 1056 Dyess AFB, and everyone who carried the flag throughout this 24-hour remembrance.

You Are Not Forgotten.

09/13/2026

The walk may be over, but the mission continues. 🇺🇸

Right after we finished yesterday’s hike, Candyce Johnson with Abilene State Park and I had the opportunity to speak with KTXS about why events like this matter and the importance of continuing the conversation around Veteran mental health and su***de prevention.

Seeing Veterans, families, community partners, and friends walking together yesterday was a reminder of exactly why we Carry the Mission.

Thank you to KTXS Television for coming out and helping bring greater awareness to this issue, and thank you again to Abilene State Park – Texas Parks and Wildlife for bringing our organizations together for such a meaningful morning.

One of the things I shared yesterday was simple:

Even one su***de is too many.

We have more work to do, and GVSR will continue finding ways to bring people, resources, and communities together.

Carry the Weight. Carry the Story. Carry the Mission. 🇺🇸💜

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988. Veterans can call 988 and press 1.

Read/watch the KTXS coverage⁠:

Veterans and community members gathered on Saturday morning at Abilene State Park for the third annual Veteran Su***de Awareness Hike and Remembrance.

09/12/2026

🇺🇸 Today, we carried the mission.

This morning at Abilene State Park, our community came together for the first official Carry the Mission by GVSR event.

We walked for awareness.
We walked in remembrance.
We walked for those who are struggling.
And most importantly, we walked together.

What made today special wasn’t how much weight anyone carried or how quickly we finished the trail. It was seeing Veterans, families, community partners, and friends walking side by side for a common purpose.

A huge thank you to Abilene State Park – Texas Parks and Wildlife for partnering with GVSR and helping make today possible.

We were also grateful to have the Texas Veterans Commission and Surviving Families of Fallen Warriors join us and Carry the Mission alongside our community.

Thank you to the Friends of Abilene State Park for providing refreshments and taking care of everyone before and after the hike.

And a special thank you to GORUCK for supporting the launch of Carry the Mission by providing our GVSR Board with weighted vests and weights. Today, we had the opportunity to put those vests to work and quite literally carry the weight behind this mission.

Thank you to every person who showed up today—whether you carried weight, walked without it, brought a friend, shared a story, remembered someone you’ve lost, or simply walked beside someone else.

You were part of the mission.

And thank you to John Juanes for once again being behind the camera and capturing the people and moments that tell the story better than words ever could. 📸

Today reminded us that some of the heaviest things people carry can’t be seen. But we don’t have to carry them alone.

This was the first Carry the Mission—but it won’t be the last.

Carry the Weight.
Carry the Story.
Carry the Mission. 🇺🇸

💜 If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. Veterans can call 988 and press 1.

Please feel free to tag yourself, your organization, or someone you walked with in the photos.