Marine veteran Frank Greenwood, left, sells a raffle ticket to another veteran earlier this month. His Cars & Stripes, a classic car celebration with funds benefiting military men, women and their families, is Saturday in Reno.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
He’s a Marine with a mission.
For more than 20 years, Vietnam veteran Frank Greenwood has raised money to help area veterans no matter their military affiliation.
On Saturday, Greenwood and many of his friends and sponsors will host Cars & Stripes, a classic car celebration on 3306 Kietzke Lane (in front of Sportsman’s Warehouse) in Reno with proceeds benefitting area veterans. Greenwood said the car show includes all makes and models and motorcycles.
“What we do is help the veterans’ community,” Greenwood said of his Community 4 Veterans organization. “What we do for the vet we do for the family.”
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., cars will be on display, and trophies for best of show will be announced at 2 p.m. ahead of raffle winners. From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the Robin Street Band will provide music.
Other organizations will set up tables to promote their causes such as Honor Flight Nevada, which sells T-shirts, hats, challenge coins and books about Nevada’s World War II veterans. Proceeds will help Honor Flight with its mission to fly veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the nation’s memorials built in their honor.
Sponsors include Mission Realty, Iron Mafia Car Club, Nevada Car Coalition and Hot August Nights Event Series.
Greenwood said the grand prize is a Polaris RZR Pro XP Limited, and other prizes include a rifle, handgun and whiskey package plus other prizes and a free barbecue for ticket holders.
Raising funds for veterans has been a passion for Greenwood for decades, and this year the Sparks resident is embracing a cause that puts the spotlight on survivor benefits for spouses.
“When a vet passes away, the spouse goes away,” Greenwood said. “The spouse doesn’t get a dime. The VA (Veterans Affairs) forgets they have a family.
“Everyone thinks it’s a big problem, and we really need to take care of these spouses when their vet passes away.”
As a veterans service officer, Greenwood is usually one of the first people to learn of the uncertain future spouses face.
Until Saturday, Greenwood will sit behind a small table in front of Sportsman’s Warehouse seeking donations and selling tickets to the car show. Greenwood also is building a data base for surviving spouses.
Always smiling, Greenwood said God has provided him with the opportunity to help others.
“A lot of people ask me what I get paid,” Greenwood said. “I tell them ‘What is the price of gratitude?’”
He pauses and then answers with a smile. “Priceless.”
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