Veterans Tribute Car and Bike Show Returns To Valley Forge Area

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — The third annual Freedoms Foundation Valley Forge Chapter 'Tribute to Veterans Car and Bike Show' will be back on Aug. 28 after sitting out a 2020 show with cars and the stories behind them.

The show opens at 9 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. Saturday at 1601 Valley Forge Road and contestants register the day of the show, for a $20 entry fee.

The show organizer said spectators don't have to pay. "Just come and enjoy the cars," said Freedoms Foundation Valley Forge Chapter President Amy Braccia.

"Our veterans and military personnel serve and sacrifice so much to defend and protect our freedom and liberty, and we are honored to thank them and pay tribute to them for all that they do for America," said Braccia.

The Tribute to Veterans Car and Bike Show features classic and vintage cars, imports, trucks, and motorcycles in competition for trophies, awards, and prizes. Hundreds of cars from around the tri-state area attended the first and second shows and Braccia said they are expecting an excellent turnout this year.

As the show begins, the color guard presents the colors at 10 a.m. and the show organizers ask all active military and veterans to follow in, behind the flag, Braccia explained.

The show is professionally judged by JDR Car Shows, whose judges will bestow 16 specialty awards that are handmade by Tom Johnson. All proceeds for his work go towards Camp Rainbow of Schwenksville, a nonprofit residential camp for Montgomery County children.

Registration is day-of-show; participants show up, and it's $20 per car to enter. "We also have sponsors that help with costs of trophies, T-shirts, gift bags, and advertising. It helps offset costs," Braccia explained. The entrant who wins Best of Show gets a 5-foot trophy. The awards ceremony is at 2 p.m.

Cars Come With Stories

Braccia recalled some memorable entrants in the first shoes. In 2019, the specialty award for the Most Patriotic went to a huge truck with all branches of services honored. There are also awards for Veteran's Pick, President's Choice, and others.

Braccia said, "I like to walk around and ask what gave them ideas."

The first show's President's Award went to a yellow Camaro that belonged to a gentleman whose son had been paralyzed playing baseball. "I get emotional talking about it it touched me so deeply," Braccia said.

She said after viewing the Camaro, and chatting briefly with its owner, it was a friend of the man who tipped Braccia off to the full story, telling her to ask the man about the pictures in the back seat of the car.

Braccia learned the yellow Camaro belonged to the man's son who first bought it to fix up and use as a show car. The son's baseball injury left him only able to move his head, she said.

The young man's dad and friends decided to work on the car, along with his disabled son, and together they got it the way he wanted it.

The man told Braccia that once the car was ready, they took his son for a ride in the Camaro, making special accommodations to awkwardly strap him in so that he could experience the ride.

"It was so touching. He didn't tell me when I was going around, he wasn't trying to get the award with the story," she said.

Braccia gave him the 2018 President's Choice award. She said afterward, the man's son sent her a thank-you message using his voice-type email.

She shared another story of an older gentleman who entered a beautiful 1940s vehicle, who said it was his childhood family car. "It was pristine," Braccia remarked. The family had taken it on vacations and his entry included a picture of himself and his parent in front of the car when he was a small child.
"The stories behind the cars, that's what really gets me," Braccia said. "I take time to walk around and talk to the people. It's more than just looking at a car. The work, time, and passion behind all of it are amazing to me."

New For 2021 Show

This year's show will offer tours of the Medal of Honor Grove, by golf cart. The Medal of Honor Grove is the oldest living memorial honoring all 3,508 U.S. military men — and one woman — who were awarded this highest military honor. There is no charge for the tour. All donations go to The Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove, a nonprofit that maintains and beautifies The Grove.

"We are always looking for volunteers to help our chapter grow," Braccia added.

The car show has raised funds to send students and teachers to the Spirit of America program, and some funds go toward the chapter's Local Hero gala. "We don't charge, because to charge someone to come honor local heroes doesn't seem right. We don't want to profit off of someone doing something good."

Braccia's dad was formerly the President Freedoms Foundation Valley Forge Chapter, and he was trying to get someone to take over, she said. She said she and her mom joined to see what her dad was doing, and she ended up becoming the new President. "Ironically, now I am trying to find volunteers and help," she said.

The Freedoms Foundation Valley Forge Chapter will be taking donations at the event forDavid's Drive again, as they've done in the past. Anyone who'd like to may bring new or gently used clothing and/or personal hygiene products for veterans in need.

Aug. 29 is the rain date for the car show.

Sponsors are: Braccia Builders, Geico - Springfield, Pellegrino Auto Group, Margarita's Restaurant, Wouch Maloney & Co., Hidden Springs Landscape, Griffin Drywall, Lion Rock Water, and Piotrowski Architects.

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