American Brawn Veterans appreciation supper slated for Nov. 4 in Grinnell

       Flying Solo, a Des Moines-based band, will be belting out the tunes at the Elks BPO Lodge in Grinnell from 7 – 10 p.m. during the American Brawn Veterans Appreciation supper and event on Saturday, Nov. 4. The band performs rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, classic rock and new and old country. The band and a round of competitive games are open to the veterans and their guests and the general public.

By J.O. Parker
 
       A veterans appreciation supper sponsored by the American Brawn Charity is slated for Saturday, Nov. 4 in Grinnell.
      The veterans-only supper catered by Hy-Vee is being held at the former Relish location at 834 Park St., Grinnell. Social hour and serving gets underway at 4 p.m.
      Following the meal, veterans and their guests are welcome along with the general public to meet at the Grinnell Elks BPO Lodge at 720 3rd Ave. for a round of competitive games and an auction beginning at 5 p.m. There is a $5 charge to participate in the games.
      Flying Solo, a Des Moines-based band, will be belting out the tunes from 7 – 10 p.m. The games and music are open to both veterans and the general public.
      American Brawn is a Grinnell-based outreach centered around providing funding and support for local emergency responders and veterans. It was founded in 2017 by Kent Reed.
   Reed, a representative and branch coordinator with Nagle Signs, founded the fundraising organization following a serious motorcycle accident in the Altoona area on June 2, 2016, that left him with three skull fractures and a brain bleed 
      “My life was saved by first responders who got to the scene and stopped the bleeding and got me to the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room (ER) where they saved my life,” he said.
To complicate matters, while in the ER, Reed had a seizure and developed a heart flutter as a result of the accident.
     “Overall, I spent eight days in the ICU at Mercy,” noted Reed. “I left the hospital using a walker because of vertigo and general instability from the brain injury.”
      Reed spent six months off work and was unable to drive while recovering from the accident.
     “I came back better than before,” he said. “Since then, I have been doing everything I can (to make a difference) with the rest of my life that God has given me to live.”
     While recovering, Reed decided to pay back and pay forward for what the first responders did for him and what the veterans have always done to keep us free and safe.
     The American Brawn Charity is under the direction of Reed and an eight-member advisory board, who Reed said, “Keeps him in line.”
     “The way we help the first responders is providing grants to purchase life-saving equipment,” said Reed. “Thus far, we have raised almost $80,000.”
     On Sept. 16, American Brawn hosted a First Responders appreciation event at the Grinnell Hy-Vee, where several first responders brought eight different emergency vehicles for area youth and families to see up close first hand and learn about the services they offer and personally meet and thank first responders.
    “Our mission is saving lives through raising awareness and prevention of suicide amongst first responders and veterans,” noted Reed.
     This Saturday’s event is to show our appreciation for veterans by providing a free supper. RSVPs are required for the meal.
      No reservations are needed for the competitive games and to hear the band.
   “Personal and family development professionals will be on hand for veterans only, with brief presentations on reducing stress, strain, and worries in all our lives,” said Reed.
      To RSVP for the meal, text or email Reed at 319-231-2382 or [email protected].
     For more information on the work the American Brawn Charity does, visit them on Facebook or check out the organization’s website at www.americanbrawn.us.
      “The thing I am most proud of is our links page on the website,” said Reed. “It has lots of mental wellness resources for anyone to view.”
     Those who wish to make a donation to the work of American Brawn can visit the website where you will find a donation button on the home page.