Celebrating Freedom, Remembering the Fallen

Memorial Day

Every year, on the last Monday of May, we take the day to remember and to celebrate the brave servicemen and women who paid the ultimate price to protect our country. While only one day a year, this day represents a lifetime of service and sacrifice to this country.

Our hearts and our minds rest with those who are left behind: family, friends, and brothers/sisters in combat. It is hard to put words or actions forward that could possibly express our gratitude for the freedom we have received amidst the pain of their loss.

How we honor those who serve:

Fortunately, Americans across our nation have come together to form support groups, charities, and clubs to spread awareness for those who serve and have served. These charities often focus and specialize their efforts in helping veterans and families of the fallen. We have a few of our favorites, those we feel are most impactful, listed below:

  • Fisher House Foundation - link
  • Wounded Warior Project - link
  • DAV Charitable Service Trust - link

We encourage everyone reading this to donate, volunteer, and to spread awareness to others that freedom is not free. Each day we live, every trail we drive, and every sunset camp we make, we owe to them. Over the years, a number of builders have felt the same sentiment, reaching out to us over at BDS Suspension for partnership in tribute builds for different branches of our Armed Forces. We take great pride in our involvement with these support groups, charities, and veterans. It is amazing to see a community of passionate people come together and support great causes with great builds. Read a bit about these trucks and the organizations behind them, helping to remember the fallen each and every day.

Operation Fearless: Adam Brown Tribute Bronco

Bronco-OpFearless-1

The Reason:

Adam Brown fought for this country. He was a true American patriot and modern day hero who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our freedom in the Middle East. Adam was a Navy SEAL Chief fighting in Afghanistan in 2010 when his team was attacked. Adam was killed in the battle, but his brave actions saved many of other members of SEAL Team Six and he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for Heroism. His passing left a void for many, but none more than to his wife and 2 children. Adam’s remarkable story has been told in the news and in print, find out more about his life and sacrifice at Remember Navy SEAL Adam Brown or in the book Fearless.

The Rig: 

The Bronco Project came about as an opportunity to rebuild/restore Adam’s first car, a 1991 Ford Bronco. This Bronco build is a tribute to Adam being overhauled as a gift for his 2 kids, Nathan and Savannah. This project is just a small piece of the memory of Adam Brown and features a number of cool and custom components in his honor along with countless hours invested by the build team at RKM Performance.

The initial build plan was to restore the Bronco, but after the team began discussing Adam’s life and what would be a worthy tribute, they pulled out all of the stops and transformed it into what you see today. This frame-off build includes a 5.0L Coyote engine putting out north of 400 horses, a Transzilla F56 6-speed manual transmission, 241 GM t-case, and built front and rear axles. Exterior mods include a custom fiberglass front clip and flared fender assembly, custom bumpers, Rigid LED Lighting, Warn winch, and a matte desert tan paint scheme. Interior changes include a full roll-cage, racing seats, and a one-off custom dash with cockpit-influenced gauges and switch panel. For the suspension, the opted for a BDS 4” Radius Arm Lift Kit with dual shocks and rear leaf springs to go under this truck allowing for enough clearance for 38×15.50 Nitto Mud Grapplers and 18” Fuel Hostages to be installed. After being completed in late October of this year, the truck went onto promotional tour at car shows, fundraisers as well as showing in BDS's booth at SEMA a few years back.

BDS Suspension is honored to be a part of this project and thankful for the opportunity to give back to the brave men and women service this great country and protect our freedom. God bless you all!

Back Country Access: BRC Ford F150

F150-BRC-4

The Rig:

Ford F150, dubbed "Back Country Access" was designed by Jhan Dolphin of J. Robert Marketing in partnership with Black Rifle Coffee Company and premiered at SEMA. This vehicle features tasteful upgrades combined to create a rig that was meant for being driven.

First, the truck was fitted with our BDS 6" coilover lift system complete with FOX shocks. This system allowed for easy installation of 37" tires wrapped around 20" wheels. Warn bumpers and a Warn 97600 front recovery winch paired well with some Rigid trail lights to really send the message that this rig was ready for more than just a truck show.

Additional accessories include TruckVault bed storage, Yakima roof rack, a built in refrigerator, Katskin leather seats, a full sound system upgrade, CB Radio, and all the things needed to make the perfect cup of coffee on the go.

The Reason: 

Black Rifle Coffee Company was founded by a Green Beret, and has committed to hiring more than 10,000 veterans.  They were a partner on this build, but the real reason they are featured in this list is because of the work this veteran owned company does outside of the office.

Not only do they hire veterans, they have developed a fund to support veterans, first responders, and families as well as providing aid to conservation efforts. They assist directly in the connection of veterans and services, partner with charities, and even provide training to veterans looking for self betterment. They want to make it possible for as many transitions into civilian life as possible.

For us here at BDS, highlighting this company and their build honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice by supporting and promoting the success of the people closest to them. Providing tools to enrich and support veterans is vital to honoring our military's commitment to protecting our freedom. If you want to learn more about the BRCC Fund you can find that information here:

https://www.brccfund.org/

High Honor: GMC Army Service Tribute

GM3500-HighHonor-1

The Rig:

A digital camo wrap with UV graphics pops especially bright when the sun hits the sides of this badass, clearly military-themed, GMC dually. Flares provide additional width to adequately match the trackwidth of  35×12.50×22 Toyo M/Ts mounted up on 22” Fuel Full Blown wheels. Our BDS 6.5” High Clearance System complete with FOX  2.0 shocks at each corner was installed to provide clearance for tires as well as additional travel.

Up top a Rackworks storage rack was mounted, holding (4) 50” LED lightbars and some truck security/surveillance cameras. (Yes we know, its 2022, NO MORE LIGHTBARS, but when this truck was built it broke necks and featured the most badass parts available at the time)

Iron Cross HD steps make accessing the cab and bed easier. The bed features a pair of Diamond Performance stacks, TransferFlow fuel cell, CargoGlide bedslide and a Truck Covers USA bed cover. Out back the truck has a custom set of "High Honor" mudflaps, and a Iron Cross bumper with EVEN more LEDs and cameras wired up.

Under the hood the stock 6.6L Duramax was fitted with several upgrades to an estimated 575Hp/950Tq. Upgrades include an AFe Power cold air intake, Banks Power straightshot methanol injection kit and Banks IQ 2.0 along with Edge Products cuts evolution tuner, Diamond Performance dual exhaust with Diamond stacks. Inside the cockpit the factory stereo/navigation were supplemented by a CB radio, police scanner, and iPad. From controlling lights and monitoring engine vitals to 360 degree video recording this GMC is a mobile command center.

The Reason:

Kelly, now retired from the US Army, spent several years serving this country and has taken a lead to help out and give back to our military veterans. He began the Rev-It-Up for Wounded Warriors Memorial Tour, a rolling tribute to those that have served in our armed forces. The tour raises awareness, support, and money for veterans and their families as Kelly tours the country attending events.

Although dated, BDS showing his rig in this list is a tribute to all the campaigns for funding and awareness of veterans issues that Kelly supported and championed.

Determined One: One Badass Vet Owned HD

GM2500-DeterminedOne-8

The Rig: Wrapped to resemble a tank, this military built and owned rig is one of the best driving trucks of its year courtesy of our BDS 6.5" coilover conversion system along with Recoil traction bars all finished in custom powder-coat. This system has been rigorously tested to maximize travel and performance on and off the pavement. Fusion bumpers are amung the laundry list of mods made inside and out to this GMC 2500 HD rolling on 38" Fury tires on 26s.

The Reason: For the owner of this truck, an active duty Air Force member, the main goal of his truck theme is to celebrate all of his friends who serve and have served alongside him. He maintains the vehicle and drives the vehicle daily to enjoy the freedom that his service and the service of the men and women who came before him have created.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *