Honoring the Service, Sacrifice and Camaraderie of Our Local Veterans

posted on Monday, November 11, 2024 in Dealer News

Deere and CAT dealerships joined forces to support the outing.At Martin Equipment, we value hard work, commitment and community. For Bobby Martin, our CCE Sales and Inventory Manager, these values extend well beyond his professional role.

Bobby dedicates his time to Full Metal Valor, a charity founded in honor of his friend, U.S. Marine Tyler Ziegel. Tyler, known as Ty to those close to him, was a Marine who served in Iraq and survived a devastating suicide bomber attack that left him with severe injuries. Ty passed away in 2012, but his legacy lives on through Full Metal Valor and the ongoing efforts of Bobby and his fellow veterans.

Every September, the Full Metal Valor team hosts the annual Tyler’s Eagles Memorial Golf Outing (Temgo). This isn’t just another charity event, however. Instead, it’s a space for honoring Ty’s memory; transforming grief, love and pride into something meaningful and raising funds for veterans’ organizations.

“The outing gives us a way to remember Ty and support those who served, just like he did," Bobby said.

Each year, Full Metal Valor selects a veteran organization to receive the golf outing’s proceeds. In 2023, the group raised funds for Fisher House, a foundation that provides free lodging to military and veteran families near military and VA medical centers around the world.

This year, the golf outing raised $20,000 for Greater Peoria Honor Flight, which offers veterans an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.

This Veterans Day, Bobby and the Full Metal Valor team presented their donation during the Greater Peoria Honor Flight telethon, showcasing the community’s commitment to honoring those who served. This event reminds us of the difference a united community can make when driven by respect and gratitude for veterans’ sacrifices.

For Bobby, supporting Full Metal Valor is about ensuring veterans feel valued and remembered while also showing families of fallen soldiers that they’re not alone.

“Our goal is to keep honoring veterans, especially when others might not,” Bobby said. “We want Ty’s family and friends to feel the love and respect for him, and to know his legacy lives on.”

To learn more about Full Metal Valor's mission and find out how you can get involved, click here: https://bit.ly/3O16wVK