Legionnaire uses talent to boost disabled veterans’ morale

Robert Rice’s recent interaction with a disabled veteran inspired him to use his talent as a classic car and truck airbrush designer "to lift up the spirits of veterans confined to mobility equipment."

At a car show, Rice airbrushed a disabled gentleman’s power scooter with a replica of the car he was exhibiting – a Dodge Challenger Hellcat – free of charge. During the design process, Rice - a Vietnam era Navy veteran - learned that the man was a disabled veteran. The veteran left with a custom design on his scooter only to return soon after with two friends to also have their equipment airbrushed. "That was when I made the decision to do this full time and at no cost for veterans," said Rice, a member of American Legion Post 143 in Pembroke, Mass.

Rice has custom designed five disabled veterans’ power scooters since his encounter with the veteran at the car show. The designs include military themes, flames, skulls, etc. "I could see a change in the veterans’ morale to have something of their own design ideas applied to their equipment instead of the same old humdrum styles," he said.

Rice is traveling to parades, events and veterans organizations with his new trailer, which was made possible by community sponsors such as Post 143. The trailer will be used as a workshop to make over veterans’ scooters.

Rice encourages Legion posts to contact him to host an event where mobility-bound veterans come to give their means of mobility a makeover. "My goal is to make disabled veterans’ lives just a tad more uplifting with a simple design that reflects their personality and pride for our country." Email Rice at wareagle210@yahoo.com.