USAA presents Army veteran a new Chevy Trax, giving him hope and a reliable way to attend college and achieve a rewarding career.
When Army National Guard veteran Patrick Huber received the keys to a 2025 Chevy Trax RS from USAA, it was more than just a vehicle. It was a symbol of hope and the catalyst for a fresh start after years of struggle.
The American Legion nominated the 41-year-old Huber, who served from 2003 to 2009, to receive the vehicle. The Chevy Trax was given to Huber during a ceremony on Dec. 10 as part of the festivities leading up to the Army-Navy Game presented by USAA. The American Legion is an affiliate sponsor of the game, which will be televised at 3 p.m. Eastern on Saturday by CBS.
For Huber, the vehicle could not have come at a better time.
He is starting classes next month at Hagerstown (Md.) Community College, pursuing a degree in radiology. However, the car he had been driving turned out to have hidden damage and title problems, requiring constant repairs and tire replacements every few months.
Given those car issues, the 45-minute commute to campus had been weighing on his mind.
“Now I’ll have reliable transportation back and forth to college,” he said, noting the two-year program offers both stability and a clear career path. “While I go through college, I have a vehicle that is reliable and won’t let me down.”
Huber has faced a long and difficult road since his military service.
For 15 years, he grappled with the aftermath of his experiences overseas, both as a soldier and later as a private security contractor. The toll of repeated deployments, lost relationships, and unresolved trauma led him into what clinicians call rumination — a cycle of anger and depression that kept him isolated from the world.
“I was angry at the whole entire world,” Huber admits.
But three years ago, he made a life-changing decision to enter a PTSD program at the VA. Through continued therapy, he’s been rebuilding his life piece by piece, reconnecting with family and friends, and learning to prioritize his own wellbeing.
Before seeking help, Huber channeled his energy into giving back to others. He served as guardian to his nephew and founded his own youth wrestling team, focusing on kids who needed the sport most. For example, kids who had lost parents to addiction or whose families couldn’t afford tournament fees.
Though he eventually had to step away to focus on his own recovery, that commitment to helping others was part of what led to his selection for the USAA vehicle award.
Huber is grateful to USAA and The American Legion, as well as VA, for not only the vehicle but how they provide support systems that keep veterans connected to hope and community.
“Without organizations like The American Legion, most veterans’ stories would end with ‘the end’ instead of ‘to be continued,’” he reflects. “For me, it means everything because now I have another shot at life.”
As he prepares to start college and work toward a career in radiology, Huber sees this gift as more than transportation. It’s a tangible reminder that his story isn’t over. He is simply beginning a new chapter.
“I don’t know who I am yet,” Huber said. “But now I’m at the point where I can find out.”
- News