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Home My WebLink About06-19-26 Public Comment - R. May - Rally4Vets America Grand Tour Visiting Bozeman June 21 From: Ryan May To: ioeyCabmorrisonforbozeman.com Cc: Bozeman City Clerks Department Subject: [EXTERNAL]Rally4Vets America Grand Tour Visiting Bozeman June 21 Date: Friday,June 19,2026 10:06:02 AM Attachments: RALLY4VETS Robert Hess Bio.pdf 2026 RALLY4VETS Grand Tour Press Release.pdf 2026 Grand Tour Route Map.pdf RALLY4VETS Media Fact Sheet.pdf CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Mayor Morrison, My name is Ryan May, and I handle Public Relations for Rally4Vets. On June 21, decorated Vietnam veteran Robert Hess will arrive in Bozeman during the Rally4Vets America Grand Tour, a 37-day, 6,554-mile journey across 16 states celebrating America's 250th anniversary while raising awareness for veteran mental health and service dog programs. Montana is one of six priority stops on the tour, and Robert is looking forward to connecting with the Bozeman community. He will be making routine stops throughout the area and would be honored to meet with you or other community members during his visit. If helpful, you can follow Robert's journey and daily updates on Instagram at @Rally4Vets: hLWs://www.instagram.com/rally4yets/ I've attached a press release, Robert's bio, and a route map. Thank you for your service to the Bozeman community, and we hope to have the opportunity to connect while Robert is in town. Best, Ryan May Public Relations &Media Relations Rally4Vets (310) 291-2027 Ryann.Rally4 V ets.c om RALLY4VETS ROBERT HESS "VETERANS DON'T STOP SERVING WHEN THEY TAKE OFF THE UNIFORM." Founder & CEO, RaIly4Vets / Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network (DVEN) Full Bio Robert Hess is the Founder and CEO of the Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network (DVEN), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of veterans' issues, connecting veterans and their families with resources, and supporting service dog programs for veterans living with PTSD and other invisible wounds. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Hess was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 1967 and served more than two decades in a distinguished military career. His assignments included combat service in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and later with the 7/17th Air Cavalry. He also commanded an armored cavalry troop in Germany, served in multiple Pentagon assignments, and concluded his military service as a Political-Military Advisor at the U.S. Department of State. For his service, Hess received two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Following his military career, Hess earned his MBA from UCLA's Anderson School of Management and founded a successful consulting firm serving community banks. He also developed the TrakPointe Loan Pipeline Management System, recognized by BankNews as one of the banking industry's top new technologies in 2013. After becoming a prostate cancer survivor in 2003, Hess founded the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project and later the Cancer Journeys Foundation, expanding his commitment to helping others navigate life's challenges through education, awareness, and support. Following his own PTSD diagnosis, Hess founded DVEN to help veterans access resources, strengthen community connections, and improve quality of life. Through RaIly4Vets, he combines his passion for motorsports with veteran advocacy, using cross-country rallies and public engagement to elevate veteran stories and promote awareness of veteran mental health challenges. In 2026, Hess will lead the RaIly4Vets America Grand Tour, a 37-day, 6,554-mile journey from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., timed to coincide with America's 250th anniversary. PRESS CONTACT: Q (310) 291-2027 0 Ryan@rally4vets.com RALLY4VETS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 7- JULY 16, 2026 RaIly4Vets Launches 2026 America Grand Tour to Honor Veterans During America's 250th Anniversary 37-Day, 6,554-Mile Journey from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. Raises Awareness for Veteran Mental Health and Service Dog Programs LOS ANGELES, Calif. RaIly4Vets, the flagship program of the Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network (DVEN), will launch the 2026 America Grand Tour, a 37-day, 6,554-mile journey across 16 states in celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Beginning in Los Angeles and concluding at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the tour will bring RaIly4Vets' mission directly to communities across the country through visits with veterans, civic organizations, and historic American landmarks. Led by decorated Vietnam veteran and RaIly4Vets Founder and CEO Robert Hess, the tour aims to raise awareness of veteran mental health challenges, promote community engagement, and support programs that provide service dogs for veterans living with PTSD and other invisible wounds. "Veterans continue serving long after they take off the uniform," said Hess. "This tour is about honoring that service, sharing veteran stories, and bringing communities together around the people who have sacrificed for our country." The 2026 America Grand Tour is RaIly4Vets' largest mission to date and follows the successful completion of the organization's 2025 Military 250 Rally. Track Robert's Progress here! 2026 America Grand Tour Tracker For more information, visit Rally4Vets.com. About RaIly4Vets RaIly4Vets is the flagship program of the Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network (DVEN), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of veterans' issues, connecting veterans and their families with resources, and supporting service dog programs for veterans living with PTSD and other invisible wounds. 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'.' rant +�• a A'►�4?+s'9!i'i RALLY4VETS MEDIA FACT SHEET 37 DAYS • 6,554 MILES • 16 STATES • AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY Overview The RaIly4Vets 2026 America Grand Tour is a 37-day, 6,554-mile cross-country journey celebrating America's 250th anniversary while raising awareness of veteran mental health challenges and supporting service dog programs for veterans living with PTSD and other invisible wounds. Led by RaIly4Vets Founder & CEO Robert Hess, a decorated Vietnam veteran and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, the tour will travel from Los Angeles, California, to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., engaging veteran communities and supporters across 16 states. Mission The America Grand Tour uses the visibility of a cross-country road rally to bring veteran stories directly to communities across America while raising awareness of: • Veteran mental health • Veteran suicide prevention awareness • Community engagement and support • Service dog programs for veterans About Robert Hess Robert Hess is a decorated Vietnam veteran, Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, and Founder & CEO of RaIly4Vets and the Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network. Through RaIly4Vets, he uses cross-country rallies and community engagement to amplify veteran stories and support programs that serve veterans and their families. Media Opportunities • Interviews with Robert Hess • Tour vehicle photo opportunities • Community and veteran engagement events • America 250 anniversary features • Veteran mental health awareness stories • Live tour coverage and GPS tracking Key Stops Los Angeles • San Francisco • Portland • Coeur d'Alene • Bozeman • Yellowstone National Park • Mount Rushmore • Denver • Amarillo • San Antonio • Houston • New Orleans • Tampa Jacksonville • Charleston • Fayetteville • Washington, D.C. PRESS CONTACT: Q (310) 291-2027 0 Ryan@rally4vets.com r , � RAl C v ew _ ET r �-s t � ` JUSTOPIV[N too \\`\ nT Illglp ; ' iA ME RIC AN SAN �,��' LE:GIO _ ,t _