HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-26 Public Comment - R. May - Rally4Vets America Grand Tour Visiting Bozeman June 21From:Ryan May
To:joey@morrisonforbozeman.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.pdf2026 RALLY4VETS Grand Tour Press Release.pdf2026 Grand Tour Route Map .pdfRALLY4VETS Media Fact Sheet.pdf
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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 celebratingAmerica'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 wouldbe 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:https://www.instagram.com/rally4vets/
I've attached a press release, Robert's bio, and a route map. Thank you for your service to theBozeman community, and we hope to have the opportunity to connect while Robert is in town.
Best,
Ryan May
Public Relations & Media RelationsRally4Vets
(310) 291-2027Ryan@Rally4Vets.com
Ryan@rally4vets.com
ROBERT HESS
Founder & CEO, Rally4Vets / 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 Rally4Vets, 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 Rally4Vets 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:
(310) 291-2027
"VETERANS DON'T STOP SERVING WHEN THEY TAKE OFF THE UNIFORM."
Rally4Vets 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. Rally4Vets, 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 Rally4Vets' mission directly to communities across the country through visits with
veterans, civic organizations, and historic American landmarks.
Led by decorated Vietnam veteran and Rally4Vets 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 Rally4Vets' 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 Rally4Vets
Rally4Vets 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.
Ryan@rally4vets.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT:
(310) 291-2027
JUNE 7- JULY 16, 2026
Rally4vets
Ryan@rally4vets.com
MEDIA FACT SHEET
Overview
The Rally4Vets 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 Rally4Vets 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 Rally4Vets and the Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network. Through Rally4Vets, 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:
(310) 291-2027
37 DAYS • 6,554 MILES • 16 STATES • AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY