CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A tailgating RV is helping injured troops one game at a time.
Among the many different types of trucks, cars and RV’ sporting Carolina Teal and Black there is one with a shade of green. Not packer Green, who the Panthers played on Sunday, rather the colors worn by thousands of U.S. troops. A military green. The RV is called the “Purpose Driven Rehab” a chance for fans to enjoy a different type of tailgating experience.
Five years ago Addie and Greg Zinone came up with the Pro vs. GI Joe event. It allows troops around the country the chance to play professional athletes and celebrities in video games via the Internet. As they traveled to different venues the Zinone’s noticed the situations of some of the wounded military men and women.
“We realized there was a bigger need.” said Pro vs. GI Joe President Greg Zinone
Many of the wounded had planned to make a career in service where forced to retire because of medical reasons.
“We needed to rehabilitate these guys and you know something like this is fun.” said Zinone.
So now injured troops like Chris Miller travel with the RV, and get paid to help set up and break down the RV and also interact with not only professional athletes but tailgaters who are welcome to come in and play video games. And injured vets get the chance to work alongside others who are in similar situations.
“I think it provides a lot of healing for us both mental and emotionally to be able to talk about stuff that we went through that nobody else can understand.”
