Combat-wounded veteran honored with keys to new vehicle
Photo News Release | April 22, 2021
Wells Fargo and Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa donated a 2020 Ford TRKS Edge through Military Warriors Support Foundation
Mesa, Arizona – April 22, 2021 – For combat-wounded veterans, transitioning from the military back to civilian life can be a challenge. That, combined with the cost of a new vehicle, can put added burdens on our nation’s military service members and their families. To help, Wells Fargo teamed up with Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa and Military Warrior Support Foundation (MWSF) to present a payment-free 2020 Ford TRKS Edge to retired U.S. Army Specialist Phillip Rousu during a special key ceremony on Wednesday, April 21 at the dealership.
“It means a lot to our family to receive a payment-free vehicle. It means there are really good people and organizations such as MWSF, Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa and Wells Fargo that care about us wounded service members and are willing to go out of their way to make our lives better after we return from combat,” shared retired U.S. Army Specialist Phillip Rousu. “Financially, this will allow us to sell our current, old vehicle, and have extra income to purchase our first home and move to Flagstaff sometime very soon. So, you can imagine how excited and honored we are!”
The donation was made through Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program, which awards payment-free vehicles and provides one year of family and financial mentorship to combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star families. According to the Foundation, the counseling has helped families in its program pay down an average of about $17,500 in debt.Phillip Rousu was born and raised in Arizona. He joined the Army in 2012 to follow in his brother’s footsteps and gain experience in the medical field. Specialist Rousu served as a Ranger Medic in 3rd Platoon, B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. In 2015, while deployed to Afghanistan, he was wounded in combat during a night raid and later received a Purple Heart for his injuries. After his deployment, Specialist Rousu continued his service at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and served until he medically retired in late 2016. Throughout his military career, he received many awards for his service and bravery including a Combat Medical Badge, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and more. Today, he lives in Anthem, Arizona with his wife and two children.Wells Fargo Auto, a division of Wells Fargo Consumer Lending, started the Sponsored Vehicle Donation Program in 2015, and since then have worked with auto dealerships across the country to sponsor the donation of more than 40 payment-free vehicles and family and financial mentoring, valued at over $1 million, to combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star families through Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program.About Wells FargoWells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.92 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 2352 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,200 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 31 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2020 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo.About Military Warriors Support FoundationMilitary Warriors Support Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, founded by LTG Leroy Sisco (Ret), in 2007. Their mission is to provide programs that facilitate a smooth and successful transition for our nation’s combat-wounded heroes and Gold Star families. Their programs focus on housing and homeownership, recreational activities, transportation assistance and leadership development. Through select programs, they have awarded nearly 900 mortgage-free homes and payment-free vehicles to combat-wounded heroes, Gold Star spouses, and their families in all 50 states. In addition to the home or vehicle, the families receive family and financial mentoring. For more information, visit MilitaryWarriors.org.About Larry H. Miller DealershipsLarry H. Miller Dealerships operates more than 60 dealership locations under 17 automotive brands in seven western states. The group has 12 Arizona locations. Larry H. Miller Dealerships has a strong legacy of giving back to communities where it does business. Through its charitable organization, Larry H. Miller Charities, more than $1.4 million has been donated to qualified nonprofit organizations throughout Arizona.For more information about Larry H. Miller Dealerships, visit www.lhmauto.com.Media Contact InformationWells FargoLiAna Enriquez, 602-647-9521LiAna.Enriquez@wellsfargo.com@WellsFargoMilitary Warriors Support FoundationJohn Hill, 210-204-6863 ext. 112Media@militarywarriors.org@WarriorsSupportLarry H. Miller DealershipsArizona: Sara Sturges, 480-234-7151ssturges@riester.comNational: Sara Waldman, 801-304-4922Sara.Waldman@lhmauto.com@LHMFordMesa@LHMAuto