- A National tribute aboard the USS Midway in San Diego brings together Ford, NASCAR, host Rob Riggle, Blue Star Families, and an intimate performance from Zac Brown Band celebrating the military community.
- Ford, in collaboration with NASCAR, will present a special tribute race honoring the military called the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic. It debuts on Veterans Day 2026 featuring Mustang® Dark Horse™ Rs, and will be paired with a concert featuring Zac Brown Band and more.
- Ford revealed the new, limited-edition Super Duty® Proud to Honor package, with a portion of proceeds directly supporting Blue Star Families.
- Ford Philanthropy is hosting signature Ford Driving Skills for Life safe-driving program specifically for local military teens.
For more than a century, the Ford family and Ford Motor Company have stood proudly alongside those who serve.
From our role as the "Arsenal of Democracy" during World War II to modern initiatives supporting veteran hiring, military families, and a new defense part of our business focused on safety, mobility, and transport innovations for our troops — these efforts are woven into the very fabric of who we are.
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Ford is strengthening that commitment, honoring those who keep our country safe and the families that serve beside them.
Our military partners tell us that, amid the intense realities of deployment, families need substantive, lasting support — but they also need moments of connection, community, and joy. We have set out to deliver both.
On June 17, aboard the flight deck of the USS Midway, a storied aircraft carrier that once launched fighter jets in defense of the nation, Ford brought together an extraordinary coalition to honor this ambition.
Ahead of NASCAR’s first race on an active military base, I was proud to stand alongside Tim Clark of NASCAR, Ford Racing NASCAR drivers, Zac Brown Band, actor and veteran Rob Riggle, Blue Star Families, and more than 1,500 members of the local military community.
This iconic setting for generations of service members now launches something equally bold: the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, which will take place on November 11, 2026.
The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic will bring together the adrenaline of motorsports — featuring a race honoring all six military branches and piloted by Ford Racing drivers — paired with an exclusive, world-class concert headlined by Zac Brown Band and other notable acts.
The concert and race will be designed to drive impact for our military service organization partners.
To bring this campaign to the road, we also debuted the limited-edition Super Duty® Proud to Honor package.
Available on F-250®, F-350®, and F-450® models, this purpose-built truck features striking red, white, and blue styling, darkened exterior trim, and aggressive black wheels.
Most importantly, a portion of the proceeds from every package sold will go directly to Blue Star Families, supporting the military families who serve alongside our troops.
At Ford, showing up has never just been about one night or one race. We want to leave a practical, lasting impact on the local military community.
That’s why, later this week, Ford Philanthropy will host Ford Driving Skills for Life tailored specifically for local military families. This signature Ford program helps young drivers and parents learn critical skills to help them stay safe behind the wheel.
We are incredibly grateful to our partners for sharing our deep commitment to supporting the military community. By combining the thrill of racing, the emotional power of live music, and the inspiring stories of our service members, we are creating a unifying celebration of service. November is going to be historic, and we want all of you to be a part of it.
To get the latest updates about the Proud to Honor: Veterans Day Classic, including when tickets go on sale, subscribe to From the Road.
Nick Ford is Director of Corporate Strategy at Ford Motor Company.
