Bare Bones BBQ car show raises funds for Coryell County veterans

Bare Bones BBQ turned its parking lot on South Highway 36 into a veterans fundraiser on Saturday, May 23, sending $25 registration fees toward Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74 in Gatesville. The all-years, all-models format drew trucks, motorcycles, hot rods, rat rods, jeeps, Corvettes and more, giving the chapter a community event that raised support for Central Texas veterans who need advocacy, medical transportation and help with claims.

Chapter 74’s work reaches beyond trophies. The Gatesville chapter operates out of State School Road, is tied closely to the military presence at Fort Cavazos and works with American Legion Post 42 to help veterans who need a ride to VA care or help navigating benefits. DAV says it helps more than a million veterans each year, and its free transportation network has run since 1987 at more than 247 VA locations nationwide.

The local need is substantial. Coryell County had 10,175 veterans in the Census Bureau’s 2019-2023 estimate, and the county’s population was 86,370 in the July 1, 2024 estimate. Fort Cavazos, established in 1942 near Killeen, had 59,695 direct employees in 2023, including 38,642 active-duty military personnel, and the Texas Comptroller estimated its directly affiliated population contributed at least $39 billion to the Texas economy that year. Coryell County also lists Richard W. Smith as its veterans service officer, with Gatesville and Copperas Cove contacts available through the county office.

The fundraiser was built as a community outing as much as a competition. Bare Bones BBQ, at 4305 South Highway 36, paired the car show with inflatable obstacle courses, face painting, Kona Ice snow cones, live music by Ed Leonard and an adoption event hosted by Coryell County Pet Rescue. Trophies went to the best truck, motorcycle, hot rod, rat rod, jeep, car, Corvette, most original, most unique, most patriotic and best in show, and Morgan Smart was the listed contact for the event. Bare Bones BBQ has also hosted earlier DAV car shows, keeping the restaurant in the role of a repeat gathering place for veteran support in Gatesville.