War wounds, visible and more often invisible. A lack of structure, a lack of mission. Seemingly endless government bureaucracy. These issues often take center stage among the many problems veterans face–and rightfully so. However, there’s one more issue that often flies under the radar. It’s what Battle Scarred Motorsports seeks to address.
“I can’t tell you how many veterans I …
I'm not going to try and act like I understand what it's like to be a vet or a first responder, but any organization helping to prevent people from going to a dark place is honorable in my book. Bonus points because it's getting more people to play with cars. 
I can personal bear witness to what this program can do. I started out on an ambulance in about 1986 or 87. Later I also joined the local fire company. I started working as a communications officer for two different local PD's. I ran rescue and fire in NJ, then PA, and then eventually moved to VA where again, I ran rescue. I was hired by my city in 1994 as a police officer and I continued to run rescue. I worked hard and was very good at catching the really bad guys. I've seen, smelled, and done things no other human should have to do. During my career I was shot at, stabbed, attacked with all nature of blunt objects and fought many people. I was injured multiple times. In 2005, I was hit by a drunk driver while on duty. That impact caused a traumatic brain injury. Since that time I have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, visual somatosensory vestibular mismatch, C-PTSD, anxiety, and depression among other things. I read on Facebook about Battle Scarred Motorsports and reached out. I was able to attend Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama for this past Lemons event. Man that's a long drive from Virginia. The chapter of the team that attended this event was from Georgia. The folks on the team welcomed me in like I was a long lost friend. I was there to crew for the team. I was able to help a little get the car ready for tech. The next day would be race day. I was the gas man for the fuel stops and driver change stops. I really enjoyed the experience with the team and being at Lemons. I look forward to the next time I can participate with them at an event. Maybe sometime I'll save up the money to drive. It seems once your a first responder and get hurt, you're throw away as useless. You do end up alone with no place to turn. It becomes a very dark place and is very lonely. I'm glad there of groups like Battle Scarred Motorsports who will step up and help!!!
Ted Marriner
Retired, Master Police Officer
City of Virginia Beach, VA
I looked and there are two races in Ohio this year, reached out about volunteering.
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