Bill Broadie, Senior Vice Chairman of the All American Beef Battalion (AABB) still remembers the day he returned home from the Vietnam War.
“I will never forget the plane ride home with all of the other wounded soldiers,” recalled Vietnam veteran and cattlemen, Bill Broadie. “I served with the U.S. Marines from 1966 to 1968, and I remember coming home from the war to a country that was violently opposed to the war effort and the troops that dedicated their lives to their country.”
For Broadie, the AABB is a way to ensure that the troops fighting the global war on terror never have to experience the same feelings he did as he returned to a nation that didn’t support the service of their countrymen. The AABB is non-profit organization that works to raise money to host steak feeds for the troops while promoting American beef.
And since the its inception in August of 2007, the AABB has worked hard in their mission to support the troops and promote the beef industry, hosting several steak feeds across the country with more planned in the future.
“Of course, we are so thankful to our sponsors, U.S. Premium and National Beef, for their generosity in helping make these steak feeds possible,” said Broadie. “With their kind donations of 600 ribeye steaks and more at a reduced cost, we have been able to host four steak feeds since July 3rd.”
Recently, the AABB hosted two steak feeds on September 20, 2008—the first honored the recently deployed troops of the National Guard 287th Sustainment Brigade in Salina, Kans. and the second celebrated the homecoming of the 185 members of the 35th Infantry Division in Topeka, Kans.
Both were sponsored by U.S. Premium Beef and National Beef and prepared by the Garden City Beef Empire Days PRCA Rodeo Committee. These sponsors and volunteers also helped with the steak feed in Fort Carson, Colo. for the homecoming of the Special Forces and Support Troops at the Watkins Armory.
Two steak feeds are planned for October 15-16, 2008 for the nation’s pilots and aircrews in Salina, Kans. at the A10 Gunnery and Bombing Event and for the 16th Wounded Warrior Transitional Unit from the Fort Riley Rehabilitation Center.
The All American Beef Battalion is a group of individuals within the United States beef cattle industry dedicated to support the troops fighting the global war on terror. They work to organize and sponsor steak feeds, entertainment, and programs with Service Members and their families.
