November 1, 2012
A simple idea hatched in America to thank war veterans – and men and women currently serving their country – with a free car wash has spread from the United States to Kingaroy.
Grace For Vets – whose slogan is “Stand United, Wash United” – was founded about eight years ago by Mike Mountz from Cloister Car Wash in Ephrata, Pennysylvania.
The program offers a free car wash to current and former armed services personnel on Remembrance Day (November 11).
Mr Mountz, who is a veteran himself, says it is “a way to give back and honour those people who have served their country”.
For the past eight years he has built up the program to now cover all the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In 2011, 638 car wash operators – across 1446 locations – washed a total of 119,317 vehicles on November 11.
“This program is not about me or our carwashes, it’s about honouring our veterans,” Mr Mountz told the New York State Car Wash Association last year.
“It’s about giving back and in doing so you will be creating a customer for life.”
Mr Mountz was inducted into the International Carwash Association Hall of Fame on May 13, 2010 at the Car Care Expo in Las Vegas.
Locally, free car washes will be offered under the Grace For Vets program at the Kingaroy Car and Dog Wash, 12 Rogers Drive, from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Remembrance Day.
Kingaroy Car and Dog Wash owner Richard Mason said he was excited that the program had expanded internationally as it allowed more military service to be honoured.
“I’m proud to be a part of an industry that continually supports our military,” he said.
