The idea behind VetBuilt started, unknowingly, in 2004 - about 18 months after my discharge from the United States Air Force. As all veterans do when out-processing from their respective branches, I had a list of service related injuries and conditions that I presented to the VA in hopes they would continue treatment. However, I was denied and walked away thinking “that’s that” and didn’t know any better. Over the years some of my issues became worse and were greatly impacting my life, so in 2020 I decided to revisit the process and see if there was anything the VA could do for me. Several months later I received a call from the VA where a wonderful woman apologized and delivered the news, “I’m so sorry Mr. Keller, but we denied your claims in 2004 without ever seeing your medical records, but we will make it right and you’ll receive backpay back to the date you filed in 2004.” I was angry, but I appreciated them fessing up to their mistake and doing what was needed to make it right.

Upon receiving my backpay in 2021 I realized this was the perfect time to buy my dream car - a 1972 Chevrolet Corvette. The car I purchased was beautiful and in amazing condition, but it wasn’t “perfect”. I wanted it to be. So in the fall of 2022 I started what would become a 17 month, 1100-hour passion project for myself and the springboard to VetBuilt. Mind you, I had never tackled a project like this but I was determined to figure it out. I was “handy” and resourceful…how hard can it be? Next thing I know I have the car stripped down to bare fiberglass, bare frame, no interior, and I’m going to put it back together better than it was the day it rolled out of the factory.

It was during this time that I had started receiving medical care at the Kansas City VA hospital and would come in contact with so many amazing veterans of all ages and backgrounds. These men and women were heroes in my eyes and I began to feel that I wanted to give back…but how? It was also during this time that I was listening to a lot of podcasts of combat veterans telling their stories of triumph and loss, struggles that they and their fellow soldiers faced when they got out of the military, and worst of all the statistic that made me sick to my stomach and cemented that I had to do something - there are 22 veteran suicides per day.

I personally dealt with major depressive disorder and was used to “good days and bad days”, but it hit me that during this 17 month Corvette restoration I was as happy or happier than I had ever been. My alarm would go off and I was excited to start the day. At the end of a day I’d be covered in dirt, knuckles bleeding, and I loved every second of it. Then it hit me, “If I can be this happy and fulfilled, why can’t someone else?” The idea for VetBuilt was born. I started digging in to more podcasts, reading articles and research studies to pinpoint just what challenges veterans faced and how this idea of car restoration could be most beneficial to those in the greatest need.

I wholeheartedly believe VetBuilt will make a difference in the lives of veterans and I will do everything I can to make sure of it. Just like I was sure I could restore/rebuild a car even though I had never done it. The results speak for themselves, with the Corvette now having won many first place trophies in local, regional and even national shows. Mission accomplished. Onto the next…

Matthew Keller, Founder VetBuilt Customs