Burton again offers free car washes to veterans

BRATTLEBORO — Burton Car Wash, with nearly 3,000 other car wash locations across the nation, will provide free, top-of-the-line car washes to veterans and current military service personnel on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The washes - part of the Grace For Vets Free Wash Program - will be given rain or shine at both Burton locations: 201 Canal St. and 873 Putney Rd.

The washes are given to honor and recognize those who have served and are serving in the armed forces - to let them know, Connie Burton said in a press release, that their service is appreciated.

Grace For Vets was founded in 2004 by Mike Mountz, former owner of Cloister Wash & Lube, in Ephrata, Pa. Following his service, and seeing seriously wounded veterans at the VA hospital in Valley Forge, Pa., Mountz vowed to find a way to honor them. Several years after opening his first car wash, he started the Grace For Vets Free Wash Program.

With the help of participating car washes nationwide, more and more military servicemen and -women are recognized each year through this program. In 2013 the program reportedly had extended 206,955 free washes.

According to Burton, Veterans Day, marked by the free car washes, “is a truly meaningful day for us. Our management team and employees look forward to giving back to those who have given so much.”

Burton said a collection jug at the Canal Street location is there for anyone wishing to donate to the Ruck-Up, Inc. Veterans Outpost in Keene, N.H., a nonprofit that provides advocacy, outreach, and peer counseling to veterans.

“Collecting for this organization is an ongoing project for us, and we are finding car wash customers are eager to contribute to Ruck-Up,” Burton added.

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