PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) isn’t exactly a fun topic to discuss. We understand that it’s not “fun” to talk about the side effects of war, but the reality is many of our brave defenders are dealing with PTSD when they return home. Not only is it affecting them, but also their families and friends. We want to talk the talk, while we walk the walk with BOOTS ON!

In the past 48 hours, we had the awesome surprise of getting to know three Hollywood Actors who understand that PTSD must be discussed– and they’re making a movie about it! Our new BOOT friends — Steven Grayhm (White Chicks and The Five People You Meet In Heaven) – Matt Dallas (Kyle XY) – and Charlie Bewley (Twilight and Vampire Diaries) — are traveling the country spreading awareness and encouraging Americans to get behind them in the quest to make the film, Thunder Road. (We now affectionately refer to them as the Thunder Road Boys)

For the past two years, these three actors and film makers have immersed themselves in researching the hidden world of veteran life. They’ve traveled across the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. They’ve talked to active duty soldiers, veterans, their families, VA doctors, clinicians and anyone that could give them a little bit more insight on the life of a veteran.

Using their celebrity platform they have gone above and beyond! In talking to them about their journey to make this film, we quickly realized they embody the three most important pillars of Boot Campaign… Cultivating Awareness, Promoting Patriotism, and Providing Assistance. Getting their BOOTS ON already, and they didn’t even know it!

I’m constantly amazed at the way social media has united the Boot Campaign team, and brought on countless new supporters. Let me take you back just a few days to how we met our new friends….

Boot Campaign Celebrity Supporter, Jesse Garcia, sent me a message on Facebook asking me to check out a project that his friends were working on. As soon as I saw the video that Steve, Matt, and Charlie had put together explaining their project, their goals, and their vision…. I knew I had to reach out to them! I sent a message back to Jesse asking him to put me in contact with the “Thunder Road Boys”… but if you know me at all, I got impatient, and went straight to Twitter! Blasted out a few tweets to the boys, and they responded right away. Score! SMALL WORLD, as it turns out they were meeting with one of our Charity Partners, Military Warriors Support Foundation, at that very moment.

It was already a little late in the afternoon so I figured I would wait until the next morning to reach out to them. Not even 30 minutes went by and Matt was leaving me a voicemail telling me they were on their way to Austin from San Antonio and would love to meet up with us. We grabbed a bite to eat. Chatted all things Boot Campaign and Thunder Road. The next day, they were walking through the doors of Boot Campaign HQ to have their first official “Boot Shoot.”

The Thunder Road Boys were only here for a few hours, but we all felt a common bond to share this story. As they hit the road to Dallas, BOOTS in tow, we agreed to help them promote their mission to get this film made. We’d LOVE for you to read more about their Thunder Road KickStarter Campaign, and their schedule of stops throughout the U.S. as they build support and much needed funds for the film.

We've departed Dallas, TX after a very productive stay. We wish we had more time to spend with the great people from various organizations we met with and of course enjoy the facilities at the NyLo South Dallas (who were generous to put us up in their support for our cause) but we'll be back in early September. I snapped this pic of Matt & Charlie during one of our many "meetings of the minds" (when we weren't buried in our laptops our on our phones). http://instagram.com/p/cxb5nCk66K/

...And on the rooftop with Charlie... http://instagram.com/p/cxgHsgk6xp/

I can tell you, you've never met three guys who work as hard or who care as much as we do about this. Your support gives us strength. I am so proud of the work that we have accomplished in such a short time and hope that this all translates into a successful campaign. The national media has begun to take notice of our little engine that could... more on that later.

On our way to Missouri for some really exciting events in Springfield and St. Louis over the next few days. Matt Dallas has agreed to lend himself to a kissing booth...yes...you just read that...for the #100KissChallenge for #SeniorsSupportThunderRoad. This is the promo video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2MweNSjTfM&feature=youtu.be

...and this is another one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCuOvVlffAs

There has been a lot going on behind the scenes through our outreach network and we will report on some major things in the works as they come to fruition. We have some really exciting strategies to help spread the word that we are launching on Monday...so stay tuned. You can also now use the following sit to link us to your friends, families and foes. www.ThunderRoadFilm.com

We appeared on WFAA ABC in Dallas and as I took some quick footage of us, I was encouraged to keep rolling by the anchorman who wanted to make it a part of the segment. Sneaky devil. (you can see the bts footage below) and watch the actual full segment on Monday, August 12th online: http://www.wfaa.com/
You hear it all the time...but we are so grateful for your taking a leap of faith on us and believing in our now collective film...and this great cause...our deepest gratitude...

Yours,
Steven, Matt & Charlie

A Message From Steven Grayhm:

I wanted to say thank you for choosing to follow our Thunder Road story here on Facebook. Matt, Charlie and I are looking forward to the adventure this next month will bring and we are hoping you will be a part of our story!

We were excited to wake up this morning and see that we'd reached over $100,000 in pledges. It's an inspiring milestone and we are so appreciative of such gracious support.

If you haven't had a chance to pledge, we ask you to consider backing us in this project.
If you haven't shared our link with others, we hope you'll post about our efforts and tag people in your life who might be able to pass our message along.

Your support in these ways is critical to us reaching our goal. Please click the link below to pledge and copy our link to share our message! It's time we start a conversation!

Warmest Regards,
Steven.

This is our message in a bottle as we drive through the foggy night back into Minneapolis to do the Tom Barnard Morning Show on KQRS Minnesota http://www.92kqrs.com/ (Hotlines are (612)379-2542 or 0182). Tom made good on his word and is bringing us on his show in hopes to make a dent in our fundraising goal. This is his PG broadcast for those that had a chance to enjoy us on his podcast the other day. NSFW!
#262 Thunder Road

The response to our Street Teams grassroots effort has been amazing! People are going into their communities all over the world helping us spread the message and bringing awareness to our KS page. Keep up the strong work out there! We appreciate it!

Please continue to share our link on your FB timelines and email blasts (remember to Bcc everyone though...yeah...dang).

Lotsa LOve

Steven, Matt & Charlie

A little delirium from the road...