On April 18, the Smokers & Cruisers BBQ Cook-Off & Car Show was held at the First United Bank Center to benefit the West Texas A&M University Veterans Network. This event was highlighted by a car show that featured 46 vehicles, as well as an International Barbecue Cookers Association-sanctioned cook-off in which 17 cook teams competed against each other. For various admission fees, guests were able to attend with proceeds going towards the WT Veterans Network.

The Veterans Network is dedicated to serving to approximately 600 WT students who are veterans or veterans’ dependents. The group offers many services to these individuals, including various academic programs, scholarships, peer counseling and group meetings.

“It’s kind of more of a community,” Laura Schulze, president of the Veterans Network, said. “We want that camaraderie between them because no one else understands a veteran like another veteran.”

With help from other organizations, the group held Smokers & Cruisers to raise funds for the program. Attractions included not only the car show and barbecue cook-off, but also various vendors, veteran service groups, and a fire truck and ambulance display courtesy of the Canyon Fire Department.

In order to prove the best service for members of the Veterans Network, events like Smokers & Cruisers are necessary to raise funds for the program, as well as to inform others about the organization.

“This event helps bring in more veteran students that don’t know we have a Veterans Network or maybe want to get involved but didn’t really know much about the Veterans Network,” Kristen Randl, senior Health Sciences major, said.