Kansas cattleman, Bill Broadie, was just 19 years old when he was shot in Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. It was a long and painful helicopter ride out of the jungle and an even longer plane ride back to the U.S.
After losing his leg, Bill returned home to a nation in turmoil. Anti-war protesters not only disagreed with the dispute oversees, but they also angrily criticized the troops who served their country.
Fast forward to the four coordinated terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 that killed 2,977 people and injured 6,000 others. Bill knew he needed to do something to ensure that the troops who would battle the war on terror would be appreciated for their service.
That’s how the All American Beef Battalion came to fruition. The cowboy, who works for Superior Livestock Auction, thought the best way to thank the troops was with a ribeye steak dinner they could enjoy with their loved ones.
In 2007, Bill applied for non-profit status for his organization, and on April 26, 2008, he and a group of loyal volunteers hosted the first AABB steak feed to members of the Kansas National Guard in Olathe, KS.
In just over 10 years, the All American Beef Battalion has served over 400,000 people spanning 26 states. The All American Beef Battalion credits the longevity of the organization to the volunteers and generous donors and fundraisers across the country.
