(l to r) Adam Greathouse (DAV), Patrick Hattman, Douglas Frazier (Maaco) in front of the vehicle gifted to Hattman (Photo: Clint Gaige, PNN)
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — It was a dreary rainy day in Martinsburg, WV. Never the less, Patrick Hattman got out of bed ready to help out with a veteran’s sporting event. At least, that’s what he thought. Meanwhile, across town at the Maaco shop preparations were in full swing.
General Manager Douglas Frazier originally had an idea to give away a car, but said he didn’t want to just do a random drawing and end up giving the car away to someone who may not need it. So, he asked himself, who might really need one. After sleeping on the idea for a few days…he thought about veterans but again, he wondered how he could ensure this vehicle got to someone in need so he reached out to Disabled American Veterans:
“So I called a couple of places and finally called the Disabled American Veterans. Adam Greathouse said, ‘I have the perfect candidate for this,” Frazier said.
Once RPM Pre-Owned Auto Sales heard what he was doing, they donated the vehicle. It needed a few things to get it ready, which Maaco did. “He let us keep the car,” once he heard Frazier’s idea.
Other partners in the endeavor were Car Quest and Auto Zone, as well as Mission Barbecue and the American Legion.
On Saturday, Hattman was in the Panhandle thinking he was there to help out at a veteran event. But instead he was walked back to a room at the Maaco and shown a Buick with a blue bow on top. When he learned the vehicle was for him, he was clearly surprised.
Adam Greathouse is the State Commander of the Disabled American Veterans of West Virginia. He says he has known the Huntington veteran for about 12 years. “Patrick Hattman has been selflessly serving others in his community for years, forgoing his own comfort to help others,” according to Greathouse. “As a member of DAV (Disabled American Veterans), he regularly serves at the Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center in any capacity they
need him, including mentoring with the recreational therapy program, pushing wheelchairs, helping patients navigate the building and offering companionship. He’s been a house sitter for a blind veteran who was away at rehabilitation therapy. He’s paid vehicle rental fees out of his own pocket to make sure other veterans can get to their medical appointments.”
“He does all of this and gets where he needs to go by walking or taking public transportation,” Greathouse says. “He hasn’t owned his own car since 2017.” Instead, Hattman would rent vehicles to make sure he could get a veteran to an appointment.
“He’s still serving without wearing the uniform. That’s the oath we take. That’s what kind of human being, man, and military veteran, and I’m proud to have him as a DAV member.
Here’s what Greathouse said of Hattman ahead of the big reveal:
For his part, Hattman said, humbly, “I thought we were coming for some VA activity. I had absolutely no idea.”
Story by Panhandle News Network reporter Clint Gaige.
Here is the vehicle as it looked when Patrick Hattman was brought in. In the back were gift items from a number of local businesses, including Auto Zone and Car Quest.
