2012 BEEF Trailblazer Serves Up Steak To U.S. Soldiers

First order of the day when the All American Beef Battalion (AABB) pulls up is to erect Old Glory. Bill Broadie built a special flag pole that attaches to his bumper hitch, and the Stars and Stripes rise proudly above the activity, joined by AABB’s own battalion flag just below.

No detail is left unattended as the AABB volunteers prepare to work their magic. And the AABB volunteers are very committed to the Battalion’s mission, often paying travel expenses out of their own pockets.

With military-like organization, AABB volunteers pitch in and keep the process moving without being told what needs to be done. Their experience and dedication are evident from the instant they report for duty.

The AABB only cooks ribeyes for the troops and their families. Bill Broadie insists on only the very best for his brothers and sisters in arms, and he personally oversees every aspect of the meal’s preparation. Only USDA Choice steaks (rib eyes) dry-aged 30-40 days are grilled and fed to the troops.

One of the signature dishes at an All American Beef Battalion steak feed are the cheesy potatoes.

It has been said an army moves on its stomach. But it doesn’t hurt to have the kitchen upwind. Perhaps that’s why these soldiers worked double-time to set up the tables and chairs for the families of the 1-22 Infantry Battalion’s Organization Day. The smell of grilling steaks is a powerful motivator.

Meal preparation begins early in the morning when the All American Beef Battalion puts on a feed. What began as a one-time feed by a group of Kansas cattlemen to thank a Kansas Reserve Unit for their service in Afghanistan has blossomed into an effort that travels the U.S., putting on feeds nearly every weekend.

The All American Beef Battalion, while relying on volunteers to carry out its mission, couldn’t do what it does without donations. Steaks don’t come cheap, and Bill Broadie serves only the best, and he doesn’t skimp on the size.

The phrase “God Bless Our Troops” is embroidered across the back of every AABB volunteer’s shirt. And it’s a phrase the battalion volunteers take to heart, thankful that they can, in their small way, help fulfill that promise.

The All American Beef Battalion serves America’s military troops and their families nearly every weekend of the year somewhere in the U.S. This feed was put on for the 1-22 Infantry Battalion, stationed at Fort Carson, CO, after a deployment in Afghanistan. The purpose of the Organization Day was to show the families what the troops do to protect their freedoms.

Old dogs and young pups, but both are still eager for the hunt. Bill Broadie, founder of the All American Beef Battalion, gets the lowdown on the latest military technology from the soldiers who use it in combat.

Same soldiers, different wars. Bill Broadie spent a tour of duty as a Marine in Vietnam. He came back with two Purple Hearts but only one leg. But he still enjoys swapping tales with other combat veterans, whether they fought in the mountains of Afghanistan or the jungles of Vietnam.

It’s not quite the M-16 that Bill Broadie carried in Vietnam. Today’s battle rifles have a lot more technology and more sophisticated systems. But their purpose remains the same.

Under the watchful eye of a squadron sergeant, Bill Broadie mounts and sights one of the rifles that today’s troops carry into battle.

Marine leathernecks and Army grunts may enjoy kidding each other, but they stand proudly together under the same flag. There may come a day when the guns of freedom can remain silent. Until then, Bill Broadie will proudly stand side by side with America’s finest, doing what he can to thank them for their sacrifice.

Bill Broadie, founder of the All American Beef Battalion, and John Fort, one of the first volunteers to step up and join Broadie’s vision, take a well deserved break around the iced tea cooler.

To serve everyone a hot, juicy and well-prepared ribeye, the All American Beef Battalion uses the same coolers that commercial fishermen use to keep their catch frozen. AABB, however, uses the cooler-in-reverse method, keeping steaks hot and juicy until served.

While steaks are the main course, the All American Beef Battalion prides itself in serving ample quantities of a well-rounded meal. Here, John Fort checks the progress of all-beef hot dogs, prepared especially for the kids.

There is a camaraderie that exists between men of arms, regardless of age, regardless of rank and regardless of which war. If you ever meet Bill Broadie, ask him to tell the story of the young 4-Her who donates the proceeds from the sale of his steer every year so he can “buy Chance’s buddies a steak.” It will bring tears to your eyes.

Part of the 1-22 Infantry Battalion’s Organization Day for families was a demonstration of the firepower and accuracy that the unit’s tanks and Bradley vehicles bring. Even with reduced target range loads, the behemoths put on an impressive display of thunder and lightning.

Everywhere Bill Broadie travels with his regular job as a representative for Superior Livestock, he proudly carries the All American Beef Battalion message with him. Broadie and BEEF Senior Editor Burt Rutherford show off the magnetic sign that adorns Broadie’s vehicle.

The chow line is open and families eagerly line up for some of the best vittles they’ll ever eat.

Young or old, family, friends and active duty soldiers are well fed when the All American Beef Battalion prepares the meal. If anybody leaves hungry, it’s because they showed up late.

Cowboy hats and combat helmets may not seem to have much in common. But Bill Broadie’s vision changed that, allowing those in the beef business to say thanks to America’s troops and their families the best way possible—with one of the best steaks anybody will ever eat.

Youngsters get special attention and a special word from Bill Broadie everywhere AABB puts on a steak feed. It is their mothers and fathers who rise to the call and travel to distant lands defending America. And it is for them, and their future, that Americans have answered that call since the very beginning.

Volunteers with the All American Beef Battalion say they don’t necessarily need to be thanked for what they do. After all, their mission is to thank America’s troops and their families for their sacrifices. But this soldier’s smile speaks volumes about what AABB’s mission means to the troops.

A short break in the action allows the AABB crew to chat a moment. But soon, it’s back to slinging chow as more hungry troops and their families show up.

Bill Broadie, with the help of a few close friends, began the All American Beef Battalion so that America didn’t repeat the same mistakes from the Vietnam war. Broadie fought in that war, and then he fought a nation divided when he came home. He vowed to never allow another soldier to endure that again. The 1-22 Infantry Battalion, stationed at Fort Carson, CO, publicly showed Broadie their thanks for his efforts.

Give Bill Broadie a microphone and he’ll do several things—thank the troops and the families for their sacrifice, thank God for the chance to cook them a meal, and declare that “chicken is fowl. Eat beef!”

The 1-22 Infantry Battalion deploys ground troops along with tanks and Bradley vehicles. Here, troops show the effectiveness of an advance and engage action when the enemy is spotted.

In spite of the truly amazing technology the U.S. military has at its disposal, the Army first and foremost relies on boots on the ground and heads on a swivel for its success, just as it always has.

Will this young man someday answer his country’s call and put on the uniform of an American soldier? Only time will tell, but for the moment, commanding the wheel of an Army vehicle is about the coolest thing going.