Veterans & Community Auto Skills Center

11/03/2026

Sometimes I wonder what happened to simply being decent to each other.

Here’s someone complaining about two motorcycles sharing ONE parking space. Seriously? 😂

They’re actually leaving more room for everyone else!

People get so worked up over the dumbest things. Imagine putting that energy into helping a neighbor instead of finding something to complain about.

That’s part of why I started Veterans & Community Skills Center. Life is hard enough without us making it harder for each other.

Not everything needs to be a problem. Sometimes people just need to mind their business and show a little kindness.

Driven by Service. Built for All.

Two motorcycles in ONE regular parking spot.

I’m sorry, but when did this become normal?

The parking lot was already busy, people were circling around trying to find spaces, and these two bikes were sitting right up front in a spot meant for a full-size vehicle.

I get that motorcycles need somewhere to park too, but why don’t more shopping centers have designated motorcycle parking?

They take up way less room than cars, so it seems like such an easy fix.

Instead, everybody ends up fighting over the same parking spaces.

Maybe I’m being picky, but two bikes in one regular spot just looks ridiculous to me.

Would this bother you, or would you not care?

11/01/2026

Let’s talk about entitlement. Imagine losing your job, losing your wife, watching your savings disappear. Then your car breaks down, and someone decides their biggest problem is having to look at it.

You don’t know what someone is carrying. At Veterans & Community Skills Center, we’d rather ask “How can we help?” than shame someone for struggling.

A broken car can be fixed. That lack of compassion takes more work.

Gas stations are NOT supposed to be free mechanic shops.

Stopped to get gas tonight and there’s this beat-up Chrysler sitting in the parking lot with the entire hood propped open like somebody decided to open their own repair business.

I’m sorry, but at what point do we start telling people their cars simply don’t belong on the road anymore?

The bumper is damaged, the wheels look like they came off three different vehicles, and there’s writing all over the back of it.

And now everybody else has to look at this thing while they’re trying to get gas?

If your vehicle is having problems, call a tow truck and take it to an actual mechanic. Don’t turn a perfectly good gas station parking lot into your personal garage.

Some of us would like to shop without looking at a junkyard.

10/31/2026

🔧 A little update from Veterans & Community!

The past few weeks have been pretty decent. I’ve been keeping busy with automotive work, helping neighbors, and keeping older vehicles on the road.

Unfortunately, my neck has other plans. 😂

The right side feels like Bruce Lee kicked me square in the neck. I’ve already had it checked out, and it looks like more cervical injections and possibly another radiofrequency ablation are in my future. Even turning my head has become painful.

Being a stroke survivor with aphasia already brings its challenges, but I’m stubborn. I enjoy what I do, and I’m not ready to give it up.

And honestly, that’s part of why I’m building Veterans & Community Skills Center.

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Injuries, disabilities, setbacks, and circumstances can change what we’re capable of doing, but they don’t erase our knowledge, experience, or value.

I want this organization to be a place where veterans, young people, and anyone willing to learn can find opportunities in the skilled trades, share knowledge, and help each other.

I’m still building it one repair, one connection, and one person at a time. I may have to slow down a little, but the mission hasn’t changed.

If you need automotive help, want to learn a skill, or have experience you’d like to pass along, reach out. That’s what we’re trying to build here in San Angelo.

Life goes on. Might as well do some good along the way.

Veterans & Community Skills Center

Driven by Service. Built for All.

10/29/2026

Sharing a local event with our Veterans & Community Skills Center neighbors! 🎃

San Angelo’s Community Plan Launch Party is tonight, October 29, from 5 to 8 PM at Fort Concho, 630 S Oakes Street.

Bring the family for food, games, prizes, candy and a photo booth. A chance to connect with neighbors and be part of our community’s future!

10/26/2026

Over the past few days, we worked on our neighbor Bill’s wife’s 2018 Buick Encore. It had a failing PCV system, excessive suction at the oil cap, and codes for airflow and turbo underboost.

Veterans & Community Auto Skills Center ordered the external PCV repair kit so Bill didn’t have to wait until payday. The kit moves the failed internal intake valve outside the manifold, making it serviceable. We also found and replaced a split intercooler hose that was leaking boost. The Encore now runs like a new car.

Bill is a great neighbor, and his son is a Marine. This is what our nonprofit is about: using our skills to take care of veterans, their families, and our community when they need a hand.

I also want to recommend Corbyn Spaulding with Spaulding Trailer Rental. I used him to tow a vehicle from Sweetwater to San Angelo at a very reasonable price. He’s knowledgeable, friendly, trustworthy, and a good young man working to build his business.

Call or text Corbyn at (325) 933-9636.

Driven by Service — Built for All.

10/19/2026

You’re never too old to learn something new! 🔧

Robert Metcalf recently offered to teach me TIG welding, and I absolutely said yes! With his experience in motorsports, fabrication, and engine building, I’m looking forward to learning from him.

This is exactly what I want Veterans & Community to be about. People sharing knowledge and helping others discover the trades.

I’m a stroke survivor living with aphasia. I have my challenges, but I still have plenty to offer and plenty to learn. Haven’t made any money doing this yet, but I’m stubborn. 😂

There’s so much knowledge right here in San Angelo. Mechanics, welders, machinists, veterans, and people with years of experience.

Imagine what we could accomplish by sharing it.

Want to learn a skill, share your experience, or need a hand with your vehicle? Reach out!

Veterans & Community Skills Center

Driven by Service. Built for All.

10/18/2026

The 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix is now on Marketplace for $1,900, negotiable.

Another solid car with some life left. Runs well, A/C works, and the top end has been resealed with upgraded metal lower intake gaskets and new seals. Fresh oil and coolant too.

It still needs struts, a temperature blend door actuator, some dash pieces, and a transmission fluid change. It’s cosmetically rough, and the interior needs a good cleaning.

I can do the remaining repairs, but I don’t have the money to keep buying parts right now. If you’re interested, we can work out a price and discuss any repairs you’d like me to handle.

This is a personal sale to help my household. I’m sharing it here because bringing older cars back to useful life is part of what I do.

10/15/2026

Progress on the Grand Prix at Veterans & Community Auto Skills Center!

Big thanks to Valdez Muffler on N. Chadbourne. They tried heat and water to loosen the broken exhaust bolts, but ultimately had to weld nuts onto them to get them out. Awesome guys, and we appreciate their help!

Now we’re chasing why the cooling fans aren’t kicking on low with the A/C off. One step at a time!

10/10/2026

Making progress on the Grand Prix. Those deteriorated lower intake gaskets have been replaced with updated metal gaskets from ZZPerformance.

It’s also getting a new belt, tensioner and coolant elbow, valve cover gaskets and grommets, throttle body gasket, and all the O-rings, including the injector seals. Fresh Castrol synthetic oil and a new filter too.

Tomorrow I’ll finish putting it together, add fresh coolant, and check for leaks and proper operating temperature. One step closer to getting this old Pontiac back on the road.

10/08/2026

I fix older cars, and I’m building this nonprofit to help veterans get reliable transportation without a car payment.

The 2004 Grand Prix I’m working on is an example of what I can do. It runs well but has an overheating problem. Updated metal intake gaskets arrive today to address a suspected coolant leak. Fresh oil and transmission fluid are also part of the plan.

I prefer older GM cars because they’re straightforward to work on and parts are affordable. With around $2,500, I can buy and repair a solid older car. With funding, my goal is to hand a veteran the keys to one.

I enjoy working on people’s daily drivers too, but I’m one person. Cheap, fast, and mobile is a lot to ask. Good repairs take time. I’m here for the car culture, sharing skills, and helping people.

I’m not looking to get rich. I want to help someone get to work, appointments, or pick up their kids. We all need help sometimes.

Want to help fund a car, donate a vehicle, or contribute parts? Text 325-276-1328 anytime.

And be kind to each other. There’s enough hate already. Helping someone feels good, and even a little help can make a difference.