Inspiring USA-Ink: Announcing Free Tattoos For Veterans
By Jack Sercu
You’re probably thinking, “Wow, that’s a sweet tattoo” —because it is.
And if you knew the reason somebody had it, and the way they got it, you'd like it even more.
Reader, meet Branded Warriors Inc. Branded Warriors Inc, meet reader.
BWI was established in March of 2016, with a mission to help put an end to the 22 vets that take their lives every day.
Their method of doing that is tattoo therapy. Founder and CEO Brian Conwell was moved to start BWI after tattoo therapy helped him cope with many of the issues he sustained in 10 years in the Army.
Once a veteran contacts BWI, it coordinates payments for a local tattoo shop to give the veteran a tattoo, using the money they raise. Leading up to the tattoo, Conwell has lots of vet-to-vet conversations. Following that, the veteran goes in themselves, meets with the artist, then designs and receives the tattoo.
How you can help:
If you're a tattoo artist...
You can donate your time and materials to make a tattoo free for the veteran, which is also tax deductible. Contact bconwell0@gmail.com if interested in doing so.
If you own tattoo shop...
You can donate your service which is also tax deductible, and results earns your business BWI-preferred status. Perks also include free advertising on social media and and radio. Contact the above email address if interested.
If you're in the area...
Attend a local fundraiser like the Halloween Fundraiser in Phoenix, AZ this Saturday, October 29th (details below), or the America Helping Our Veterans, Our Heroes event on November 19th in Greenville, South Carolina.
If you can't make it...
You can still buy tickets to the raffles that will take place at the fundraisers. Get yours from anywhere around the country by emailing jamie777miller@yahoo.com Prizes include a shotgun and other items.
If you want to do a straight donation...
Donate to their GoFundMe
Tattoos are very important to veterans, and they serve as a tangible form of expression, allowing them to express their feelings, previous events or anything else they would like to. In addition to coordinating tattoos, BWI serves as a friend and mentor to the veterans if they are struggling.
Hi Matt,
Thank you for the comment. This article doesn’t talk about his issues other than the fact that he used tattoo therapy to help—like many other veterans we know. This is a post to discuss a non-profit to help veterans transition and heal. If you feel that something is being misrepresented here, please contact us direct at info@combatflipflops.com. Thank you.Griff
How do I contact them as a combat vet to sign up to receive a tattoo and to help spread the word and help the cause.
Is this real? I am a veteran and I’ve never heard of this. Fantastic was to help heal in my opinion. I would like to get in touch with whoever to talk.
V/R,
PO2 Dallas Bare, USCG
I was Brian con wells supervisor for three years I’d like to know what angle and what info your basing it off of about Brian because he did not loose and limbs or suffer any major issues until he was hit by a drunk driver. In Oklahoma a couple years ago. And I find it fraud to use that as an angle to promote business…….
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