For Andre Daigle, a retired U.S. Navy veteran and the owner of @Veteran_RAM, building a custom truck was never about collecting trophies.
His RAM began as a personal expression of military pride. As Andre attended more shows, however, he noticed how often the truck brought veterans and their families over to talk. Those conversations gave him an opportunity to share information about veterans’ benefits, listen to their experiences and connect them with resources they may not have known were available.
The show truck soon became something much more important.
Today, Andre is a Veteran Service Officer and the founder of Support American Veterans Effort, better known as SAVE Inc. Its mission is reflected in a phrase Andre carries with him wherever the RAM goes
Support the SAVE Mission
Before we dive into it, you can learn more about Andre, upcoming events, and the work of Support American Veterans Effort at:
And follow the Veteran RAM journey on Instagram: @Veteran_RAM
Still Serving, One Show at a Time.
We spoke with Andre about his Navy service, the difficult transition back to civilian life, the veteran who helped him find a new direction and the truck that now helps him do the same for others.
Meet Andre Daigle
Tell us about your Navy service and where your journey began.
I enlisted in the Navy right out of high school in 1986 at age 18. I proudly served for 20 years before retiring in 2006 as a YN1(AW).
I served aboard the USS Peleliu and USS Ogden, as well as with HSL-33, VFA-113 and several other commands. My service included the Persian Gulf War, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Somalia and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq.
When I retired, I felt completely lost. I no longer had a mission or a clear sense of purpose. It took me 14 months to find steady work. Years later, after going through a divorce and losing my job, I reached another low point.
That was when a fellow veteran reached out and changed my life. He showed me the benefits I had earned through my service but never knew about.
That one conversation gave me hope. I returned to school, earned a social work degree from Stockton University and dedicated my life to helping other veterans. Today, I work as a Veteran Service Officer. Since October 2023, I have helped veterans secure more than $10 million in earned benefits.
A veteran helped save me. Now I try to pay that forward every day.
The Truck That Opened a Door
When did you realize your RAM was becoming more than a custom truck?
The more shows I attended, the more veterans I noticed in the crowd. I began customizing the truck so it would stand out and give me an opportunity to meet them.
Before long, I realized the RAM was opening doors to real conversations about benefits, support and some of the challenges veterans face after leaving the service.
That was when it stopped being just a show truck. It became something much more important.
You often say, “The truck became a beacon.” What does that mean to you?
The truck draws veterans in and gives me a chance to start a conversation. Hopefully, one of those conversations can change someone’s life the same way another veteran changed mine.
I do not chase trophies. My goal is to reach as many veterans as possible.
Every time a veteran walks up to the truck, I have another opportunity to help someone who may be struggling in silence.
The Mission Behind SAVE Inc.
What inspired you to create Support American Veterans Effort?
After seeing how many veterans I could help through conversations at truck shows, I knew I wanted to reach more people. My wife, Kelly, gave me the push I needed, and together we created Support American Veterans Effort, or SAVE Inc.
I was saved by a veteran, so I created SAVE to do the same for others.
Our mission is simple. We connect veterans with resources they have earned, raise awareness about available benefits and remind veterans that they are not alone.
What has the response from the community been like?
The response has been incredible.
We planned our first show in about three months and held it in September 2025. That event raised almost $6,000 for our state veterans’ home. The funds covered a full year of activities, trips and meals for the veterans living there.
We have also organized supply drives, and our 2027 show is already scheduled. The support from the car and truck community has been overwhelming.
What kinds of conversations are taking place at these events?
One conversation that stays with me involved a Vietnam combat veteran who had received a Purple Heart. He had never applied for veterans’ benefits.
He approached me because he saw the truck. After we spoke, he applied and began receiving the compensation, health care and support he had earned decades earlier.
Moments like that remind me exactly why I do this. It may begin with a truck, but what happens after that first conversation can change a person’s life.
Building the Veteran RAM
What inspired the military theme and direction of the build?
I saw many creative builds at shows, especially military-themed trucks. They inspired me to create something that reflected my pride as a veteran while also drawing people in.
I learned as I went. The goal was never only to build something that looked good. I wanted to create something that could make a real difference in another veteran’s life.
How does the truck help you connect with people at shows?
It is a conversation starter.
When I arrive, I open the doors, display the signs and show the custom work, especially the details under the hood. Veterans, family members and friends come over to look, and that is when the meaningful conversations begin.
The truck has helped me connect with people at local shows and national events, including appearances as part of the Custom Offsets Team Stance.
The MGP Caliper Cover Connection
What are some of your favorite details on the RAM?
I believe the small details matter. That is one of the reasons I chose MGP Caliper Covers.
They are made in America, they complement the truck and they add another touch of pride to the build. They help complete the look I was working toward.
What made MGP the right partner for the Veteran RAM and SAVE Inc.?
I first reached out to MGP more than five years ago and explained what the truck represented.
After I started SAVE, MGP contacted me again and became a 2026 sponsor. The company donated a new set of custom caliper covers that I am proud to display on the truck.
It is an honor to partner with a company that supports veterans and understands what this build stands for.
Still Serving, One Show at a Time
What are you most excited about as SAVE Inc. continues to grow?
We have only been operating for a short time, but the momentum is building. We have three large events planned for 2026, and we want each event to reach more veterans and families.
I am excited to continue growing SAVE, welcoming new sponsors and expanding our work throughout the tri-state area.
This is only the beginning.
What would you say to a veteran who is struggling or does not know where to begin?
You are not alone.
There is no stronger bond than one veteran helping another because we have walked many of the same paths. Reach out and start the conversation.
Visit saveveterans.net and send us a message. We will answer the call, just as another veteran once answered mine.
What does “Still Serving, One Show at a Time” mean to you today?
It means that even though I took off the uniform in 2006, I never stopped serving.
Whether I am working as a Veteran Service Officer, leading SAVE or sitting beside my truck at a show, I am still in the fight.
I am still serving, one show at a time.
Share Your Build With MGP
If you would like your vehicle to be considered for a future MGP Car Chronicles Build of the Month feature, we would love to see it.
Submit your build here:
https://www.calipercovers.com/botm-signup/
Andre Daigle’s Veteran RAM Build Specs
Owner: Andre Daigle
Instagram: @Veteran_RAM
Organization: Support American Veterans Effort, SAVE Inc.
Vehicle: 2020 RAM 1500 Classic SLT Crew Cab with Warlock configuration
Build Theme: U.S. military and veteran tribute
Primary Purpose: Veteran outreach, benefits education, fundraising and community engagement
Confirmed Build Highlights
- Custom MGP Caliper Covers with the
Brake Caliper Covers for 2019-2026 RAM 1500 (55006S) Front and Rear Set
https://www.calipercovers.com/product/brake-caliper-covers-for-2019-2026-ram-1500-front-and-rear-set/
- Custom military and veteran-themed presentation
- Detailed custom work throughout the truck
- Custom under-hood display elements
- Veteran outreach and benefits information signage
- Show-ready interior and exterior presentation
- Built for local car and truck shows
- Displayed at national automotive events
- Participant in the Custom Offsets Team Stance
Year: 2020
RAM Model and Trim: RAM 1500 Classic SLT Crew Cab with Warlock configuration
Exterior Color: Navy Blue
Wheel Brand and Size: Custom Offsets Liberty Forged 24 wide lip rims
Tire Brand and Size: Fury Tires Country Hunter R/T 35×13.35 x 24
Suspension: Lifted
Exterior Modifications: Blacked Out Badge, American Flag Badging, Navy Crest Badge. Custom “Thank A Veteran” Amp Research fold out steps, Hornblasters, Boltlock, Gen Y Hitch, American Flag and Glory Pole Hitch Setup, Custom hand-painted American Flag & Eagle tribute mural dedicated to veterans.
Lighting Upgrades: Aftermarket headlights
Interior Modifications: Custom Stereo System
