Philip Busch Donates High-Fidelity Racing Simulator to Help Student Veterans at Indian River State College
Philip Busch Donates High-Fidelity Racing Simulator to Help Student Veterans at Indian River State College
October 20, 2023 Suzanne Seldes
FORT PIERCE, FL— Motivated by the words of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant (ret.) David Bellavia, who spoke in Fort Pierce in October at a charity event, Philip A. Busch, President of Southern Eagle Distributing and the Busch Family Foundation, has purchased a high-fidelity racing simulator for the Indian River State College Veterans Center of Excellence.
Camilo Medina, IRSC Veterans Student Success Coordinator, takes the racing simulator for a "spin."
Busch met SSG Bellavia at the Wild Game Dinner hosted by the Busch Family Foundation. Bellavia, the nation’s only living Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal of Honor recipient, attended the event with Indian River State College President Dr. Timothy Moore. Bellavia recently joined the College to assist with promoting and expanding veteran services.
SSG Bellavia’s message of perseverance struck a chord with Mr. Busch, whose family foundation supports initiatives that address child development, families in need, military veterans care, community agriculture, homeless care, and more.
“I was incredibly moved after hearing David speak and learning of his desire to work with our local college to improve the lives of veterans and military service men and women in our region,” said Philip Busch. “I looked at the racing simulator we brought in for the event, turned to College President Timothy Moore, and said we are buying this to support the veterans who study at Indian River State College.”
Racing simulators, such as this one manufactured by Full Send Sims of Ft. Lauderdale, can assist veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“As a military veteran, I know firsthand that the transition from the service to civilian life comes with a unique set of challenges,” shares Dr. Timothy Moore, President of Indian River State College. “We are grateful to Philip Busch and the Busch family for supporting veteran success at Indian River State College with this generous and thoughtful gift.”
To learn more about Indian River State College Military and Veteran Services, schedule a visit or see a racing simulator demonstration, contact Cam Medina at cmedina@irsc.edu.
