On Armed Forces Day, May 17, the veteran community in Harnett County will gather for a special cause at Static Line Brewing Company, a veteran-owned and operated craft brewery located at 1671 Buffalo Lake Road, Sanford. The event—an Overland-Themed Car Show Fundraiser—is a collaboration between Static Line and Mind Over Land, a North Carolina-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting veterans with the outdoors through vehicle-based adventures.
The fundraiser, which runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., will showcase a wide range of off-road vehicles: Jeeps, Toyotas, overland rigs, and trucks—each a testament to freedom, grit, and individuality. Participants can register their vehicles for a $10 entry fee, while attendees can vote for their favorite rig for just $2 per ticket. In addition to the car show, there will be a raffle featuring an overland fridge generously donated by a supporting company from Asheville, with all proceeds going directly to support veteran outdoor excursions.
“We wanted to hold this event on Armed Forces Day as a way to honor those who serve, have served, and continue to serve,” said retired Chief Petty Officer Chad Bruner, one of the co-founders of Mind Over Land. “Everything we raise goes back into our mission. We’re 100% donation-funded, and we don’t charge veterans to participate in our events.”
Mind Over Land is led by three retired military leaders: Chief Warrant Officer 4 Seth Smith, Chief Master Sgt. Jonathan Shores and Bruner. Each brings years of service experience and a shared passion for healing through nature and camaraderie. Their nonprofit was born from a desire to streamline services and focus on one core mission—connecting veterans with each other and the outdoors.
“An earlier group tried to do too many things for too many people,” Bruner explained, referring to a previous initiative called True Patriot Inc. “We decided we were going to do one thing really well—facilitating overland-style vehicle adventures where veterans can disconnect from daily stress and reconnect with nature, purpose, and each other.”
Mind Over Land’s programs are immersive and comprehensive. Veterans are not asked to pay out of pocket. The organization provides everything: transportation, food, fuel, gear, and campground fees. They even waive the $50 registration hold fee if a veteran is experiencing hardship.
“We had to turn away over 100 veterans last year,” Bruner said. “Not because we didn’t want them, but because we didn’t have the funding to make the trips possible. That’s why fundraisers like this one with Static Line are so important.”
Static Line Brewing Company, owned by Steven Khoo, a veteran himself, serves more than just award-winning craft beer—it provides a gathering place for veterans and civilians alike to share stories, support one another, and foster community. Khoo, whose brewery website is www.staticlinebeer.com, has long been a supporter of local veteran initiatives.
“The veteran community is very self-supportive,” Bruner said. “We all understand each other. Businesses like Static Line get what we’re trying to do, and they step up. Steven Khoo offered us his parking lot and brewery space for this event because he understands the mission—it’s about more than beer. It’s about belonging.”
This Armed Forces Day event isn’t just a one-off; Mind Over Land hopes it marks the beginning of a new tradition.
“If we get enough support this year, we’d love to make this an annual event,” Bruner said. “And maybe even expand to different areas.”
Looking ahead, Mind Over Land has set an ambitious but inspiring goal: to impact 10,000 veterans in 10 years. With increasing demand for their services and a proven model of healing through outdoor connection, they’re confident, but they need the public’s support to get there.
“Our biggest limitation is funding,” Bruner stated plainly. “We’re not asking for a handout. We’re asking people to partner with us in making a real difference. Come out to the event, register your vehicle, vote, buy a raffle ticket, or just enjoy a cold beer. Every action helps a veteran.”
The Overland-Themed Car Show Fundraiser is more than a display of rugged vehicles—it’s a symbol of resilience, camaraderie, and the road to healing. With beer in hand, engines humming, and veterans at the center, May 17 promises to be a meaningful day for all who attend.
For more information about the event or how to get involved, visit www.staticlinebeer.com or follow Mind Over Land on social media.

(Photos courtesy of Mind Over Land's Facebook page)