BOWLING GREEN, Ohio —
Each Veterans Day, restaurants and organizations offer deals to veterans.
In Bowling Green though, there is a unique – and permanent – way to benefit veterans.
For nearly a decade, BroadWing has been offering $150, one-hour tattoo sessions to benefit Veterans Affairs.
It's all in honor of the owner, Tyler Brott's, father.
"My dad was one of the funniest people I've ever known," Renee Brott, Tyler's sister said. "He always had a smile on his face."
Their dad, David, served in the Vietnam War for two years.
Like many Vietnam veterans, he came home to a not-so-warm welcome.
"They didn't get a welcome home. They got spit on. They got yelled at," Renee shared.
Nearly 50 years after that war ended, the Brotts are working to give veterans the "welcome home" many didn't receive.
"Today is 'Tattoos and Welcome Homes,'" Renee said.
All of the proceeds of the day-long tattoo marathon go toward the Ann Arbor VA, where Renee and Tyler's dad was treated after fighting cancer caused by a devastating herbicide used during the war, known as Agent Orange.
"He was actually one of the first people to be dropped into the jungles to kind of do surveillance and set up demolition, so that's why he was exposed to so much Agent Orange," Renee explained.
Over the past nine years, BroadWing has raised more than $50,000 for the cause.
The event also has a special meaning for many of the clients who come in.
Olivia Crone stopped by the parlor on Monday in honor of her dad, a 25-year veteran.
"His name is Jake. He was a chief officer in the Marines," she said. "I've never met somebody as intelligent as him."
Renee said the tradition is the least she and her brother can do to honor their dad.
"I don't think there's any way to pay them back," she said. "He'd be impressed. He'd really like being the center of attention, in a really, really humble way."