The 59th Annual CMA Awards delivered plenty of sparkling performances — but nothing came close to the emotional moment that left the arena in tears.
In front of a packed audience at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and millions watching at home, Chevrolet surprised retired U.S. Army Sgt. Nick Koulchar — a double above-the-knee amputee — with a fully wheelchair-accessible 2025 BraunAbility Chevrolet Traverse.
The moment, introduced by rising country star Ella Langley, instantly became the night’s most powerful standing ovation.
A Hero’s Story
Sgt. Koulchar, from Hartland, Michigan, served as a combat engineer and gunner with the U.S. Army’s Alpha Company 40th Engineers. His life changed forever when his vehicle was hit by an IED, costing him both legs.
But Koulchar refused to be defined by loss.
Since his recovery, he has:
Completed over 40 marathons
Become a competitive handcyclist
Continued hunting, weight training, and inspiring others with his resilience
He now lives in Michigan with his wife and three children.
“People see missing legs as a disadvantage,” he said. “I see them as a superpower.”
A Life-Changing Gift
The Traverse he received is not just a vehicle — it is independence on wheels.
Features include:
Integrated in-floor ramp
Vehicle “kneeling” system for easy entry
Full mobility engineering allowing drivers to operate independently
The SUV is built at GM’s Lansing Delta Township Plant, with accessibility modifications completed by BraunAbility in Indiana.
The moment was especially moving with 100 active-duty soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division in attendance, watching one of their own honored for service and sacrifice.
Why Ella Langley Led the Moment
While her career is rising fast, Ella Langley didn’t just introduce the giveaway — she humanized it.
Her words reflected that supporting veterans isn’t about hashtags or lip service.
It’s about action, dignity, and giving people the tools to live fully again.
Even Lainey Wilson, hosting “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” paused the awards flow so that the spotlight could shift, just for a moment, from stardom to service
More Than a Giveaway — A Message
Chevrolet and BraunAbility plan to expand production of accessible Traverses next year, making vehicles like Koulchar’s available to thousands who need them.
Price details will come later, but to the millions watching, one thing was clear:
On a night designed to celebrate music, the loudest note was gratitude.
And the biggest star may have been a soldier whose courage — on and off the battlefield — inspired a nation to its feet.