Friday morning started as normal for retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, as he and his family visited his son’s local coffee shop in Long Beach. But later, he received a “helpful” surprise — one that left him speechless.
Montiel was handed the keys to his new, payment-free 2026 Honda CR-V on Friday, Oct. 23. The South El Monte resident was honored for his military service and continued commitment to helping others by being surprised with the new car by SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo, in collaboration with the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program.
From left, Honda Spokesperson Tami Horetski hands Victor Montiel keys to a new 2026 Honda CR-V in Long Beach on Friday, October 23, 2026. The SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program gifted the car to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, a Purple Heart recipient and longtime community volunteer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Victor Montiel thanks everyone after receiving a payment-free 2026 Honda CR-V in Long Beach on Friday, October 23, 2026. The SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program gifted the car to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, a Purple Heart recipient and longtime community volunteer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Victor Montiel receives a payment-free 2026 Honda CR-V at the SALA Coffee and Wine Bar in Long Beach on Friday, October 23, 2026. The SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program gifted the car to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, a Purple Heart recipient and longtime community volunteer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Victor Montiel receives a payment-free 2026 Honda CR-V at the SALA Coffee and Wine Bar in Long Beach on Friday, October 23, 2026. The SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program gifted the car to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, a Purple Heart recipient and longtime community volunteer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Honda Spokesperson Tami Horetski shows Victor Montiel around his new 2026 Honda CR-V in Long Beach on Friday, October 23, 2026. The SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program gifted the car to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, a Purple Heart recipient and longtime community volunteer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, Honda Spokesperson Tami Horetski shows Victor Montiel around his new 2026 Honda CR-V in Long Beach on Friday, October 23, 2026. The SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program gifted the car to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, a Purple Heart recipient and longtime community volunteer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Victor Montiel poses for a photograph with (from left) his mother Herlinda Montiel, his son Victor Montiel Jr. and his cousin Mario Martinez after receiving a new 2026 Honda CR-V in Long Beach on Friday, October 23, 2026. The SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program gifted the car to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, a Purple Heart recipient and longtime community volunteer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Victor Montiel receives a payment-free 2026 Honda CR-V at the SALA Coffee and Wine Bar in Long Beach on Friday, October 23, 2026. The SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program gifted the car to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, a Purple Heart recipient and longtime community volunteer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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From left, Honda Spokesperson Tami Horetski hands Victor Montiel keys to a new 2026 Honda CR-V in Long Beach on Friday, October 23, 2026. The SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers and Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program gifted the car to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Montiel, a Purple Heart recipient and longtime community volunteer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The three institutions set up the car in the parking lot behind SALA Coffee and Wine Bar, 3853 Atlantic Ave., in Long Beach, and were joined by representatives from Mayor Rex Richardson’s and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal’s offices to surprise Montiel.
“As veterans, we normally give and we always like to see that feeling of when someone else is helped, and then to be now on the other side of it – I can see how people get overwhelmed,” Montiel said in an interview, “and I think that’s the best feeling when you give something without expecting anything in return. I’m kind of speechless.”
Montiel joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1994 and served 10 years, including overseas in Iraq. During his deployment, he was wounded in combat and was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon and other military honors for his service.
The veteran’s dedication to service extends beyond his military career, organizers said. He supports fellow veterans as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard and his city’s Patriotic Commission, mentors at-risk youth through the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, and coaches local sports teams. A devoted father of four, Montiel is also raising his family while caring for his mother, who lives with him, organizers said.
Through the Military Warriors Support Foundation – a nonprofit providing programs that facilitate a smooth and successful transition for combat-wounded military heroes, Gold Star spouses and their families – in collaboration with the SoCal Honda Dealers Association and Wells Fargo, Montiel will now have reliable transportation to help meet his family’s daily needs. The gift also recognizes his enduring commitment to service, family and community, organizers said.
“As the bank of doing, Wells Fargo is committed to supporting the financial and transportation needs of military service members, veterans and their families,” said Mike Meganck, executive director of the West Market at Wells Fargo. “We are proud to sponsor the donation of a new vehicle to Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program – a program dedicated to supporting military service members as they transition back to civilian life and providing brand-new, payment-free vehicles to combat wounded veterans and Gold Star families.”