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by Autumn Foltz
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Air Force veteran Antonio Yancy of North Little Rock served his country for four years, right out of high school.
Now, his service and perseverance are being recognized through the "Keys to Progress" program, honoring veterans nationwide.
"I'm getting blessed with a car today," said Antonio Yancy, vehicle winner and Air Force veteran.
For 26-year-old Yancy, this moment still feels surreal.
Yancy served as an aerial porter, an air transportation specialist, in the U.S. Air Force from 2016 to 2020; a role he said taught him discipline and purpose.
I asked him, "What things from that experience do you use to guide you still today?" And he responded with, "The discipline."
After leaving the military, Yancy’s life took an unexpected turn. While transitioning to civilian life during the COVID-19 pandemic, he faced hardships that left him without a home or a car.
"My family and friends really stuck through it with me, and I made it out. 'How did not having a car impact you?' In ways you couldn't imagine, but I'm pretty sure you can imagine some of the things. Just unfortunate," said Yancy.
But today, that struggle is giving way to something new. Yancy was selected as Arkansas’s 2025 "Keys to Progress" recipient, part of a national effort to support veterans in need of transportation, winning a 2023 Nissan Altima.
"This is my favorite day to work. The "Keys to Progress" program began in 2013, and it's a way for us to honor our veterans and provide reliable transportation," said Mark Sexson, Progressive Insurance claims supervisor.
During the ceremony, Sexson shared part of Yancy’s application; words that showed what this moment truly meant.
"As a 26-year-old air force veteran who was homeless just two months ago, having a vehicle would be nothing short of life-changing. Beyond practical needs, he writes, a vehicle would store a sense of normalcy and dignity, something I lost during my time without a home," said Sexson, reading Yancy's application.
For Antonio Yancy, a set of keys represents a new beginning and a reminder that having faith and not giving up can lead to better days.
Yancy said he hopes his story inspires other veterans to keep pushing forward, even when times are hard.
2025 Sinclair, Inc.
