Hundreds of Soldiers recently returned from Iraq stand at attention as 250,000 Texas NASCAR fans applaud their service and sacrifice during prerace festivities at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday.
Posted on 04/19/2005 1:17:55 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
Hundreds of Soldiers recently returned from Iraq stand at attention as 250,000 Texas NASCAR fans applaud their service and sacrifice during prerace festivities at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday.
TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, Texas (Army News Service, April 19, 2005) – Many words are used to describe Texas and Texans. ‘Little’ ain’t one of them.
On Sunday, 250,000 Texas NASCAR fans formally welcomed home several hundred Fort Hood Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans during pre-race ceremonies here at the Samsung / Radio Shack 500.
The crowd at the sold-out event stood and cheered as the Soldiers marched down the speedway’s front stretch single file from both turns four and one. Stopping near the finish line, the troops formed a rank that stretched for almost 2,500 feet and stood at attention as the fans applauded them for their heroic service.
Among the dozens of VIPs joining the fans in a salute to the troops were Texas Governor Rick Perry and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage.
“Proud members of the United States Armed Forces: on behalf of 22 million Texans, I say thank you for your service to this nation... and welcome home,” said Perry during his remarks to the Soldiers and NASCAR fans.
“This nation will never forget those who have answered freedom’s call in Iraq’” Perry continued. “We will never forget your sacrifices, we will never forget your bravery, and we will always remember those who paid the highest price for the cause of freedom.
We are proud of your service, proud to be called your countrymen, and we will be thankful every day that the flag of freedom flies over this great land.”
“It was the highest honor that fans at the Texas Motor Speedway got to participate in this ceremony,” said Gossage. “This was a special moment for our crowd to welcome these great Americans back to the United States and show thanks for their courage.”
Approximately 500 Soldiers from six Fort Hood III Corps units took part in the event. The Soldiers were from the 1st Cavalry Division, 13th Corps Support Command, Third Signal Brigade, 504th Military Brigade, 89th Military Police Brigade and Headquarters, Headquarters Company, III Corps.
Soldiers from the Army Reserve and Texas Army National Guard, based out of Fort Worth, Texas, marched with their III Corps counterparts.
The Soldiers were led by III Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz and his command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey.
Also participating were four AH-64 Apache gunships that conducted a flyover during the 30-minute prerace salute.
Adding an appropriate ceremonial touch was the 4th Infantry Division Band and Color Guard. The band played a concert of military songs and marches for race fans prior to the welcome home ceremony.
Following the emotional event, the Soldiers and their families were escorted to a specially constructed grandstand in turn three. From that exclusive position, they watched the action-filled 500-mile race as they munched on food and drink, all provided free of charge courtesy of the speedway.
Ping. . .
Damn computer screen got blurry again.
This thread needs pingage, if one of you'd be so kind.
I hate it when it does that
</ sniff>
bttt
I think it gets to me because I'm proud of my country, that we have come so far from the dark days of spitting at vets.
At the very end of the national anthem, a B52 flew over. The whole thing made me very proud to be an American who supports his country.
I’d like to see something similar happen in San Francisco or New York City.
Done! Thanks!
NASCAR Ping List Activation .. re: Sunday's race and track tribute to US Troops from Ft. Hood that have returned from Iraq and elsewhere.
PING LIst has been activated.. Thanks!
Thanks! :-)
Good time-on-target calculations to do that!
Ping...
OIF vets - Texas NASCAR
welcomed Fort Hood soldiers
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!
It was great to see a sea of soldiers at Sundays race! I think every track should give away tix.
The local track I used to go to when I was in gave all active duty military half price tickets, you just had to ask.
For those who do not follow the race threads, one of our number (ChefKeith) related his opportunity to do a good thing for a returning troop in a checkout lane.
Here's hoping each track will try to out-do the previous on the salute to the military.
Don't know if that works for the Big Show. But, what we might be able to do is see about our local tracks, minor league baseball, etc.
Great article. Thanks for the ping. NASCAR and the majority of its fans always show big support for America, its military, and what it means to each of us. It always makes me proud to see the military tributes when I attend races, and when it's on TV.
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