Military Fallen Heroes Recognized With Special Flag at Charlotte Motor Speedway
For Immediate Release – May 2014
Chesapeake, Virginia – While memorial services with wreaths and speeches are typical elements of the Memorial Day weekend, the day designated to honor fallen military members seems to be lost in the noise of many other pursuits. For the families who have endured the loss of a loved one to preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, the weekend can be a hollow observance that seems to be more about cooking hot dogs than commemorating heroes.
Recognizing the importance of calling attention to the celebration of lives lost and to showing appreciation to the families with a positive message of thanks, a unique alliance is bringing the national spotlight to all of our nation’s military fallen and their families. NASCAR together with Honor and Remember, Inc. will create a powerful reminder of the high price of freedom by displaying specially prepared Honor and Remember flags representing each of our fifty states throughout the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage.
“We have the most patriotic fans in sports and it is a privilege to have this unique opportunity to send an important message across the country: We will always be grateful for those who stand up for us and our freedom and will never forget those fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Mike Helton, President of NASCAR.
Honor and Remember Founder George Lutz said, “Never before have we had such a significant platform to bring this national statement of thanks to all of our Gold Star families who have given everything. NASCAR is creating a means to reach millions with this important message.”
The state-specific Honor and Remember flags will be displayed at various locations around Charlotte Motor Speedway, including pit boxes and haulers. Each flag will have a specific personalization, such as “North Carolina Military Fallen Heroes,” as a call to remember generations of fallen heroes and their families in that state.
The special Honor and Remember flag display is part of NASCAR An American Salute, an annual industry-wide effort to collectively thank our nation’s military and their families for their service and sacrifice. Honor and Remember partners with NASCAR year-round to host and recognize Gold Star families at races throughout the country.