Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Erica Jaros | Dale Earnhardt Jr's number 88 National Guard NASCAR vehicle shoots out of pit lane at...... read more read more
DARLINGTON, S.C. – The South Carolina National Guard was everywhere race fans looked at Darlington Raceway during the Bojangles Southern 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race May 11. The Guard had everything, from a rock band for spectators to enjoy before the race to the official color guard.
The SCNG’s 246th Army Band’s rock band element, ‘Moment’s Notice’, got crowds hyped up and kept them entertained outside the raceway during pre-race festivities. The band was part of the National Guard trackside display with a mock-up car, driver simulation and physical training challenge.
On the infield, National Guard Bureau sponsored a hospitality area for the band, the color guard and about 20 members of the SCNG’s 133rd Military Police Company from Timmonsville, S.C. to eat, relax and watch the race. They also had a visit from the number 88 National Guard car driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. He answered questions from the soldiers and talked about the history of Darlington Raceway.
After the meet and greet, it was time for the soldiers and airmen to get ready to represent the SCNG in the pre-race ceremony.
The fans cheered wildly as the Soldiers of the 133rd MP Co., who returned in September 2012 from Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, were introduced on stage and lined the walkway for the drivers’ entrance to the track. The Soldiers waved to fans and shook hands in their moment of fame.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them,” said 1st Sgt. Mike Montrose, first sergeant for the 133rd MP Co. “It means a lot, considering where we were last year.”
Following driver introductions, the joint color guard took the stage and S.C. Army National Guard Chaplain, Capt. John Denny, gave an inspiring invocation.
The color guard was a joint function for the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard. This was the first time that Darlington had both branches of the Guard represented in the color guard for the pre-race ceremony, even though the Army and Air Guard have different color guard procedures.
“It’s very important for the South Carolina National Guard to be represented as a whole,” said Tech Sgt. Rachel Hill, the assistant non-commissioned officer in charge of the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing’s Base Honor Guard team. “This shows our cohesion as a guard family.”
“We worked together and mixed a little Air Force with a little Army so that it wasn’t one or the other,” said Army Officer Candidate Christopher Freshman, a senior candidate from the 218th Leadership Regiment, South Carolina National Guard. “I’m honored to present the colors at an event like this.”
Members of the SCNG had an exhilarating day interacting with fans and promoting everything that Guard soldiers are capable of. For his part, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the 88 car finished ninth overall.
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2013 09:15 |
| Story ID: | 106879 |
| Location: | DARLINGTON, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 649 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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