Courtesy Photo | The Soldiers from "8 Soldiers, 8 Missions" stand with Dale Earnhardt Jr. after the...... read more read more
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As most NASCAR paint schemes are used as advertising platforms, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s partnership with the National Guard gives him a unique opportunity to dedicate his paint scheme for NASCAR’s July 3 race to eight National Guard soldiers and eight missions in which they served.
The “8 Soldiers, 8 missions” paint scheme was unveiled by Earnhardt and the eight soldiers June 30 at an event in Daytona Beach that honored their sacrifice and selfless service for others, by serving in domestic and oversea missions for their country.
“We take a lot of pride representing these eight soldiers and the entire (National) Guard, and their sacrifices,” Earnhardt said.
Earnhardt entrusted the design of the paint scheme to a friend and said he was clueless as to what it would look like until it was unveiled.
“It is a good looking car. I was excited,” Earnhardt said. “It was great to have eight soldiers here and listen to their eight missions. It gave me a lot of pride that I have for the Guard.”
Staff Sgt. Justin Lampert, with the North Dakota Army National Guard’s 818th Engineer Company, is among the eight Soldiers featured on the car, which will run at the Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway. The other seven soldiers are: Spc. Tabitha Foster from the 201st Engineer Battalion, Kentucky Army National Guard; Spc. Joseph Ruiz from Headquarters and Headquarters Company Scouts Infantry, New York Army National Guard; Spc. Richard Ghent from the 1-172 Armor, New Hampshire Army National Guard; Staff Sgt. Daniel Caldwell from Charlie Company, 1-167th Infantry, Alabama Army National Guard; Staff Sgt. Ryan Brubaker from B Company, 1-163rd Combined Arms Battalion, Montana Army National Guard; Sgt. 1st Class Chris Dempsey from the Recruiting and Retention Command, Arizona Army National Guard; and 1st Lt. Reed Preece Troop C, 2-104 Cavalry, Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Lampert, a Crosby, N.D., native, tackled a gunman who had fired shots with a 9 mm pistol at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on July 6, 2007. Lampert received the Soldier’s Medal for his lifesaving actions, and had previously been awarded a Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for valor for his service in Iraq. He deployed with the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion from 2003-05 and was part of the Trailblazer mission — patrolling roadways for improvised explosive devices and other hazards.
“Last night was awesome,” Lampert said. “We met Dale Earnhardt Jr. and had a lot of support from the Guard and the NASCAR associates. Everything was just great. And just meeting the seven other guys was fantastic. I’m not saying I deserved this, but there’s definitely a good reason why they’re all here.”
One of those seven, Brubaker, was the National Guard Soldier of the Year. He said he felt honored to be one of the select few.
“It is a humbling experience to be here,” Brubaker said. “They have all of these unique stories. It feels great to be showed case.”
He gives credit to his success to more than just his personal desire.
“The family support I have with my wife Heidi has been a great influence. She has been very supportive,” Brubaker said. “I had a lot of help from my unit and peers along the way. I was happy to be able to give my unit recognition, since they are the reason I am here.”
Foster, who treated casualties under enemy fire and went on 100 missions while in Afghanistan, is counting down until race day.
“I am really excited to be here,” Foster said. “It is my first race.”
As Earnhardt gets to know the Soldiers and the National Guard, he said he gets more comfortable, making it a better relationship.
“It is really emotional, and I feed off of that emotion,” Earnhardt said. “It is in the back of my mind throughout the event.”
Earnhardt said that he enjoys events like these because it allows people to recognize the reality of the sacrifice by National Guardsmen.
“We appreciate what they do for us,” Earnhardt said. “We are really fortunate.”
| Date Taken: | 07.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2010 17:26 |
| Story ID: | 52262 |
| Location: | DAYTONA BEACH, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 387 |
| Downloads: | 287 |
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