Courtesy Photo | Ohio Army National Guard Sgt. Kevin Scarpino signs autographs for Indy Racing League...... read more read more
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By Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Ballog
Ohio Army National Guard
LEXINGTON, Ohio - When the Indy Racing League sped into Lexington's Mid-Ohio Raceway July 17, 2008, members of National Guard-sponsored Panther Racing and No. 4 IndyCar driver Vitor Meira scheduled a pit stop to honor hero Sgt. Kevin Scarpino, a member of the Ohio Army National Guard's Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Scarpino, a resident of Port Clinton and a Guardmember since 2003, was nominated for the honor by Fort Ohio Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Grys, based on his performance while deployed with Company B, 612th Engineer Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, from November 2004 to December 2005.
"As a gunner assigned to a route clearance platoon, then-Spc. Scarpino's quick action during small-arms fire and improvised explosive device engagements was highly commendable," Grys said. "His ability to think quickly and give sound, relevant guidance undoubtedly saved time and the lives of other task force members. Even more impressive was the fact that Sgt. Scarpino was only one month out of boot camp when he deployed."
"To race fans, our drivers are heroes, but to the Panther Racing team, Soldiers are really the true heroes," Panther Racing co-owner John Barnes said during the ceremony. "That's why [we] like to select a Soldier from each state to honor."
In addition to honoring Scarpino at the ceremony, the 612th Engineer Battalion's unit patch was featured on the No. 4 car during the race, and Scarpino signed autographs with Meira during Friday's fan session.
Co-owner Mike Griffin echoed Barnes' commitment to honoring Soldiers by treating more than 30 Recruit Sustainment Battalion Soldiers and Recruiting and Retention personnel to a ride in a two-seat Indy car. Driver Meira personally gave each Soldier a true open-wheel racing experience with two laps around the Mid-Ohio track.
"We are thrilled to be sponsored by the National Guard, and it's been a great experience, but more importantly, the Panther team is privileged to be able to give back to our Soldiers who sacrifice so much for us all," said Griffin, who spent time in between rides talking to and thanking the Soldiers for their service.
"It's been a great thing for me, getting to know the Soldiers and spending time with them," Meira said. "The experience has made me a better person and more understanding of what Soldiers go through and what they stand for.
"I've spent time visiting with many Soldiers-often in medical facilities-and what amazed me was that, even with severe injuries, they want nothing more than to get back to serving their country," Meira added. "It made me realize how being bothered by everyday problems can be foolish in light of what they go through every day just to serve all of us. It's an honor for me and for the Panther Racing team to represent an organization with such great values and one whose members give so much back to all of us."
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2008 12:21 |
| Story ID: | 24679 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 138 |
| Downloads: | 104 |
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