Military escorts NASCAR champions at Jamboree

Photo By Master Sgt. Andrew Lee | U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Nolan II, Joint Task Force-National Scout Jamboree commander, points toward NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon's vehicle, July 29. Gordon and fellow driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. arrived at the Boy Scouts of America's 2010 National Scout Jamboree to visit Scouts and staff members.  

FORT A.P. HILL, VA, UNITED STATES

07.29.2010

Story by Airman 1st Class Joe Mcfadden 

Joint Task Force - National Scout Jamboree

FORT A.P. HILL, Va. — U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Bruce and U.S. Army Specialist Trevor Edwards’ time at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree here had gone much differently than their time at their home stations.

Now these servicemembers are working as drivers in the visitor bureau for the Joint Task Force-National Scout Jamboree July 26 thru Aug. 4. They are responsible for driving senior military staff, government officials, celebrities and other distinguished visitors throughout the campgrounds.

Normally, Edwards is a power generator specialist with the 155th Inland Cargo Transport Company at Fort Eustis, Va., and serves with the North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Delivering passengers from one destination to the next can become commonplace, however, the irony of shuttling professional race car drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon was not lost on them.
Both their passengers know the importance of speed and being on-time. As NASCAR drivers, they understand how even a single second can make the difference between instant victory and unforgiving obscurity.

And even when they take time to make appearances before crowds across the country on behalf of the U.S. National Guard, they are still moving from venue-to-venue like a pit crew’s swiftness during a final lap.

So when faced with driving both Earnhardt and Gordon to the southern region stage to speak before hundreds of Boy Scouts July 29, both the Marine and Soldier drivers said they knew they had to be up to the task.

“It’s exciting,” Edwards said. “My friends definitely wish they were in my spot.”

After arriving at the air field in a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter, Earnhardt and Gordon each got in Bruce and Edwards’ suburban vehicles. The drivers said the drive to the stage became an opportune time to banter with their guests.

“I’ve seen probably 14 NASCAR races in my time,” Bruce said. “I’ve never got to meet either one of the drivers until today. They’re like average folks, and talked a lot about the kids here and everything that’s been going on.”

The conversations paused after the drivers dropped off their guests at the stage as they were greeted by hundreds of screaming fans and scouts alike. While Mr. Earnhardt and Mr. Gordon participated in their Q&A sessions and racing competitions with the scouts, Bruce and Edwards kept the cars waiting and even got time to see the show, too.

Once complete wrapping-up a few radio interviews, posing for pictures and autographing shirts, Mr. Earnhardt and Mr. Gordon got back in their cars to be taken back to the airfield. With the Blackhawks prepared to take-off in the background, both NASCAR drivers thanked the service members who safely and swiftly took them to their gig.

“He did all right,” Mr. Earnhardt said about Specialist Edwards’ driving.

As they headed back to their headquarters and waited for the next scheduled event, both Bruce and Edwards said they felt simply serving as drivers with the joint task force became the best part of their assignment.

“This is an awesome job and it’s a great thing to be here,” Edwards said. “I think I’ll say that a million times before we get out of here.”

“This was all right, but the people I’m working with are the most enjoyable thing here for me,” Bruce said. “As Non-Commissioned Officer in charge, to have 10 soldiers to mold, mentor and do what senior leaders do is the biggest reward for me.”

• Date Taken: 07.29.2010
• Date Posted: 08.02.2010 09:02
• Story ID: 53814
• Location: FORT A.P. HILL, VA, US