For the fifth consecutive year, Daytona International Speedway will honor four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients during the 55thannual Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola on July 4-6.
The Medal of Honor recipients, all from the Vietnam War, are:
· Walter J. (Joe) Marm, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army
· Gary Littrell, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army
· Robert Patterson, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
· Bruce Crandall, Major, U.S. Army
While it’s the fifth straight year that Daytona International Speedway has honored Medal of Honor recipients during the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola, the program was actually first started back in the 1970s by the Bill France Sr.
“In front of the stars of NASCAR and thousands of race fans in attendance, we’re privileged to host and pay tribute to these four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “These four individuals have earned our nation’s highest military honor and we look forward to recognizing their brave and courageous actions during the Independence Day holiday weekend.”
All four Medal of Honor recipients will be recognized during a special luncheon on Friday at the Bill France Room, will attend driver’s meetings and participate in pre-race ceremonies for both the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday night, July 5 and the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday night, July 6.
During Saturday’s 55th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola, a special salute will take place for the four Medal of Honor recipients during pre-race ceremonies.
In addition, the four Medal of Honor recipients will take part in an autograph session with race fans in the Sprint FANZONE on Saturday prior to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola.
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It’s bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.
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