VFW Returns to Michigan International Speedway to Sponsor VFW 200 Truck Race
Partnership provides national platform to raise awareness about veterans’ issues
February 24, 2012
BROOKLYN,
MICH. (February 24, 2012) – The Veterans
of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and Michigan International Speedway
(MIS) are proud to announce the continuation of the VFW 200 NASCAR Camping
World Truck Series race at MIS on Saturday, August 18.
The 2012
season marks the VFW’s fourth year as a partner at MIS, including three years
as the title sponsor of the VFW 200.
Founded
in 1899, the VFW is America’s largest major combat veterans’ organization. The VFW offers several assistance programs to
lessen the burden on active-duty military, veterans and their families; offers
counsel and assistance to military veterans to navigate VA entitlement and
disability claims; and actively lobbies Congress and the administration on
issues that impact the lives’ of our nation’s veterans.
The
title sponsorship of the race at MIS allows the VFW a national platform to
recognize and salute veterans and their families around the country.
‘It’s a
pleasure to have the opportunity to once again partner with MIS in this most
important event,” said VFW National Commander Richard DeNoyer. “Not only is the intent of the event to
bolster the morale of our troops, but at a time when demand to meet the urgent
needs of U.S. military service personnel and their families becomes more difficult,
it allows us to get the word out about our various programs and services. These include free communication options for
troops overseas so they can call home on a regular basis and financial
assistance to their families for rent, mortgage, utilities, vehicle repair,
food and medicine.”
“We’re
pleased to continue our partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars,”
Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis said. “No has done more
for veterans and their families than the VFW, and many veterans are NASCAR
fans. So this is a perfect partnership because we work together to bring
exposure to the needs of some of our best Americans through the power of
NASCAR.”
In
addition to the VFW 200 race, the VFW will honor local military families though
the “Salute to Military Families” hospitality event on Sunday, August 19, for
the Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Guests will enjoy complimentary pre-race
hospitality, pit tours, special access to drivers and pre-race ceremonies and
grandstand tickets to the Pure Michigan 400.
The VFW has hosted the “Salute to Military
Families” program at MIS since 2009, designed to bring awareness to the unique
problems and needs of troops and their families. Through its “Unmet Needs” initiative, the VFW
has provided more than $4.3 million in
direct financial assistance to military families for rent, mortgage, utilities,
vehicle repair, medical expenses and basic food assistance.
Other VFW programs include “Operation Uplink’s
Free Call Days,” which facilitated approximately 1.5 million free long-distance calls overseas for troops in 2011; morale boosting
“welcome home” and “sendoff” events for military units; and direct, free
assistance to veterans obtaining VA entitlements from the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
About Michigan International
Speedway:
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills
of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape,
a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very
best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a
great time for race fans and drivers alike.
Media
Contacts:
Veterans of Foreign Wars – Jerry Newberry,
816-968-1168, jnewberry@vfw.org
HMS Worldwide – Amy Umlor,
704-892-9808, amy@hmsworldwide.com
Michigan International
Speedway – Sammie Lukaskiewicz, 517-592-1208, slukaskiewicz@MISpeedway.com
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