Twitter
Facebook
For the fourth consecutive year, members of the National Hot Rod Association have taken part in a post-season United Service Organizations-sponsored goodwill trip to visit KMC personnel and their families.
Six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson, two-time NHRA Pro Stock
champion Jim Yates, 2006 POWERade Pro Stock champ Jason Line and Top Fuel driving ace Cory McClenathan were the top performance drivers who took part in the overseas tour in late November.
The drivers stopped in Kuwait before flying to Germany. Although Mr. Johnson was the first professional driver in the history of NHRA to compete in 500 races, it has not stopped him from showing his gratitude to servicemembers by participating in his fourth USO trip.
“It’s an honor for me to be able to do this,” Mr. Johnson said. “We owe so much to those that serve in the military, and this is just a small way for me to say thank you for all that they do for each and every one of us.”
Jim Yates was part of the NHRA contingent that visited servicemembers in Germany in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and couldn’t wait to come back this year.
“We get so much out of this trip,” Mr. Yates said. “It’s the highlight of my year, visiting the troops and thanking them for all the wonderful things they’ve done for us. Without their heroic efforts we wouldn’t have the freedom we have today.”
Another USO regular, Cory McClenathan, made his fourth appearance in the KMC and was ready to be the ambassador for the racing community and share his thanks.
“It’s an opportunity for us to let the troops know how much we appreciate what they’re doing,” Mr. McClenathan said. “I speak for the whole racing community when I say we’re very lucky to do what we do for a living and thank you, the fighting men and women, for protecting our peace.”
A new face to the USO, Jason Line, a former Airman, said he was fortunate and grateful to be able to attend the trip and meet with servicemembers.
“I’m a former Airman so I can relate to some of the things the troops are doing,” Mr. Line said. “If we can brighten somebody’s day while we’re here, and let them know we’re thinking about them, then it’s a mission accomplished.”
The NHRA drivers also met with wounded warriors at the Ramstein Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Also, the group set up stands in front of the Ramstein and Vogelweh Base Exchanges to meet and sign autographs for servicemembers and their families.
The USO provided air transportation for the group’s trip to Kuwait and Germany, and General Motors Racing shipped 1,500 souvenir gift bags to the two destinations for distribution during the visits, said Jeff Romack, Pontiac/Chevy Trackside Communications and NHRA Drag Racing communications coordinator.
For more than 67 years, the USO has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization that relies on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services.
