Bobby Hamilton, Jr., driver of the #25 Team Marines Ford Taurus, Team Rensi Motorsports and the United States Marine Corps will honor all the moms of America on Saturday, May 11, 2002, at the Busch 200 at New Hampshire International Raceway. To honor the special day, which occurs the day before Mothers Day, local Marines from the Portsmouth, NH, Recruiting Command will hand out 1,000 red carnations, donated by Team Rensi Motorsports, to mothers in attendance. Along with the carnation will be a unity lapel pin of the Blue Star Service Flag to honor all of the men and women who are making sacrifices to protect their country, as well as their mothers, who are unable to celebrate the special day with their loved ones. The Blue Star Service flag, which was originated in the early 1900s, is the symbol for a loved one serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities. The custom of displaying the flag in the front window of the home became widespread during WWII. Members of the Blue Star Mothers of America are being honored symbolically as representatives of all mothers of United States military personnel and will attend the race as special guests of Team Rensi Motorsports and the United States Marine Corps. The Blue Star Mothers of America, founded in 1942, is a service organization whose purpose is to unite all mothers who have sons and daughters in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, into a permanent organization. For Ed and Sam Rensi, owners of Team Rensi Motorsports, working with the Blue Star Mothers of America has a special meaning. Their father was the Legion Post Commander in Hopedale, OH after World War II and often worked closely with the organization. Sam Rensi remembers taking part in the memorial parades as well as playing Taps on the trumpet at many of the memorial services of fallen veterans.(Team Rensi PR)(5-6-2002)
