Clint Bowyer’s #97-Jack Daniel’s Chevy will feature a special USO Toast to the Troops paint scheme for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Jack Daniel’s and the USO joined together, beginning in 2005, to present the “Toast to the Troops” campaign, which gives Americans the opportunity to send special messages of support to the men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces. These “toasts” are included in care packages the USO delivers to troops deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas locations, as well as troops arriving and departing on rest and recuperation (R&R) flights. The care packages include an assortment of items specifically requested by service members, such as prepaid international calling cards, toiletries, sunscreen, playing cards, a disposable camera and snacks. Special “stuffing parties” have been held on military installations across the country where military spouses, USO volunteers and Jack Daniel’s employees added the “toasts” to care packages along with the other items. Since the “Toast to the Troops” campaign began, Jack Daniel’s and the USO have collected more than 60,000 messages of support that were included in care packages assembled at Fort Campbell, Ky., Fort Gillem/Fort McPherson, Ga., Fort Hood, Texas, Scott Air Force, Mo., Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., Jacksonville Naval Station, Fla., and Quantico Marine Base, Va. In some instances, the care packages and messages were handed to service members as they were boarding planes for overseas deployment.(RCR PR)(5-21-2008)
