In celebration of Memorial Day Weekend, the NASCAR community has organized a number of key initiatives. Those occurring this week:
 On Thursday, May 26, 2011, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and President of ESPN and ABC Sports’ George Bodenheimer will join the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in honoring the men and women who serve our nation in the U.S. Armed Forces. France and Bodenheimer will receive the 2011 Intrepid Salute Award, an award presented to “corporate and community leaders for their support of our nation’s military and veterans communities, providing educational opportunities to our nation’s young people, and serving as an example of leadership and responsibility” at the Intrepid’s 2011 Salute to Freedom dinner. The award will be presented by Jeddah Deloria, a wounded warrior who served with the Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and was severely injured in combat while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2007. The NASCAR Sprint Cup trophy and at least one show car are scheduled to be at the dinner.
 In support of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s “Joining Forces” initiative announced in April 2011, NASCAR and Walmart have completed a public service announcement to be featured on the in-store networks of 500+ Walmart stores. Produced by NASCAR Media Group, the PSA features drivers Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Parker Kligerman as well as the First Lady calling on fans and customers to recognize the needs of our military families. Viewers will be directed to joiningforces.gov for information. The PSA’s will debut on Memorial Day and run throughout the 2011 NASCAR season.
 NASCAR and the Armed Forces Foundation have come together to launch the Troops to the Track initiative, which recognizes and hosts members of the U.S. Armed Forces at NASCAR races throughout the year. Troops to the Track will provide over 100 wounded service members, or service members in jobs that are particularly emotional and physically demanding, an opportunity to get away from the challenges they face each day with an exclusive, VIP-style NASCAR race day experience. This weekend’s guest will be from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Ft. Bragg.
Jeddah enlisted in the Army in March 2006 from Los Angeles, CA. Jeddah joined 173 Airborne Brigade Chosen Company 2nd of 503 and deployed to Afghanistan May 2007. While at outpost ‘Ranch House’ alone on the morning of 22 Aug 2007 he was overrun by some 75 Taliban and left for dead. After re-attack by his unit pushing the Taliban back, they got to his outpost and found him still alive. He had been hit by an RPG and shot in the back. His injuries included shrapnel in the brain, impaired vision in right eye, loss of an ear drum, and a bullet in the shoulder. Admitted into Bethesda Naval Hospital initially and later Walter Reed while still recovering from his wounds with pending medical discharge, Jeddah was recruited for the Oracle Wounded Warrior Internship in June 2009. He graduated from the Internship in July 2010 and was hired full time as Oracle Direct Army Sales Representative. Oracle is finishing their 4th Quarter and Jeddah is in the Top 5 Oracle Direct Sales Reps, beginning a software sales career with a most impressive start.(NASCAR)(5-26-2011)
