Ty Dillon and Brandon Jones to Honor Two U.S. Marine Corps Units in continuation of Hope For the Warriors’ Serve 2 Serve Campaign
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 1, 2016) – Hope For The Warriors will partner with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) drivers Ty Dillon and Brandon Jones for tonight’s NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) race at Daytona International Speedway to honor two active duty units of the United States Marine Corps. The effort will be part of the ongoing “NASCAR: An American Salute” campaign, which looks to show appreciation for the United States Armed Forces as NXS drivers have their names on their front windshields replaced by active duty military units and installations.
The relationship with RCR allows Hope For The Warriors to bring greater meaning to their “Serve 2 Serve” 10 Year Celebration, which is designed to recognize those individuals that first served their country and now continue to serve the local community. The units were selected due to their relationship to Hope For The Warriors’ Chief Operation Officer Chris Sharon and Senior Director of Sports and Recreation Travis Hanson, who both served in combat with each of the units. Today, both Sharon and Hanson continue to serve the military community and their local communities through their work with Hope For The Warriors.
“We’re happy to partner with Richard Childress Racing on this initiative,” said Hanson. “RCR understands that significance of representing these two units, and not just for the current members, but for those who have served with these units in the past. For those individuals, it gives them an opportunity to remember and reflect on those brothers that they lost, while also honoring those who serve today.”
Dillon will have the name of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines (1/2) across the windshield of his No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. Based at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., the unit is nicknamed “Tyhpoon.” Several Marines who have served in combat with ½ will join Hope For The Warriors at the track on Friday night.
Jones will have the name of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines (3/2) across the windshield of the No. 33 Florida Lottery Chevrolet. The unit, which is nicknamed the “Betio Bastards,” is also based at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C. In addition to an active duty service member, several retired Marines who served in combat with 3/2 will also be in attendance at the race.
“I’m looking forward to carrying the name of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines on the windshield of my car this weekend,” said Jones. “I was fortunate to meet both Travis [Hanson] and Chris [Sharon] last year through my involvement with Hope For The Warriors, and when this opportunity came up, my first phone call was to them. I wanted to know which units they served in combat with, to be able to pick out a unit to recognize on our car. I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for what the men and women serving in our military do on a daily basis. To be able to recognize that effort and honor them, even with something as simple as listing their units name across our windshield, is really cool-especially around Independence Day.”
On a near weekly basis, Hope For The Warriors brings service members to the track through their Drive For Hope program, which focuses on engaging transitioning service members in a unique social setting while giving them an opportunity to learn about prospective careers, make networking connections and realize different ways their skills can transition as they reintegrate into the civilian sector.
To learn more about the program or find out how you can get involved, visit HopeForTheWarriors.org. Additionally, you can support Hope For The Warriors and its various programs by making a gift online, by phone at 877-246-7349, or by mail to 8003 Forbes Place, Ste. 201, Springfield, VA 22151. Text the word HOPE to 41518 to donate.
