Even stock car racing’s strongest detractors have to agree that NASCAR has shown respect to our country’s military personnel in various ways, most notably their inclusion in the pre-race ceremonies. Anyone who has been at a track and broken out into gooseflesh while watching a flyover knows what a rush that is to experience.

I have been in the garage area for various races, and seen the military personnel who were scheduled to be a part of the ceremonies prior to the singing of the National Anthem walking through the pits and garages. Their upright stature and pristine uniforms inspire patriotic reverence in those who see them.

I am grateful to have been too young to have been aware of the times in the 70s when a certain segment of the American population showed disdain to our Viet Nam veterans. Now I am married to a veteran from that war, and he tells me horrific stories of people’s disrespect and outright hatred for the returning veterans from Viet Nam. I cannot understand how hatred of the war twisted into fervent feelings of hatred for the young men and women of the military who put their lives on the line in a country on the other side of the world. They were over there protecting the very people who were spitting on them in airports upon their return. I pray that this inconceivable treatment never be repeated in our country’s history.

Partly due to my discomfort with that time in our history, as well as having had various family members in the military (including a step-son, Chad, who served in Iraq in recent years), I have come to deeply respect and admire our country’s service men and women. I pray for their safety and strength; and for their family members and friends.

Read more Looking for service men and women who are NASCAR fans ...

Do you remember where you were on that horrible day?

Read more We remember those lost on 9/11/01 ...

NASCAR fans are known for their passion for their favorite drivers, as well as debating the controversial topics that swirl during every season. Even during the months of December and January, you can find a lively discussion about who’s going to go where, or what sponsor is going in or out, or many other racing-related newsbytes on busy message boards all over the internet. It’s a terrific way for the world’s most dedicated fans to support each other during the off-season.

When something is occurring that’s particularly contentious, such as when the Chase for the Cup was instituted, NASCAR fans can be counted upon to react in varying degrees from mild consternation to Chicken-Little-itis. I like to follow the intelligent debates about such issues (and many of them are, as opposed to the few that are nothing more than child-like recess spats), because most of the time I learn something or think of something that I would not have otherwise.

Life always has a way of interrupting the racing enthusiast’s heat-of-the-moment wranglings, though. Does anyone remember Dale Jarrett’s quiet but sage comments following 9/11? Indicating that despite what goes on in NASCAR, and how passionately we may feel about it, in the end it’s really of little significance?

Read more When Buschwhacking, the COT, and changes to the Chase become rather insignificant ...

There are moments in everyone’s lives that do not fade; no matter how much time passes the details remain sharp. Weddings, graduations, births, and deaths usually top the list of things we recall with great clarity because they mean so much to us personally.

Folks a bit older than I am can usually tell me where they were and what they were doing when John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November of 1963. I was working as a bartender the day that the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in the sky in 1986, and after seeing the camera pan over the puzzled faces of the children who were there to see their teacher, Mrs. McAuliffe, make history I could barely finish my shift.

For NASCAR fans, there have been several events that brought such excitement that they will be remembered forever by many followers of the sport (such as Darrell Waltrip’s Daytona 500 win 1989, or Dale Earnhardt’s win in 1998, both joyously celebrated). Of course, there are the tragedies as well (like the passing of Alan Kulwicki in 1993, or of Dale Earnhardt in 2001, both deeply mourned).

NASCAR fans are known to be spiritual and patriotic, and most stand reverently during the pre-race ceremonies. It raises gooseflesh when a stirring rendition of the National Anthem has been sung, followed closely by a military flyover. You can almost feel the deep appreciation and love of country in the air during those moments.

Read more Patriotic NASCAR fans will never forget ...

During the 1970’s, I was busy being a rebellious teen who liked her hair long and her friends on the fringe. Strangely enough, although I liked boys and fast cars, this interest did not transcend over into racing. If I heard the name ‘Darrell Waltrip’, it really didn’t mean anything to me.

At this same time in history, racing interested Darrell Waltrip very much. I have heard he was a bit rebellious in his own right, and liked fast cars, too.

He won the Rebel 500 race at Darlington International Raceway in April of 1977, about the same time I was ordering my high school graduation cap and gown. I had managed to successfully put twelve years of school behind me, and Waltrip was managing to become a successful driver in NASCAR.

Fast-forward to July 20, 2006, on a hot afternoon in Martinsville, VA, two days before the Goody’s Headache Powder 250 Busch series race. I still have long hair, but now I am a mother of a young man who has just worn his cap and gown for his high school graduation. And Darrell Waltrip is entering a race, allegedly his last race, as a three-time Cup Champion. My, what a few decades will do to people.

Read more D.W. still values the fans ...

Read more Happy Birthday Mr. Helton! ...

Read more How do you say thanks for a dream? ...

Read more We didn ...

Read more Thank you, Eddie Gossage, for that huge ribbon ...

Read more ‘GOD, CAW, JAW and NASCAR’ by Joshua Walker ...