NASCAR observes National Moment of Remembrance

CONCORD, N.C. -- At 3 p.m., local time Monday, NASCAR joined millions of Americans in the National Moment of Remembrance, a moment of reflection dedicated to those who served, fought for, and died for American freedom.

Hence, NASCAR has requested that fans worldwide take a moment to acknowledge those who have selflessly protected our freedom.

Probably, for their whole lives, people have heard names like Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima, Saigon, and all the wars we've fought and all the people that have died to give us our freedom, but they couldn't find those places on the map,"said NASCAR director of operations Kevin Triplett.

"Well, the thing about it is, is those guys who died probably couldn't find those places on the map before they died, either. They went to a place and didn't know where it was, but they laid it on the line so we can do what we do, where we do it. And at 3 o'clock on Monday, we just urge everyone to remember that."

The 3 p.m. time slot was chosen because it is considered a time when many Americans are enjoying freedom on the national holiday. The idea for the Moment of Remembrance came about in May 1996, when children touring Washington, DC, were asked what Memorial Day meant. They responded, "That's the day the pools open."

On December 28, 2000, by P.L. 106-579, the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance was established. It has the personal support of the President of the United States.

"Bill France said a long time ago that our competitors and our race fans are the type of people that win wars," Triplett said. "Bill Sr., was very patriotic, Bill Jr. is a very patriotic guy, Mike (Helton) is. When I hear Ray Charles' rendition of America the Beautiful makes me cry.

"You can't ask people to be patriotic. They have to feel it. But you can ask people to remember. There are an awful lot of people, whose names we'll never know, who went to a place we can't find on the map and gave their lives for our freedom."