Hall of Fame Racing takes time to thank injured vets (cont'd)

Ricketts, a Purple Heart recipient, suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is struggling with a major brain injury all while trying to finish college at Sam Houston State University.

His veteran's benefits were substantial, but he still needed money to fix his motorcycle; his only means of transportation when he returned home from Iraq. The Semper Fi fund came through.

It came through for Michael Curtin as well. Curtin served a tour in Iraq as a Third Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion, Charlie Company and couldn't work when he returned home in 2004 after sustaining a head and back injury when his land assault vehicle encountered contact with a suicide bomber.

"The Semper Fi [fund] paid my bills and helped me buy food," said Curtin, whose first NASCAR race was Sunday at the Lowe's Motor Speedway.

To see the overwhelming support around the track; all the men and women in uniform, gave Curtin a great sense of pride and appreciation.

"Hearing Amazing Grace and Taps [was] difficult, because it [made] me think of the brothers and sisters we have lost, but I think it is amazing the support this sport has for our nation's military," he said.

Indiana native Kain Holland agrees.

"We really appreciate Hall of Fame Racing and being recognized in the driver's meeting. This really marks not only Memorial Day, but who we are as a nation and how strong we support our country. What we saw out here today is worth millions," said Kain, who in 1998 served four years with the Second Combat Engineer Battalion in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and nearly six years with the Sixth Engineer Support Battalion, performing operations in mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability.

Staff Sgt. Holland served two tours of duty in Iraq and it was during his second tour in 2007 that he endured a major open fracture to his right leg from an IED.

Stories like these compel Davin to help out with the Semper Fi fund whenever possible and send veterans to NASCAR races wherever possible.

"I like to remind people that if you're a citizen you should be proud and if we all make some small contribution to our active duty troops and their causes then we can all make a difference."