It was June 2011 and I was sitting on the steps of our transporter at the Milwaukee Mile as I watched our decal/logo guy place The Young Marines logo on my racecar. I remember it distinctively for a couple reasons. That weekend I won the pole for my race and finished second. But I also remember it as the start of the partnership with this youth organization and that they celebrate the veterans all year long.
The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls ages 8 through completion of high school. The program continually challenges its members to dedicate time and energy to honor our nation's veterans and to demonstrate appreciation for our veterans' service to our country.
Not only does it remind me seeing the logo on my Andretti Autosport racecar weekend and week out, but annually on Veterans Day when the rest of the nation pays respect to all the veterans have given up for our freedom.
I think every year on Veterans Day we are reminded what we should be doing every single day and that's honoring our vets. At the Indy 500 annually, so much goes into honoring our military and each time I see all the pomp and circumstance, I'm touched in a new way.
It's important for all of us to show commitment to being good role models and working together to honor those who have come before us. With this past weekend's Veterans Day and the holiday on Monday, I hope you took the time to remember why we were in observance and thanked a veteran when you saw them. And if you didn't, it's not too late, just be like the Young Marines, and thank them every day.
What did you do on this Veterans Day appreciation weekend? I would love to hear from you.
-Zach
Zach Veach is one of the youngest licensed semi-pro racecar drivers in the country. Named by ESPN The Magazine as a NEXT athlete in motorsports and among CNN's "Intriguing People" Veach is also the author of: 99 THINGS TEENS WISH THEY KNEW BEFORE TURNING 16. Zach is a contributing blogger for the Huffington Post. For more on Zach, go to www.zachveach.com.