Mothers of Men and Women Fighting the War on Terrorism To Be Honored at NASCAR Busch Series Race in New Hampshire

    MOORESVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--May 6, 2002--It can never be said that NASCAR is not a patriotic sport.
    Just watch a race on Saturday and Sunday and watch 500 men stand at attention for the National Anthem and stare up at the sky with chill bumps on their arms as U.S. military jets perform the flyover. With Mother's Day right around the corner, one NASCAR Busch Series team would like to extend that patriotism to not only honor the men and women fighting for the freedom of this country, but their mothers as well.
    Team Rensi Motorsports, which fields the No. 25 Team Marines Ford Taurus driven by Bobby Hamilton, Jr., and the United States Marine Corps will pay tribute to these moms this Saturday, May 11, 2002, at the Busch 200 at New Hampshire International Raceway.
    To honor the special day, which occurs the day before Mother's Day, local Marines from the Portsmouth, NH, Recruiting Command will hand out red carnations, donated by Team Rensi Motorsports, to mothers in attendance. Along with the carnation will be a unity lapel pin of the Blue Star Service Flag to honor all of the men and women who are making sacrifices to protect their country, as well as their mothers, who are unable to celebrate Mother's Day with their loved ones.
    The Blue Star Service flag, which was originated in the early 1900's, is the symbol for a loved one serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities. The custom of displaying the flag in the front window of the home became widespread during WWII.
    Major Rob Winchester, USMC Recruiting Command Headquarters, Quantico, VA, feels that it is important to not only keep our Marines in our thoughts and prayers, but their mothers as well.
    "The United States Marine Corps thinks it is only appropriate to honor the mothers who also make huge sacrifices for our country on Mother's Day. And what better way to do that than at an event of this magnitude and in front of a nationwide audience. We want every mother out there to know that they are appreciated."
    Members of the Blue Star Mothers of America are being honored symbolically as representatives of all mothers of United States military personnel and will attend the race as special guests of Team Rensi Motorsports and the United States Marine Corps. The Blue Star Mothers of America, founded in 1942, is a service organization whose purpose is to unite all mothers who have sons and daughters in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, into a permanent organization.
    For Ed and Sam Rensi, owners of Team Rensi Motorsports, working with the Blue Star Mothers of America has a special meaning. Their father was the Legion Post Commander in Hopedale, OH after World War II and often worked closely with the organization. Sam Rensi remembers taking part in the memorial parades as well as playing "Taps" on the trumpet at many of the memorial services of fallen veterans.
    The Rensis also feel that it's especially important to celebrate the meaning of family after the events of the past year.
    "The two of us believe that the Blue Star Mothers of America is a great service organization dedicated to family support of the United States military personnel and their families during these troubling times considering the reality of terrorism," said Ed Rensi. "We feel that it is important that all United States citizens support the families of active duty Marines and we are proud to have a part in doing that."