North Carolina National Guard Soldiers to be Honored for Service in Iraq at Customized Car Show

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Operation Tribute to Freedom:

  WHAT:     Seven North Carolina National Guard Soldiers will be honored for
            their service in Iraq during the Boost Mobile "Hot Import
            Nights" customized car show this Saturday at the Merchandise
            Mart in Charlotte, N.C. The Soldiers, who built roads, housing
            facilities and protective barriers with the 505th Engineer
            Battalion returned home in October 2006, and are being
            recognized for their service in support of Operation Iraqi
            Freedom.

            A haven for car show enthusiasts, the "Hot Import Nights" shows
            feature performances by hip-hop artists alongside tricked-out
            cars. Soldier recognition ceremonies are scheduled for each stop
            on the 20-city tour between now and December. The recognitions
            are part of the Army's Operation Tribute to Freedom program,
            which honors returning Soldiers for their service in Iraq and
            Afghanistan.

            **Two Soldiers are available for interviews before the
            recognition. **

  WHO:      Sgt. William Burriola served in support of Operation Iraqi
            Freedom with the 505th Engineer Battalion as a Land Surveyor. He
            is currently with the 621st Design and Survey Team, and is also
            a junior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
            majoring in civil engineering.

            Sgt. 1st Class Haden Spaulding served in support of Operation
            Iraqi Freedom and monitored all convoys and missions as a
            Battalion Captain for the 505th Engineer Battalion. He is
            currently a Readiness Non-Commissioned Officer with the 621st
            Design and Survey Team.

  WHEN:     Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 7 p.m. EDT
            Recognition activities will take place on the Boost Urban Stage.
            Contact Nicole Hayes at (202) 828-6321 to coordinate specific
            times and locations for Soldier interviews.

  WHERE:    Merchandise Mart, 2500 East Independence Blvd, Charlotte, N.C.

  About Operation Tribute to Freedom

Operation Tribute to Freedom (OTF) recognizes and honors Soldiers returning from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through speaking and recognition events in communities across the country. For more information, visit http://www.army.mil/otf.