NASCAR Day at Walter Reed Hospital
But what's more amazing is their attitude. These young people have every reason in the world to be disappointed, mad, angry and have bad attitudes. They could very easily want to blame everybody for what's happened to them. But you would be so inspired by them. We went to the rehab department where doctors are fitting prostetics to their legs and arms. The technology is incredible. We saw new prosthetics with computer chips, carbon fiber and titanium that help these soldiers function better and work more normally.
They had a machine that was developed by Nike for athletes with injured Achilles tendons and other injuries that needed rehab without bearing any weight. While a lot of sports teams and trainers use swimming pools, this treadmill basically puts a balloon around your lower body and builds up air pressure, taking weight off of your legs. It allows them to work on coordination and learning to walk with artificial limbs. It's just another piece of equipment that has been developed over the last few years to help these guys and gals get back on their feet and get going again.
I was so proud of my NASCAR buddies. Folks, I know there are a lot of great athletes in every sport, but no athletes in my mind give more, care more or are more passionate than NASCAR drivers. Tony Stewart was amazing, reaching out to the men and the women. A family had a young son there, and he just took to Tony, who was so sweet and kind to him. Kurt Busch was really warm and kind to the troops.
Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon Ryan Newman, David Stremme and Ray Evernham were there as well. DEI President of global operations Max Siegel and his wife came from DEI. NASCAR VP of corporate communications Jim Hunter, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, NASCAR President Mike Helton, NASCAR VP of competition Robin Pemberton and other personnel were there and helped set up the event.
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It was all done so well, and the troops appreciated it so much. It made it all worthwhile just to see those young kids smile for a little while. Everybody gave so much, and everybody was so warm. The troops were so appreciative of us being there. It's the second year that Stevie and I had gone up there, and it's the third or fourth year that NASCAR has put on this day for the troops. Overwhelmingly, it's one of the coolest things that Stevie and I get to do each year, and I got to be the master of ceremonies. We signed autographs, and the drivers did a Q&A with the troops and their families. At dinner, former American Idol contestants Bo Bice and Diana DiGarmo performed. It was really just a neat event.
This story isn't about, "Oh, look what we did." I just wanted you to know what our guys and your heroes do almost on a daily basis. Your favorite driver is out there doing things for our sport and our fans. I wanted to tell you about it so you would have a greater appreciation for how much they give. It meant so much to those troops for the guys to be there. I was just glad to take it all in and do what little bit I could do.
It was just one of those special events that makes your heart hurt, but it makes you feel really good when you leave, knowing that you may have helped give just a little bit of joy to those guys and gals face who are working so hard to get their lives back to normal. God bless each one of them, and God bless America.
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