6TH MARINE CORPS DISTRICT, PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Marines from across the eastern seaboard stormed Daytona Beach the weekend of July 5th performing for a crowd of more than 250,000 NASCAR fans in attendance at both the Busch GNC Live Well 250 race Friday night and the Winston Cup Pepsi 400 race Saturday.
The 6th Marine Corps District combined assets from as far north as Marine Barracks, 8th & I, to various Inspector and Instructor Staffs from Florida. Even future military members from Palm Bay High School's Junior ROTC in Melbourne, Fla. took part in the display of ceremonial talent.
THE BUSCH SERIES RACE
The Marine invasion began July 5, with Marines from Recruiting Station Jacksonville, Fla. setting the stage with an enhanced area canvassing booth across the street from the track at a Daytona Beach Mall. Along with the pull-up challenge, and Marine Corps recruiting 'Hummer,' Team Marines racing displayed the No. 25 Busch Series show car. These displays provided a taste of what was in store across the street that weekend.
Although the storm clouds rushed in during the day creating a soggy mess of the infield at Daytona International Speedway, Marines and racing fans alike were not deterred from the track. Blowers circled the 2.5-mile throughway while event coordinators busily set up stages for pre-race festivities.
One of the first Marine events was the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation and Blue Star decal to Kandi Hollman, mother of Cpl. Jonathan Hollman with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Pendleton Calif., which recently returned from duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On the infield stage, the Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Jacksonville, Maj. William R. Hittinger, presented the certificate while the presentation was displayed on the track's jumbotron to the many fans in attendance.
After this presentation, the stage was promptly whisked away to prepare for the beginning of the race. But, the race did not begin until after Staff Sgt. Mitchell O. Martin, musician technical assistant for the 6th MCD, performed 'America the Beautiful' on his trumpet as part of the patriotic opener for the Busch race.
After the green flag was waved, the cars were off for the first race of the weekend. Even though the Team Marines No. 25 car suffered damage during lap 84, ending Bobby Hamilton, Jr's race for the evening, the Marine spirit was not to be dampened.
THE WINSTON CUP SERIES RACE
The next morning started an even busier day for the Marines. Although the Corps has no racecar in the NASCAR Winston Cup series, Marines en masse were traveling to the track to prepare for the Daytona International Speedway's Salute to the Military that evening.
Before engines roared and rubber squealed and under a grueling, humid Florida sun, about 200 Marines were scurrying behind the infield getting ready for the grand finale of the weekend.
At the prescribed time, the Silent Drill Platoon marched onto pit row preceded by a small bagpipe marching band who played the Marine's Hymn on their route to center stage. Following the Silent Drill Platoon were the Junior ROTC members in four color guard detachments, joined by a color guard detachment from Blount Island, Fla. After the color guards posted and the Silent Drill Platoon was in place, approximately 200 volunteer Marines from various commands throughout the South lined the infield grass preparing to deploy a 300 by 160 foot American Flag two times during the salute.
After the Silent Drill Platoon performed a flawless routine, special guest Maj. Rose-Ann Sgrignoli, with the Special Projects Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps, sang "America the Beautiful." During her performance, the volunteer Marines sprang to action and unfurled the enormous flag for its first appearance that evening.
Four AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, Marine Aircraft Group 26, Marine Corps Air Station, New River, NC, whipped the skies above as Sgrignoli hit the last note of the song.
As the Winston Cup NASCAR drivers were introduced, they left the stage to walk through a gauntlet of the Silent Drill Platoon and their famous snap and pop precision rifle drill.
The ceremonies concluded with vocalists Jessica Simpson, singing "God Bless America," and Darius Rucker, singing the national anthem during which the giant flag was unfurled for the last time.
When all was said and done, the Marines executed the tasks at hand with a roar from a crowd exceeding 200,000 spectators. Even with the thunder coming from the grandstands, the Marines did not miss a beat.
With the help of Jay Howard Events Production Group (JHE), 6th MCD was able to get the Marines to the speedway to pull off this massive infiltration.
"We coordinated with them (JHE) after Mike Manning (event coordinator for the track) directed us to them," said Master Sgt. William Hanrahan, Enhanced Marketing Vehicle team chief. "They approached us about unfurling the flag and asked if we had the manpower to do so. They helped us to create the salute to the Armed Forces."
"We ventured into the idea of having the Silent Drill Platoon there," Hanrahan said. "After coordinating with them and getting all the approvals, we approached (JHE) with the idea."
"The best part about being there was the face time we got on TV and on the websites," said Cpl. Nick Andrews, 1st squad leader, Silent Drill Platoon. "People that normally don't get to see us got an opportunity to do so."
Following the pre-race ceremonies, the Marines that participated in the event were afforded the opportunity to enjoy a NASCAR race from either the pits or the grandstands.
"It was a good time," said Andrews. "We got an opportunity to see some of the drivers, Jessica Simpson and Darius Rucker."
"Our plan for the future is to exploit the Marine Corps and its assets at every venue possible," said Hanrahan. "We are trying to get support from the Silent Drill Platoon and air support at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October."