News

Actions

Veterans honored at Meridian Speedway

Posted at 10:50 PM, May 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-31 09:32:39-04

With the wave of the flag and a squeal of tires the drivers are off at Meridian Speedway.

“We have late models here, we have tuners, we have a lot of different kinds of racecars here tonight,” said naval officer Jesse Iwuji.

But on this Memorial Day this isn’t just an ordinary race.  The stands and even some of the cars are filled with our nation’s heroes for the 10th Annual Idaho Veterans Network Reunion for Afghanistan and Iraq servicemen and women, but veterans from all branches and eras were on hand for the event.

“Meridan Speedway has a big, long history of being here and helping people and they’ve always supported the veterans since day one that I know of and I’ve been off and on out of here for 40 years," said veteran Randy Keckley.

"It’s an honor.  The way they do that, the way they represent us, you can’t go wrong," said veteran Jackie Lawson.

All veterans, support staff, active-duty military and their families get in free.  A small gesture for a big sacrifice.

“I am really happy that, especially me being an active-duty naval officer myself, it’s really nice that tracks out across America are doing things like this to honor our veterans,” Iwuji said.

When we asked Lawson if he was going to cheer harder for the veterans racing tonight, the answer was clear.

"You better believe it, and they will win too."