As representatives of the Army and Schumacher Racing cut the cake celebrating the 334th birthday of the United States Army, Eddie Hakim stood off to the side and smiled. This moment transpired during the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J.

Hakim served in the Army at one time and now he serves the Army through his work with Edison Job Corp. Hakim assists in the preparation of young men who desire to enter the Army but may lack the skills to pass the the recruitment tests.

“We prepare them by getting them tutoring through 'March to Success', Hakim explained.

As representatives of the Army and Schumacher Racing cut the cake celebrating the 334th birthday of the United States Army, Eddie Hakim stood off to the side and smiled. This moment transpired during the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J.

Hakim served in the Army at one time and now he serves the Army through his work with Edison Job Corp. Hakim assists in the preparation of young men who desire to enter the Army but may lack the skills to pass the the recruitment tests.

“We prepare them by getting them tutoring through 'March to Success', Hakim explained.

For his efforts, Hakim was honored by the Army and the racing team by being named the week's honorary crewman. It was an honor Hakim did not seek out, but accepted humbly. For Hakim, he finds honor in every young man and woman he presents to the Army, who then goes on to a successful career serving their country.

Take away his last name and Eddie is American as apple pie. However, the name and his accent gives him away. Eddie won't reveal the country of his birth, somewhere in the Middle East, instead he is quick to point out he is an American citizen and fully supports the Army.

“It means a lot,” Eddie said of his American citizenship. “The place I come from, I always wanted to come to America. All the freedoms you dream about, all the opportunities you dream about you can find in the United States of America. That is why I am very proud to help the military as much as I can.” 

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