While Sergeant First Class Wesley Catoe, Pageland, SC, has seen his share of conflict during his nearly 11 years in the Army, he was working a plumb assignment Saturday morning at zMax Dragway.

Sergeant Catoe was all smiles as he answered questions from young and old alike about what it is like to be a member of the Army family. In addition, Catoe is this week's “Hometown Hero” being honored by the US Army Top Fuel dragster team.

Just as the ARMY sponsorship is a perfect fit for Tony Schumacher, joining the Army was the perfect move for Catoe.

While Sergeant First Class Wesley Catoe, Pageland, SC, has seen his share of conflict during his nearly 11 years in the Army, he was working a plumb assignment Saturday morning at zMax Dragway.

Sergeant Catoe was all smiles as he answered questions from young and old alike about what it is like to be a member of the Army family. In addition, Catoe is this week's “Hometown Hero” being honored by the US Army Top Fuel dragster team.

Just as the ARMY sponsorship is a perfect fit for Tony Schumacher, joining the Army was the perfect move for Catoe.

“I have always loved the Army since I was a kid,” explained Catoe. “You add that with a little bit of patriotism and love of country and I am right where I need to be. This is what I'm made for.”

Catoe had another love as a child. A love of drag racing. He was a regular spectator at Darlington and Rockingham Raceways and now attends the Jefferson-Pageland drag strip outside his hometown when the opportunity presents itself.

His idol as a child?

“I'd say Kenny Bernstein,” said Catoe. “I have no reason why. I just thought he was a cool driver. I liked him when I was growing up. It was something about him, the paint scheme on the car. It all just came together for me. He was my guy.”

Today, Tony Schumacher, courtesy of the ARMY sponsorship is Catoe's guy.

When Catoe isn't working the plumb assignments, he's serving his country and our freedoms. He can hardly describe how he feels about the job he does.

“Word's can't describe it,” said Catoe. “It feels great. To know that our kids and wives can go to the grocery store safely, your kids can go to school without worry; I would rather take the fight over there and the fight come to US soil. So, anything I can do over there to keep us free is okay with me.”

While Sergeant Catoe spreads the ARMY word, Tony Schumacher will take the fight to the dragstrip as he battles to win the first Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, courtesy of the freedom Sergeant Catoe so valiantly defends.