LEWIS DONATES TO VIETNAM VETS/POW DRAGSTER
Tue, 2007-03-20 08:53
Tim Lewis knew from the moment Evan Knoll announced his Melanie Troxel-driven,
Vietnam Veterans/POW-MIA Tribute dragster that he wanted to be involved. The
62-year old partner in the Foley & Lewis Top Fueler driven by Doug Foley was
a Vietnam-era veteran and knew first-hand the plight the brave servicemen and
women encountered upon returning to country after their tour of
duty.
Today, Lewis gave back in memory of his friends who served our
country during the tumultuous years of 1965 – 1975. His donation will make
possible a special gift to each Vietnam Veteran and POW-MIA Family member who
attends each NHRA POWERade event as a guest of the Troxel team.
The National Hot Rod Association has likewise donated eight
tickets for each event to support the cause. This program began in Pomona during
the NHRA CARQUEST Winternationals.
“It means a lot to me to see Melanie providing a tribute to
our brave soldiers who served over in Vietnam,” Lewis said. “I was a part of the
Vietnam-era and served as a military intelligence officer from 1968 - 1969. When
I saw what Evan Knoll put together for the Vietnam veterans…it meant a lot to
me. I just felt that I could help by putting together a contribution to the
cause.”
Lewis is partial to which team he’d love to see win because
he’s a team owner, but can’t help cheering for the Vietnam Veterans/POW-MIA
dragster.
“It’s been almost four decades since I was a part of this and
seeing what Evan has done brings back the memories. I have been blessed with a
good life. I often think of what happened to so many of my friends and why it is
so important to honor our veterans. It should make us all think of the freedoms
we enjoy today. My contribution, although a modest one, is intended to provide
the special veterans in attendance a special gift to commemorate the
experience.”
This Vietnam Veterans/POW-MIA dragster has a unique attraction
that has been responsible for attracting former drag racing fans that have been
absent from the drags for nearly four decades.
“All of our war veterans are special, but it is the Vietnam
veterans who have been long overlooked,” Lewis said. “Those of us who went
through it remember the torment we experienced coming home. It was an experience
that we all haven’t been able to forget.
“Seeing these guys come back is incredible. It reintroduces a
true passion for me (drag racing) to a demographic of people that means so much
to me. I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me to see what Evan Knoll
and Melanie are doing out here. That really ties it together for me.”
Program coordinator Bobby Bennett says that it’s the efforts
of people like Knoll, the NHRA’s John Siragusa, Troxel, and now Lewis that makes
this project the special one it is.
“Evan Knoll is a visionary and a man with a large heart,”
Bennett said. “I have watched veterans that served in Vietnam come to tears by
just looking at the car. It brings back memories and at last someone is saying
thanks to these brave members of the military who served. All they’ve wanted is
someone to say ‘Welcome Home.’
“Then you have a driver like Melanie Troxel, who was born in
1972, who has immersed herself in learning everything the Vietnam Veterans and
POW-MIA families experienced during that time. You just have to watch her
interaction with these special individuals to know she’s the right person for
this task.
“Then you have people such as Tim making this donation and
John Siragusa ensuring the veterans a pass to get in the track and you have the
ultimate tribute. The people involved in making this project happen are the
heroes here.”
The Vietnam Veterans/POW-MIA dragster is presented by Torco
Race Fuels (www.torco.com)
and Lucas Oil Products (www.lucasoil.com).
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