Yesterday was media day at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, and Wish For Our Heroes Inc. was proud to be represented by U.S. Army Specialist Charles Lemon, a double amputee combat veteran and resident of St. Petersburg, FL. Lemon was chosen as the first recipient of complimentary tickets through a new program established by W4OH and the Honda Grand Prix, that will send thousands of troops to the 2013 Honda Grand Prix March 22-24. The tickets were presented to SPC Lemon by Honda Grand Prix personnel and a group of 10 IndyCar Series and Pirelli World Challenge Championships drivers that will be racing at the event in March.
SPC Lemon said a few words regarding his service and gratitude to W4OH and the Honda Grand Prix team, and immediately after his speech, two F-18 fighter jets from Macdill Air Force Base, Florida flew over in a slow fly-by, as if to salute his courage and contribution to the country. Honda Grand Prix representatives said, “The timing was chilling and it confirmed why we implemented this program. We all had goose bumps.”
IZOD IndyCar Series driver, Alex Tagliani, was so impressed, he offered to wear a helmet with the W4OH logo during the Honda Grand Prix. Afterward, he will donate it to us to auction off to raise additional funds for the troops (see Twitter feed @Wish4RHeroes).
Anyone can contribute to this worthy cause by making a general donation (of any amount), purchasing an entire ticket for a hero, or donating an existing ticket at: https://www.wishforourheroes.org/programs/details/send-a-hero-to-the-honda-grand-prix-of-st.-petersburg
