A 98-year-old veteran U.S. Marine from Fort Worth will perform God Bless America before Sunday’s NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway.
The speedway said Graves is the son of a U.S. Marine and tried to join the corps immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, but they said he was too young.
The Detroit native ended up joining the day after he turned 17 and was trained as a flame thrower. His first combat assignment was the initial attack on Iwo Jima beginning Feb. 19, 1945. According to organizers, Graves"was one of only 18 of the 335 men of his Second Battalion, Fifth Marine Division to survive the successful 36-day assault forever memorialized by the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph by Joe Rosenthal of the Stars and Stripes being raised atop Mount Suribachi."Mark Faber, TMS executive vice president and general manager, visited Graves at his Fort Worth home on June 22 and extended the invitation for him to sing before the race.
"All of us at Texas Motor Speedway are honored to welcome a true American hero like Don Graves to sing God Bless America prior to the start of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400," said Faber."We will celebrate Mr. Graves for his valiant service to his country as a U.S. Marine in World War II as well as his 32 years of service to his church and parishioners. He is a hero to us all.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
From 'America's mayor' to 'America's deadbeat': Giuliani faces more legal problemsRudy Giuliani has failed to comply with a federal judge's order to turn over evidence and pay legal fees to election workers he defamed, according to a new court filing.
Read more »
Catholic priests bless same-sex couples in defiance of a German archbishopThe blessing of same-sex couples on Wednesday was the latest sign of rebellion of progressive believers in Germany’s most populous diocese.
Read more »
Documentary ‘God & Country: The Rise Of Christian Nationalism’ From Producer Rob Reiner Acquired By OscilloscopeOscilloscope Laboratories has snapped up U.S. rights to God & Country: The Rise of Christian Nationalism, a new documentary produced by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Rob Reiner (A Few Good Men). Fe…
Read more »
Fear of God Lights Up LA With First-Ever Runway ShowFireworks, rap performances and celebrities filled the stadium at the Hollywood Bowl.
Read more »