JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and the Daily Press hosted Military Appreciation Night at the Langley Motor Speedway in Hampton, Va., May 19.
Armed Forces Day, which was the reason for celebration, meant military members and their dependents received free admission to the races.
"We hosted the event on Armed Forces Day to recognize the peninsula and regional service members, and their families, for their service and to thank them for being our friends and neighbors," said Mike Kuhns, the VPCC president. "We want to let them know we are a military-friendly community."
The U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown silent drill team was the first military service to perform for the evening. They were followed by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band from Fort Eustis, Va., who played The Armed Forces Medley. The crowd was encouraged to cheer for their respective branch of service.
A joint-service color guard presented the colors while U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Michelle Schopp sang the national anthem. The 1st Fighter Wing from Langley Air Force Base also provided two T-38 Talons for the first-ever fly-over of the speedway after the national anthem.
The U.S. Army 7th Sustainment Brigade from Fort Eustis had a static display, which showcased military-communications capabilities set-up behind the stands.
In addition to the opening events, each military service was represented by one of the top five racers of the evening. The U.S. Marine Corps took home the gold this year, but Kuhns said Military Appreciation Night is scheduled to be an annual event. He said they hope to add a new name and service to the cup each year.
More than 5,000 people attended the event throughout the evening and of those, about 2,800 were military members and their dependents, according to Kuhns.
"The military provides up to 45 percent of our economy," said Kuhns. "It makes sense to make sure we recognize and appreciate those who affect the use of those funds; not to mention protect our freedom."