Panthers prowl Indiana
By Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry
May 8, 2008 - 12:08:20 PM
Blackanthem Military News
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| John Barnes, left, Panther Racing Team owner, listens and watches Sgt. Justin Ludwig, a 3175th Liaison Mission Team patrolman, give a briefing about his M-16 rifle Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Camp Atterbury. Panther Racing Team members visited Indiana National Guard sites. The National Guard sponsors the team's Indy Racing League car driven by Vitor Meira. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, Indiana National Guard |
CAMP ATTERBURY, IN. - Decelerating from 230 mph to 60 mph and returning from combat zone missions.
They might seem like incongruous experiences, but Indiana National Guard Soldiers and Panther Racing Team members think they're very similar.
"The hardest thing he (Vitor Meira) does, is not drive 230 mph at Indianapolis (Motor Speedway), but decelerate from that speed and hit the pit box," said John Barnes, team owner.
The National Guard sponsors the Indy Racing League car driven by Meira and owned by Barnes. The two, along with other Panther Team members, visited Indiana National Guard sites Wednesday, April 30, and saw Company F, 151st Infantry return from a year-long deployment to southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
According to Indiana's top enlisted Soldier, some combat veterans have a difficult time re-adjusting from a combat zone to civilian society again.
"It's hard to pull that warrior mentality back out of them," said Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Brown, a Vietnam War veteran.
The racing team flew in a UH-60 Blackhawk, and visited Camp Atterbury training sites. While there, they chatted with mobilized Soldiers who will deploy to Kosovo.
On simulated ranges the team fired MK-19 grenade launchers, M-2 .50 caliber machine guns, M-249 squad automating weapons, and other weapons in the Army's arsenal.
"He was knocking them down," said Sgt. Melton Thompson of Meira's shooting skills. Thompson helped supervise the Panther team as they fired the weapons.
The team also ate lunch with mobilizing Soldiers and visited Indiana's Youth Challenge Academy. Then it was on to 38th Infantry Division armory to see the Company F homecoming ceremony.
"It's a helluva pleasure to be here with you in Indianapolis," said Barnes to the Soldiers' family members as they awaited the company's return. "This is a special opportunity to be here with you on this occasion - welcoming family members back home."
"It's a pleasure, privilege and honor," reiterated Barnes. "What you're sacrificing for us, so we can live in freedom."
Meira also gave kudos to the returning Soldiers.
"America is not the most powerful country in the world for nothing," said Meira. "It's because of the people like those arriving today."
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Ohio Army National Guard Sgt. John Hicks instructs Indy Racing League race car driver, Vitor Meira, seated, how to fire an MK-19 grenade launcher as John Barnes, standing, looks at a simulated firing range at Camp Atterbury Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Panther Racing Team members visited Indiana National Guard sites. The National Guard sponsors the team's Indy Racing League car driven by Meira. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, Indiana National Guard |
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| Indiana Army National Guard Sgt. Melton Thompson loads an M-2 .50 caliber machine gun as Indy Racing League race car driver, Vitor Meir, left, watches Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Panther Racing Team members visited Camp Atterbury and other Indiana National Guard sites. The National Guard sponsors the team's Indy Racing League car driven by Meira. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, Indiana National Guard |
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| Ohio Army National Guard Sgt. John Hicks, center, instructs Indy Racing League race car driver Vitor Meira, right, how to use a virtual, mounted M-2 50 caliber machine gun at Camp Atterbury Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Panther Racing Team members visited Indiana National Guard sites. The National Guard sponsors the team's Indy Racing League car driven by Meira. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, Indiana National Guard |
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| Missouri Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Larry Kay, Kosovo 10 commander, chats with Indy Racing League race car driver Vitor Meira at Camp Atterbury Wednesday, April 30. 2008. Panther Racing Team members visited Indiana National Guard sites. The National Guard sponsors the team's Indy Racing League car driven by Meira. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, Indiana National Guard |
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