“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band to Play The National Anthem; Air Force Jets Return
The September 9-10 race weekend at Richmond International Raceway is all about thanking NASCAR fans for a phenomenal 2016 season. To honor that mindset and to continue the rich history of Pre-Race pageantry, RIR wants to focus on our fans in uniform during the Federated Auto Parts 400 Pre-Race Ceremonies – honoring our nation’s military and first responders. Highlighting the ceremonies will be the United States Marine Band. Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, “The President’s Own” is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization, and will be performing the National Anthem on Saturday night.
The United States Marine Band regularly perform at some of our nation’s most prestigious events, providing music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. “The President’s Own” performs all over the continental United States, and average nearly 200 White House performances each year.
During the National Anthem, fans will see a unit of over 50 soldiers from the Fort Eustis Army installation perform a flag unfurl on the Infield grass beneath a hook and ladder truck provided by Henrico County Fire Services. Punctuating the Marine Band’s performance, the Air Force will be making their return to RIR with a tandem T-38 flyover from the United States Air Force base in Langley, Virginia.
Also, participating in Saturday’s ceremony is Sargent Faith Flippo of the Richmond City Police, who will sing Gold Bless America, and Chaplain Ed Hamlin from Military District Washington D.C. will lead the crowd in prayer with the Pre-Race Invocation. Supporting the ceremonies on both nights is the Honor Guard from the Fort Lee Noncommissioned Officers Academy.
Don’t forget tickets are on sale now for the return of night racing at RIR with the Who’s Your Driver Weekend featuring the Virginia529 College Savings 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race Friday night, Sept. 9, and the Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Saturday, Sept. 10. Join us as we celebrate you the fans during Fan Appreciation Weekend. Click here to get your tickets now, or call the ticket office at 866-455-RACE.
