ESGR and Speedway Children's Charities complete another NASCAR Overseas Tour to Entertain US Troops in Iraq

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense (DOD), announced the successful completion of another Overseas Civic Leaders Tour featuring celebrities from the family of NASCAR Motor sports.

Arlington, VA (PRWEB) January 10, 2004 --The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense (DOD), announced the successful completion of another Overseas Civic Leaders Tour featuring celebrities from the family of NASCAR Motor sports. From December 29, 2003 to January 3, 2004, ESGR, in cooperation with Speedway Children's Charities, led a contingent of NASCAR celebrities, business leaders, and DOD officials on a whirlwind tour that included stops in Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq. The tour served to highlight the critical role employers play in our national defense through their unwavering support of the National Guard and Reserve.

Among the NASCAR family of stars were Mr. Richard Childress, owner Richard Childress Racing, Mr. Jack Roush, owner Roush Racing, and Mr. Jeff Hammond, commentator for FOX Motor Sports. NASCAR drivers included Brendan Gaughan (Nextel Cup), Geoffrey Bodine (Former Winston Cup), Ron Hornaday (Busch Series), Rick Crawford (Craftsman Truck Series), and Tony Liberati, crew chief, Roush Racing.

To further amplify the employer support message, employer representatives included the Honorable Patrick J. Quinn, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois, Mr. Paul Edwards, Miller Brewing Company, Mr. Henry Carrison, DH Griffin Wrecking Company, and Ms. Joyce Reed of Tyson Foods.

DOD representatives included the Acting Chairman of ESGR, Mr. David Janes, and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs, Mr. H.C. Barney" Barnum, Jr. (Medal of Honor Recipient), and Ms. Karen I. McKenney, Principal Director for Readiness, Training & Mobilization, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.

During the course of the 6-day tour, participants visited hundreds of coalition troops, signed autographs, extolled the importance of employer support, and expressed their appreciation to service members for their contributions to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

ESGR is a Department of Defence agency whose mission is to gain and maintain employer support from all public and private employers for the men and women who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR operates through a network of more than 2,000 volunteers throughout 55 committees located in each state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Europe.

For more information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 800-336-4590 of visit our website at www.esgr.com.