Yesterday was an exciting day for Jeff Kyle, the winner of Crown Royal’s annual “Your Hero’s Name Here” program. “Your Hero’s Name Here” awards the naming rights to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to a deserving hero. Jeff Kyle certainly fits that bill!
Kyle, of Lorena, Texas, was deployed multiple times to Iraq and Africa while serving in the military for eight years. During his time with the 3rd Marine Division, Kyle received the Navy Achievement Medal for leading the first Marine detachment to transport a nuclear submarine through hostile waters.
After leaving the military, Sergeant Kyle has dedicated his life to helping his fellow servicemen and women through his tireless efforts to bring awareness to veterans’ needs. Kyle advocates for veterans across the nation and provides support through his involvement with a handful of organizations.
As the city gears up for an action-packed weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a few key individuals including Track President Doug Boles and Mayor Greg Ballard took time out of their busy schedules to honor one deserving individual, whose name you may recognize if you visit IMS this weekend.
During a special ceremony in downtown Indianapolis, Mayor Ballard proclaimed it “Jeff Kyle Day” in honor of Marine Corps Sergeant Jeff Kyle. After Mayor Ballard delivered the official proclamation to Kyle, the city dyed the canal purple in his honor. It will remain purple throughout the race weekend.
Although Kyle served with the Marines, he says his true service started when he returned from deployment and began working to help fellow veterans. In addition to serving as a board member for the Guardian For Heroes Foundation, Kyle also works extensively with American Valor, the foundation which runs the memorial benefit to honor his brother, CPO and U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.
Kyle will take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience throughout the weekend – meeting NASCAR drivers, touring the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway and waving the green flag for race qualifying, before handing the trophy bearing his name to the race winner in Victory Lane.
Kyle was nominated by the 2014 “Your Hero’s Name Here” race namesake John Wayne Walding.
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