PUEBLO – One of the racecars in this weekend’s 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be sporting a little piece of Pueblo as it speeds around the Brickyard.

Panther Racing’s National Guard Indy Car has two stickers bearing the logo of the Center for American Values (CAV) on the car’s right and left plate capes.

The Chevy turbo racecar is themed the “Soldier of Steel” and will be driven by 2011 Rookie of the Year J.R. Hildebrand who will be starting from 10th position on the inside of the fourth row.

“I’m really happy for all the Panther guys and the National Guard crew to be where we’re at,” Hildebrand said. “And being able to start 10th will be just fine for race day. We worked super hard at this, and everybody on the National Guard crew knows that this weekend is what matters.”

Panther Racing team owner John Barnes recently accepted a position on the CAV Board of Directors. Foundation co-founder and Medal of Honor Recipient Drew Dix will be attending the race and has been invited to speak at a gathering of Fortune 500 executives.

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KOAA

KUSA – History Colorado kicks off a summer of exploration of local and national military history at the History Colorado Center with the opening of “The American Soldier” A Photographic Tribute.”

On view from May 25 through September 2, 2013, this national traveling exhibition features 116 enlarged photographs that capture unforgettable images of American soldiers-beginning on the Civil War battlefields in 1861, when the new medium of photography first documented the grim realities of war, to the War in Iraq.

In the first comprehensive photographic record of the men and women who have risked their lives to protect the United States, this exhibition offers dramatic images that convey the danger and frustration, humor and beauty, victory and loss of soldiering.

“Spanning nine wars, I’ve often wondered what the exhibition photographs have in common,” said exhibition curator Cyma Rubin. “These photographs have power. They have an ability to reach people, to get through, to communicate-each image has a life of its own.”

Rubin, a theater and film producer, director and writer, also curated “Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs.” She is the editor of “The American Soldier” book, available in the museum’s gift shop.

In conjunction with the exhibit, History Colorado Center visitors have a rare opportunity to see a display on loan from the Center for American Values that highlights the four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from the “Home of Heroes,” Pueblo, Colo.

Throughout the summer, visitors can discover Colorado’s unique military history through special programs featuring lectures by military historians; artifacts and photographs from History Colorado’s extensive collections; and activities such as a 10th Mountain Division touch cart and writing letters to Colorado soldiers in Afghanistan. Tours to significant military and historical sites around the state are also offered.

Visit www.HistoryColoradoCenter.org for complete information.

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9 News

PUEBLO, Colo. – “This medal is not for me, it is for the soldiers that did not come back,” a quote under the portrait of Staff Sgt. Leroy Petry, recent Medal of Honor recipient, and the latest service member to have his portrait unveiled in Pueblo, Colo., May 9.

Soldiers of Fort Carson and local residents who attended the ceremony at the Center for American Values interacted with Medal of Honor recipients, toured the facility that features more than 140 portraits of service members who earned the MOH and saw the unveiling of the newest portrait.

“For me what this portrait represents is that I was just a plain old guy, a normal guy,” said Petry. “It was having those good American values and then the Army values which helped build my character and that’s what the portrait represents.”

Perty distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. It was in action, with an armed enemy in the vicinity of the Paktia province, Afghanistan, May 26, 2008. While wounded from enemy fire, Petry, with complete disregard for his own safety, picked up an enemy grenade that landed feet from him and his soldiers. As he released the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist. Despite the severity of his wounds he placed a tourniquet on his wrist and continued to communicate for support via radio.

Petry, who was not able to attend the unveiling due to a back surgery, is currently stationed in Fort Lewis, Wash., and has taken on the task of helping wounded warriors and their families.

Perty said if he can’t go to the fight then he can help the men and their families who are wounded, ill or injured.

Soldiers said they felt honored to attend the event.

“It was a pretty emotional event with three Medal of Honor recipients there,” said Capt. Adam Fullerton, rear detachment commander, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “You could just tell what it meant to those guys and what it meant to the community. I was fortunate to be a part of it.”

Drew Dix, Medal of Honor recipient, spoke to the crowd on the importance of the center.

“When (children) leave here, we know that a few of them are going to take something away from this,” said Dix. “When they spread out to the community and they grow up they are going to help carry the message that we’re trying to create here and encourage.”

Soldiers said they appreciated the support of the community.

“It’s awesome,” said Capt. Matt Anderson, Fort Carson Warrior Transition Battalion. “It depends where you live, but it’s not always as prevalent as you would like it to be. It’s always awesome to have the local community on your side.”

To learn more about the portraits of more than 140 MOH recipients visit the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in downtown Pueblo.

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