Former NASCAR Crew Chief, Friends Plan Appreciation Day For Troops

[PressRoom-GFN]

CORNELIUS, N.C. (May 14, 2008) -- Cliff Champion, the owner of Championship Yacht Charters and a former NASCAR crew chief, and several friends have joined with the USO to provide an Appreciation Day for members of the Armed Forces on Lake Norman.

On Armed Forces Day – May 17 – Marines from Camp Lejeune and Army personnel from Fort Bragg and Fort Jackson will gather in Cornelius throughout the day to cruise Lake Norman, tour Michael Waltrip Racing and race Go-Karts at Extreme Toys Speed Park.

Anyone wishing to meet the troops and thank them for their service can stop by Midtown Sundries at 18665 Harbor Side Dr. in Cornelius, just off Catawba Avenue, throughout the day. The first charter tour begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the last one scheduled to depart from Midtown Sundries at 7 p.m. Lake Norman residents between Midtown and The Peninsula Yacht Club who would like to show their appreciation to the Armed Forces can do so by hanging flags or signs on their docks.

Celebrities from various professions will join the troops on each two-hour, catered cruise.

“We tend to get so busy with what's going on in our lives that we often forget the men and the women who are giving their lives to protect us and this country so we have the freedom to do what we want to do,” Champion said. “Since I can't go to Iraq or Afghanistan, I wanted to do something for our troops to show them how much we appreciate them. When I began talking with several friends about it, they liked the idea and wanted to help. The result was Armed Forces Appreciation Day.”

Al Steiner, vice president of the USO of North Carolina, said, “The USO of North Carolina is honored to be able to help Mr. Champion and friends with this event. It seems every time I talk with Cliff the plans get bigger and that’s wonderful.

“We’ve been able to arrange busses of service members from across the state [North Carolina] and from Fort Jackson in South Carolina to join the community on Lake Norman. It’s a real honor to be part of this kind of recognition for our troops and I am touched by the overwhelming support we’ve seen as we prepare for the weekend.

“The USO of North Carolina wants to express our gratitude to Cliff Champion and his friends, as well as the community around Lake Norman for their efforts in recognizing these warriors and giving them a day to relax and enjoy the hospitality.

“Our thanks also to the Single Marine program at Camp Lejeune, BOSS program at Fort Jackson and Fort Bragg, the Wounded Warrior program and the Warrior Transition Unit. We thank the leadership of these groups and the support of the commands around the state that makes these events happen. “

USO
The mission of the USO is to enhance the quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families worldwide and to create a cooperative relationship between U.S. military communities and involved or supporting civilian communities. We thank LC Industries and Marine Federal Credit Union for their support and belief in our mission! The USO of NC is an IRS 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Fed ID #56-0532315. All donations are tax deductible.

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