Indiana Gov. Holcomb: Everyone has the ability to help through ‘Be the One’

For American Legion member Eric J. Holcomb of Publish 510 in Indianapolis, Sunday’s 106th Indianapolis 500 and Memorial Day Weekend have further which means for the person who served within the U.S. Navy.

He’s the governor of Indiana, and Race Day for the Indianapolis 500 is the day when the world involves Indiana.

Followers from all 50 states and from all over the world will attend the huge 250,000-seat Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) to witness one of many world’s best sporting occasions. It’s an occasion that started in 1911 and has survived two World Wars, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, two Gulf Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.

It comes on a weekend when america pays its respects to those that gave their lives in battle defending our freedoms.

It is also a big day for all native Hoosiers, together with Holcomb, who reside for Race Day at IMS.

“I feel the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a method of fixing individuals’s attitudes and perceptions about how we’re capable of rejoice a race as huge as this one,” Holcomb stated.

Indianapolis can be the house of The American Legion Nationwide Headquarters for over 100 years. “I’m pleased with my affiliation with The American Legion and the State of Indiana,” Holcomb stated.

This 12 months’s Indianapolis 500 options The American Legion’s “Be the One” marketing campaign to assist scale back veteran suicide.

“Nothing could possibly be extra necessary than this particular trigger,” Holcomb stated. “We’re seeing so many issues unfold all over the world, and we’re asking people to pack their seabags at a second’s discover and go to locations that we examine after which they arrive again and surprise the way to get assist for what they’ve gone by.

“We’re a state that’s fanatical about serving to our neighbors, our brothers and sisters which have placed on that uniform for us. This can be a method for us to assist them.”

The American Legion is properly represented within the 33-driver beginning lineup. Tony Kanaan is the motive force of the No. 1 American Legion Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing and can begin sixth after qualifying with a four-lap common of 232.372 miles per hour.

Jimmie Johnson is the centerpiece of The American Legion INDYCAR program and can begin the No. 48 Carvana/American Legion Honda twelfth within the race after a four-lap common of 231.264 mph.

“What I’ve realized is how proud I ought to be of my nation,” Kanaan stated. “My fan base right here is fairly huge. Final 12 months with the veterans, it was much more. Since we obtained this partnership with Chip Ganassi and the Legion I’ve realized a lot in regards to the veterans and the way necessary it’s to get the phrase out.

“To me, it’s an honor and an enormous duty. A very powerful factor is to honor the trigger and attempt to assist.”

Holcomb joined The American Legion “years in the past” and is pleased with his relationship.

“It’s a spot of comradery and a spot the place you may swap tales and the man and gal on the opposite aspect of the dialog is aware of the place you might be coming from,” Holcomb defined. “Lots of people in most of the people suppose American Legion Halls are a spot for an inexpensive beer and a cheeseburger and perhaps play some pool. Whereas it’s a place to get a burger, it’s a place the place you realize others have been by one thing just like you or completely different. You get to be taught from each other and share your perspective.

“I by no means had hardship obligation so I’m not pretending to narrate with people which were by a world struggle, however I’m definitely drawn to that surroundings out of respect.

“’Be the One’ – this marketing campaign proves that everybody has the flexibility to assist somebody, virtually an obligation as to if you placed on a uniform or not. That is one other instance of The American Legion, headquartered in Indianapolis, stepping as much as the plate and there couldn’t be a extra necessary trigger. This will begin right here in Indianapolis, Ind.”