CJM Racing, America’s Incredible Pizza Co. to honor former Green Beret at Lowe's
America’s Incredible Pizza Co., sponsor of the CJM Racing team and driver Scott Lagasse Jr. in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will honor former U.S. Army Green Beret Osborne “Obie” Oakley this weekend as part of its “Incredible Heroes” program.
Oakley will be honored for his volunteer efforts to aid his military brethren and others over the course of two decades.
Twenty years ago, Oakley and some friends raised $356,000 to build the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Charlotte.
Oakley and the N.C. National Guard's 20th Special Forces Group also helped with recovery efforts after Hurricane Floyd swamped eastern North Carolina in 1999. And three years ago, they did the same in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.
Last year, Oakley helped raise money to send 4,000 pounds of blankets, clothing and school supplies to civilians in Afghanistan.
In April, the U.S. Army awarded Oakley the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, its highest civilian award.
A lot of people say they support the troops, but only put a bumper sticker on their car,” Oakley said. “The troops are doing difficult work and need our active help. They need to know we appreciate them.”
The Incredible Heroes program honors people in the cities where CJM Racing races. The heroes are invited to the race, given pit passes and the chance to watch the race from the pit box.
Nominations for the Incredible Heroes program may be made by email at heroes@incrediblepizza.com or at www.incrediblepizza.com/contests/incredibleheroes.
