By now you've seen the barrage of Facebook and Twitter updates (if not, shame on you!) about Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas two weekends ago. At that event, Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson, auctioned off one of his prized possessions - a stunning 1964 Ford Fairlane - to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. That day we watched the sale price of the Fairlane edge higher and higher, fueled by a bidding war between NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick and businessman and collector Ron Pratte. In the end Mr. Pratte's jaw-dropping bid of $700,000 won, leaving those of us at the AFF speechless. Things only got better when Mr. Pratte then announced he would be donating the car back to Barrett-Jackson to go on the auction block for the Foundation at the January auction in Scottsdale.

"I truly am speechless," said Patricia Driscoll, President of the Armed Forces Foundation. "When I think about what these people are willing to do for us in support of our troops, it really reenergizes us and allows ...

We often say at the Armed Forces Foundation that families serve too. Just as the military man or woman fighting overseas sacrifices for his or her country, so does the wife or child, mother or father waiting behind for their loved one to return safely home. We realize that these deployments place enormous stress on the military family. Wives or husbands become single parents, and the soldier serving overseas often misses important moments in a child's life. Marital relations become strained due to miscommunication or a lack thereof. Luckily, today's technology allows families to bridge that divide, if only a little. As part of our ongoing efforts to promote the welfare of the military family, the Armed Forces Foundation recently partnered, for the second year in a row, with Aaron's Inc. and HP on a computer giveaway in Fayetteville, NC for Army Special Forces families based on Fort Bragg.

Last Wednesday, August 17, Aaron's donated 50 pairs of HP computers to 50 Fort Bragg families. ...

A couple months ago, I attended a meeting on Capitol Hill as part of an internship with Reperesentative Walter Jones. After the meeting, I found myself in conversation with a colleague who mentioned that the Armed Forces Foundation was looking for a new Director of Operations and that I should look into it. Having nothing else to do at the time, I sent my resume in and was surprised when James Fenlon called me a few days later wanting to talk to me about the position. Three weeks, two interviews and a few reference calls later, I was surprised again when James called and asked if I wanted to be the new Director of Operations. After making the brilliant and inspiring remark of, "Are you serious?" I immediately accepted the position.

As someone who has spent his career in the defense field, I am very excited to begin this new step. The mission of the AFF is inspiring, and the people who work here are genuninely committed to making a difference in the lives of service members and their ...

Dear supporters,

As some of you may know, I have recently accepted a posting within the Pentagon and will be leaving the Armed Forces Foundation shortly. Writing this post is bittersweet in many ways, as I will be leaving a truly talented and motivated group of individuals. I have been blessed to work with everyone involved with the AFF, from a talented staff, devoted board, patriotic volunteers and countless other supporters. It is safe to say that we have become a very close knit team working to collectively "serve those who serve."

In the past, the AFF has striven to create greater donor and program accountability standards, work on accreditation from various outside organizations and provide more opportunities for service members and their families to participate in activities. With all these efforts coming to fruition, it has proven to be one of the contributing factors to the AFF's flourishing partnerships with Fox Sports, NASCAR and countless supporters. I think it safe to say ...

On this Saturday morning, two weeks before the AFF crew takes another group of wounded troops to Daytona International Speedway for the summer race there, we wanted to post a thank you we received from one of our guests with us at Poconos Raceway. Shawn Ridgway's letter reminds us why we host Troops to the Track and why the support of NASCAR and the racing community at large means so much to us and our troops.

Remember though that we began Troops to the Track as just a small way to say thank you to those who have given so much in the service of our country. Though it means so much to us to receive these thank you letters and know that those we serve appreciate our efforts, the most deserved thanks goes out to Shawn and the rest of our troops. So please take a moment today or in the week ahead to thank a soldier or veteran for their sacrifices in support of our freedom!

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