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600 Miles of Remembrance

External News Wire | 05/24/15

Honor and Remember

SGT Cory R. Mracek (mir – a –check)

US ARMY

Born: March 16, 1977 Chadron, NE

Died: January 27, 2004 - KIA Iraq

NASCAR is proud to honor fallen service members and their families with 600 Miles of Remembrance, a special tribute during the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend. For the Coca-Cola 600, the driver names on NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race cars will be replaced with the names of U.S. military members that have sacrificed dearly in service to their country. 600 Miles of Remembrance is part of NASCAR: An American Salute, an industry-wide tribute to show respect and appreciation for our veterans and active military members. Kevin and the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing team were selected to honor SGT Cory R. Mracek who paid the ultimate price for his county in 2004. 

Cory R. Mracek was born on March 16, 1977 in Chadron, NE to Pat and Jim Mracek. Cory graduated from Hay Springs High School in May 1995. He attended Chadron State College for a semester and then joined the National Guard. Shortly after graduating Basic Training, he joined the Army and went to Korea for a year. He then went to FT Campbell, KY for three years. He came home and worked at Walmart for 1 ½ years. After 9/11 he re-upped and went back to Korea for a year and a half. His lifelong dream was to become a paratrooper and in November 2003 he realized that dream. He was sent to Iraq in January 2004 with the 82nd Airborne where he spent two days in Turkey and 8 days later he was killed by an IED. His nickname with the 82nd in the short time he was with them was SGT Morale Check. He loved to laugh, loved his country and was proud to serve. He left behind his parents, Jim and Pat and sisters Stacy and Heather.


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