MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — From two different eras of serving in the military, Middle Tennessee State University alumni Charles Strasser and Michael Kenney were thrilled and amazed to see their names placed on a Ford F-350 truck outside Keathley University Center.
The patriotically themed truck, driven to campus Thursday, June 27, from Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center partner Nashville Superspeedway, contained 130 more names of veterans who served their country on top of an image of the U.S. flag stretching the length of the truck.
The truck will be featured in the track’s Fan Zone Friday through Sunday, June 28-30, adjacent to the Daniels Center’s tent for the NASCAR Ally 400 race weekend events that include the Rackley Roofing 200 on Friday in Gladeville, just off I-840. For more details and ticket information, visit https://www.nashvillesuperspeedway.com.
“It’s pretty exciting (to see my name),” said Strasser, 76, of Arrington, a 1970 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. He served as a Specialist 4 (ordnance instructor) in the U.S. Army from 1970-72 at the Aberdeen, Maryland, Proving Ground. “I don’t think that’s ever happened to me.”
Strasser attended the campus truck unveiling with his wife, Sara, and their son, Chad Strasser, a 2001 MTSU graduate in aerospace maintenance management and current U.S. Army staff sergeant. Charlie Strasser retired as general manager with the Nolensville Utility District in 2015.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee was joined by Keith M. Huber, retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Arlin Wilsher, the MTSU Military Science Department chair, and other university representatives at the unveiling.
“This is a visual reminder of patriotism, service and sacrifice,” said Huber, who served nearly four decades. “The NASCAR concept fits in so well with military service from the perspective that success is a team effort.”
Added McPhee: “Our university is thrilled to be able to partner with such visible community partners like Nashville Superspeedway through the Daniels Center, which continues to provide veterans and their families with the crucial support services that lead to academic, personal and professional success.”
Nashville resident Kenney, 33, a 2017 graduate with a bachelor’s in exercise science, has spent 12 years in the U.S. Marine Corps reserves.
“I love it,” Kenney said of the truck. “It’s definitely a great way to commemorate service members and who doesn’t like seeing their name on a truck, meet other veterans from the community and do a little networking.”
Kenney attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, with Colton Key, the son of Rod Key, an MTSU alum who is the military career adviser for the MTSU Career Center.
A territory sales representative with Workwear Outfitters, Kenney said when he was about to attend MTSU, the Daniels Center “helped me understand the educational benefits you receive and how you utilize them.”
MTSU and the Daniels Center will be front and center for all three days of the racing weekend at the Superspeedway.
On Friday, before the Rackley Roofing 200 truck race, Huber will serve as the honorary track official, the MTSU Army ROTC Color Guard will take part in the opening ceremony and a team of veterans organized by the Daniels Center will unfurl a large American flag in the infield.
On Sunday, Huber will speak at 10 a.m. from the Fan Zone’s concert stage, just outside of the main gate, about the Daniels Center. And, for all three days, the Daniels Center will be mentioned as part of the track’s recognition of active duty and veteran troops and have an information booth in the Fan Zone.
The MTSU veterans center, located in Rooms 126 and 316 of the Keathley University Center, supports 1,100 MTSU student-veterans and family members, and others who might inquire. To learn more, call 615-904-8347 or visit https://www.mtsu.edu/military/.
— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)
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