ARLINGTON, VA (May 8, 2009) –National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) President and CEO Kenny Nowling visited Washington, D.C. May 6, to witness the official retirement ceremony for Lieutenant General Clyde Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard.
“On behalf of everyone at the National Guard ADRL, I want to thank General Vaughn for his many years of service and wish him a long and healthy retirement,” Nowling said following the ceremony at the Army National Guard Readiness Center in nearby Arlington, Virginia.
Lt. Gen. Vaughn was commissioned through the Missouri National Guard Officer Candidate School program in 1974 and has served in a wide variety of command and staff positions as a traditional Guardsman and on active duty, including extensively in Central and South America on several deployed Task Forces. His general officer assignments were as the Deputy Chief of Staff under the G3 of the United States Army, Deputy Director of the Army National Guard, and Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard Matters. He became director of the Army National Guard in June 2005.
Nowling was accompanied by National Guard ADRL Executive Vice President of Operations Jessica Alcoke.
“I can’t begin to describe what an honor it was for us to be invited to this ceremony. General Vaughn has dedicated his life to the service of our country and it’s very humbling even to be in the presence of a man like that. It was truly incredible to see and even feel the tradition that surrounded his official retirement and as fellow Missourians, we felt especially proud,” Nowling said. “It’s a memory I’m sure we’ll both treasure forever.”
Additionally, the National Guard ADRL donated $2,500 in Lt. Gen. Vaughn’s name to Fisher House Foundation, a private-public partnership that donates “comfort homes,” built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers to enable military family members to stay close when loved ones are hospitalized with unexpected illness, disease, or injury.
Also donated to a Fisher House charity auction was the race-worn helmet of National Guard Team Red driver Joshua Hernandez from this year’s initial two National Guard ADRL Pro Extreme races. The helmet, custom painted by Corby Concepts, was autographed by Hernandez.
“Our racing series is blessed to have a partner like the National Guard and being able to contribute in this way is just a small token of our appreciation,” Nowling said. “I never fail to be impressed by what the men and women of the National Guard do every day, but an event like General Vaughn’s retirement ceremony really brings it home to me.”
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