Medal of Honor Recipients To Be Honored At Coke Zero 400

Melvin Morris OF BREVARD AMONG HONOREES

ABOVE VIDEO: Melvin Morris of Cocoa was among 24 Army veterans that President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor last March.

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – During the upcoming Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola on July 3-5, Daytona International Speedway will pay tribute to four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, including Melvin Morris of Brevard County.

MORRIS-MELVIN-435-22
During the upcoming Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola on July 3-5, Daytona International Speedway will pay tribute to four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, including Melvin Morris of Brevard County.

The Medal of Honor recipients, all from the Vietnam War, are:

• Don Jenkins, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
• Melvin Morris, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
• Gary Littrell, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army
• Robert Patterson, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army

For complete biographies on the four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, visit CMOHS.org

PROGRAM STARTED BY BILL FRANCE, SR.

This is the sixth consecutive year that the Speedway has honored Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The program actually started back in the 1970s by Bill France Sr.

Joie Chitwood III
Joie Chitwood III

“We’re honored to host and salute these four Medal of Honor recipients during the Coke Zero 400 Weekend,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said.

“These four individuals have been recognized with our nation’s highest military honor for their heroic actions in combat and we look forward to honoring them during our Independence Day holiday weekend.”

All four Medal of Honor recipients will be recognized during a special luncheon on Friday at the Bill France Room, will attend driver’s meetings and participate in pre-race ceremonies for both the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday night, July 4 and the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday night, July 5.

Melvin Morris of Cocoa was among 24 Army veterans that President Barack Obama awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor last March. (U.S. Army image)
Melvin Morris of Cocoa was among 24 Army veterans that President Barack Obama awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor last March. (U.S. Army image)

During Saturday’s 56th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola, a special salute will take place for the four Medal of Honor recipients during pre-race ceremonies.

In addition, the four Medal of Honor recipients will take part in an autograph session with race fans in the Sprint FANZONE on Saturday prior to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola.

RELATED: Melvin Morris of Cocoa Receives Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It’s bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.

The stars of NASCAR return to Daytona International Speedway on July 3-5. Tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com.