2012 Washington Auto Show to Present Special Tribute to the Troops! Tues. Jan. 31

2012 Washington Auto Show to Present Special Tribute to the Troops! Tues. Jan. 31

In honor of the dedicated service of U.S. troops who are abroad and in harms way, The Washington Auto Show (WAS) will present a Special Tribute to the Troops on Tues, Jan. 31, 2012.

The WAS, produced by the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association will offer free admission for all active-duty military coming out and presenting a military ID on Auto Show Tuesday. At 6 pm that evening, a special Veterans Reception and Press Conference will feature celebrity guests, musical entertainment and information from automakers about vehicle discounts and career tracks for military personnel. A featured non-profit partner of the celebration is the USO of Metropolitan Washington.

This Special Tribute will include evening appearances by former U.S. Marine and WWE Legend Sgt. Slaughter and J.R. Martinez, the latest winner of “Dancing with the Stars.” Martinez, a former U.S. Army infantryman who was wounded in Iraq, has visited the troops overseas on a consistent basis. Hi svisit is sponsored in part by Toyota Motor Sales. Also that evening, The Washington Auto Show will host a performance by the world-class Downrange pop ensemble from the U.S. Army Band, a.k.a. “Pershing’s Own.

The group gets its name from its evolution, when volunteer performers joined then-Sergeant Major of the Army Jack L. Tilley on his 2002 Hope and Freedom Tour in Southwest Asia. These volunteers were the first members of Pershings Own to go downrange into a theater of foreign combat operations since World War II.

The auto industry has long been a stalwart supporter of our military, said Robert Fogarty, chairman of The Washington Auto Show of Sport Chevrolet/Honda. We are truly honored to give back to our courageous servicemen and women with a celebratory day in their honor at the show where they can see firsthand the many OEM vehicle purchase programs and career opportunities.

Automakers will provide information about the specific opportunities they are making available to military at their Auto Show exhibits.

For more information and a detailed schedule of the Special Tribute to the Troops, please visit: www.washingtonautoshow.com.