Joel Correll, a United States Marine Corps veteran, and his 15-year son, Jarrett, who lives with cystic fibrosis, received a Father’s Day surprise of a lifetime today at Michigan International Speedway. Joel and Jarrett Correll, along with Jarrett’s mother, were on a VIP tour of the track – or at least that’s what they thought – when Aric Almirola, “The King” Richard Petty and representatives from Operation Homefront and Victory Junction surprised the family with an experience they will not soon forget.
As part of the “tour,” the family was brought to the facility’s media center to listen to a press conference involving Almirola and NASCAR Hall of Famer, Petty. In the middle of the press conference, Almirola called the family to the front. The driver of the famed No. 43 announced that Eckrich, part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, would be providing Jarrett with a week at Victory Junction, a camp founded by the Petty family that hosts children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.
But, the surprises weren’t over yet. “The King” then offered Joel and his son Eckrich crew uniforms and asked them to be a part of the race team on Sunday as special guests of the team, Eckrich and Operation Homefront. Petty and Almirola also informed Joel and Jarrett that they would have their names on the No. 43 Eckrich Ford on Sunday to honor them and help celebrate Father’s Day.
This Father’s Day surprise was a part of “Operation Inspiration,” a campaign launched by Eckrich and Operation Homefront earlier this year to help honor, thank and support the military families who inspire their fellow Americans.
“This is a big surprise for us, something we didn’t expect,” said Jarrett after the surprise. “I love going to camp, it’s a place where I can feel like myself. I never expected anyone to honor us like this, but it’s pretty cool. This will be a great Father’s Day.
“I was just nervous to be called up front,” quipped father Joel. “But, it means a lot to military families to be thought of. Not just our family, but of the families that have come before us and the ones serving now. It’s not something you expect, but it’s something we won’t forget.”
“Today’s surprise was pretty special to be a part of,” said Almirola. “To be able to give back to not just our military members, but to their family members as well is an honor. Victory Junction is a fantastic facility and one that my wife (Janice) and I have spent many days giving our time helping out at. I know Jarrett will have a blast and it’s great that some of the financial commitments that can be associated with camp will be provided for his family.”
Eckrich is providing additional assistance to military families by donating up to $250,000 to Operation Homefront this year through the contribution of five cents from the purchase of specially-marked packages from May 1 through July 4.
“When we first heard about Victory Junction through the Petty family, we knew we wanted to help send a child from a military family there,” said Chuck Gitkin, vice president, marketing, innovation and R&D for the John Morrell Food Group. “The camp has touched so many lives and inspired us, just like Joel, Jarrett and his mother have. We’re honored to give them this Father’s Day experience because it’s well deserved for all of their sacrifice.”
Almirola and the No. 43 Eckrich Ford will race Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. The event will be televised live by TNT and begin at 1 p.m. ET.
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