MOTOR SPORTS

NASCAR to honor Cpl. Cody Putman of Lafayette at the Coca-Cola 600

Andrew Hussey
IndyStar
Cpl. Cody Putman was killed in the line of duty in Iraq in 2007. He will be honored at Sunday's Coca-Cola 600.

Memorial Day is a time for honoring fallen members of the military. One Hoosier who will be remembered this weekend is Cpl. Cody Putman of Lafayette who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

He will be honored in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 by having his name in the windshield of NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez. As Putman is one of 40 soldiers to be honored Sunday, Putnam’s mother, Pam Mow, and step-father, Larry Mow, will be in attendance for the race. 

“Anytime, especially in a venue like this, that they honor our fallen soldiers, especially to a parent, is really an honor because that way we know our sons and daughters are not being forgotten,” Pam Mow said. “I’m deeply touched that I received the call.”

NASCAR is calling the race “600 Miles of Remembrance.” For the Mows, this isn’t their first NASCAR race as they have been to the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in years past and have also been honored at the Indianapolis 500. 

They said they are very excited for the chance to attend the race and go through all the festivities surrounding the race.

“We’re very excited,” Mow said. “It’s probably one of these once in a lifetime opportunities.” 

Flanked by mayors John Dennis, left, of West Lafayette, and Tony Roswarski of Lafayette, Gold Star Mother Pam Mow becomes emotional as she announces Tuesday that the Honor Flight will come to a end after the final flight in 2018. Mow?s son, Cody Putnam, died in 2007 in Iraq. John Terhune/Journal & Courier Flanked by mayors John Dennis, left, of West Lafayette, and Tony Roswarski of Lafayette, Gold Star Mother Pam Mow becomes emotional as she announces Tuesday, March 6, 2018, that the Honor Flight will come to a end after the final flight in 2018. "It's just time to end this noble effort," said Mow. A total of four Honor Flights will take place in 2018. Mow's son, Cody Putnam, died in 2007 in Iraq.

NASCAR’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer Jill Gregory added: “Replacing the car windshield headers with the names of fallen service members during one of our sport’s biggest races we feel is a unique way to honor their memories.

“It will be an emotional weekend for everyone. For family members in the past, it’s given them immense feelings of pride to see their loved ones honored and remembered in this way.”

For Pam Mow, she talked about how cool this experience will be, especially since it is occurring during Memorial Day weekend. 

She said it’s important to remember veterans. 

“Whether it’s a living veteran or a fallen veteran, veterans play such an essential part of our lives and how our lives are driven forward,” Pam Mow said. “I’m deeply honored. My son died 11 years ago and it just proves that he’s not forgotten.”