News & Multimedia

Hunter-Reay Salutes Military Support by Dole, Hanks with Special Helmet Presentation

May 22, 2019 | By Ethan Schwartz, Indianapolis Motor Speedway

2012 NTT IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay joined Senator Elizabeth Dole and actor Tom Hanks on stage during a conference for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign on Wednesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, presenting helmets signed by all 33 drivers in the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge to Dole and Hanks for their outspoken support of America’s veterans and their families.

2014 Indianapolis 500 winner Hunter-Reay, who drives the No. 28 DHL Honda fielded by Andretti Autosport, expressed his support for the Hidden Heroes Campaign and for the work of Dole and Hanks in supporting America’s military families.

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation was formed in 2012 and is dedicated to helping caregivers of “wounded warriors.” Dole was the Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan and the Secretary of Labor under President George H.W. Bush. The Hidden Heroes Campaign brings attention to the untold stories of military caregivers in the hope to find solutions to the numerous issues they face while caring for America’s veterans.

Multi-Academy Award winner Hanks is a longtime supporter of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. He is the Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign chair and uses his voice to bring awareness to the difficulties faced by 5.5 million military caregivers across the United States.

Hanks will join Hidden Heroes Ambassador Savannah Guthrie in hosting a special edition of NBC’s “TODAY” show broadcast live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 23. This broadcast will host an audience comprised of military families and their caregivers in support of the Hidden Heroes Campaign. Watch this special-edition broadcast of “TODAY” from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 8 a.m.