Racer brothers fare well at area speedway

Two Bloomfield brothers and another local stock car racer are off to good starts this season at a popular area track.

Justin Porter, a 1998 Bloomfield High School grad, won the bomber feature at Paragon Speedway in Morgan County on April 25.

The race was full of plenty of thrills.

Porter ran three wide several times along with Brent Cahill, also from Bloomfield, and Bobby Gardner of Ellettsville. Cahill finished runner-up to his fellow Greene County racer.

Porter's younger brother, Chris Babcock, 18, and a senior at Bloomfield-Jr./Sr. High School, won one of the two non-winged sprint car features on the same night.

The Porter-Babcock boys are making a name for themselves at the track.

Justin also won the bomber points championship last year at Paragon including two feature wins.

The Bloomfield racers are the sons of Bill and Debbie Babcock.

If any local racing fans would like to show their support, for these two drivers, Paragon will resume weekly racing tonight.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. while grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Racing starts at 7:30.

To find out more about Paragon Speedway go to its Web site at http://www.paragonspeedway.com/main.htm

National Guard recruiting up

National Guard units throughout the country are surpassing their recruiting goals, boasted by improved bonuses and a downswing in the economy has stimulated recruiting efforts.

After years spent scraping for recruits, the Army National Guard has a surplus of soldiers across the nation.

National Guard members respond to emergencies in the USA and serve combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

USA Today had a special report in Friday's edition that stated the reason for the growth may be as much pocketbook as it is patriotism.

"In this faltering economy, National Guard benefits that include monetary bonuses and tuition assistance are reeling in applicants, recruiters and recruits say," the story stated.

A $10,000 sign-up bonus is offered and the federal government provides up to $4,500 annually to help National Guard soldiers pay tuition and fees at accredited institutions.

With a 10 percent jobless rate in Indiana, the National Guard is at 107.2 percent recruiting levels in 2009, according to the USA Today report.

The National Guard traces its unbroken history and lineage back to 1636, older than the nation itself. Volunteer militia regiments on the eastern seaboard had been in existence for over 140 years and had participated in six military campaigns prior to the Revolutionary War, in which they fought side-by-side with the newly formed Continental Army.

The Indiana National Guard has an unbroken history and lineage back to 1801 -- also older than the state itself. Volunteer militia companies were organized initially as protection against marauding Native Americans. Forefathers of today's 151st Infantry Regiment -- with a unit based in Linton -- fought with Gen. William Henry Harrison at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 when the great Shawnee Chief, "The Prophet" was defeated.

Our local Company A unit -- the Avengers -- have completed two successful year-long tours of duty in Iraq -- most recently being officially welcomed home as heroes last December.

If you want to know more about what the Indiana National Guard has to offer contact recruiters Staff Sgt. J.D. Wilson (western Greene and Sullivan counties) or Spec. Ricky Raley (eastern Greene County) by calling the Linton Armory at 847-9894.

Don't forget

Mother's Day

Don't forget that Sunday is Mother's Day and our mothers, our wife's or significant others deserve our love and respect on this very special day.

Too many times we don't appreciate what a good thing we had in a mother or the mother to our children until they are no longer with us. Take time to say I love you and tell them you appreciate all the good things they do each and every day.

And just a hint, all mothers do love flowers.

Nick is the assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com or nschneider@gcdailyworld.com .