As Memorial Day weekend unfolds, an El Paso soldier will be honored during NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway.
As part of the 600 Miles of Remembrance program, where NASCAR and its Cup Series teams take part, the names of fallen service members will be placed on cars in the race. That includes El Paso native 1st Sgt. Glenn L. Harris on the 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek.
When will the Coca-Cola 600 take place?
The race will take place on Sunday, May 24, at 5 p.m. MST at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Where can you watch the Coca-Cola 600?
The 2026 Coca-Cola 600 will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video starting at 4 p.m. MST and on HBO Max, with radio coverage available on SiriusXM and PRN.
Who is 1st Sgt. Glenn L. Harris?
Harris served 16 years, from 1978 to 1994, concluding his career as First Sergeant of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and passed away on Dec. 4, 1994.
A 1979 U.S. Army Ranger School graduate with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, he went on to serve in Alpha Company. He also helped train future rangers with the 3rd Ranger Company, Student Brigade and the 4th Ranger Training Battalion.
During Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu, Somalia, Oct. 3-4, 1993, now widely known as Black Hawk Down, he distinguished himself under fire, earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
His awards also include the Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge and Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On Dec. 4, 1994, Harris tragically lost his life during an airborne training exercise at Fort Benning, Georgia. After being one of three to land in the Chattahoochee River, a safety boat reached him first. In his final moments, he directed rescuers to assist the other rangers before him.
Harris is survived by his wife, Sandy, and daughters, Tara and Heather, and is remembered as a devoted husband, father, and leader who put his rangers first.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 to honor El Paso fallen soldier
Reporting by Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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