How the car world salutes military members and marks Veterans Day

Eddie Rickenbacker was one of the pioneers of open-wheel racing, and he later owned Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Sandwiched in between, he was one of America's most celebrated flying aces of World War I.

With prowess on the track and service to his country, the aviator had four starts at Indy and won the Congressional Medal of Honor. He's an early example of the extensive contributions the car world has been credited with in defense of the United States.

Today, Nov. 11, the nation marks Veterans Day, which around the world is known as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day.

Car people mark the occasion in a variety of ways. General Motors is active in the Road to Recovery Conference, which supports wounded veterans, and the company also offers a military discount. The carmaker also participates in the Liberty Project, which provides driving simulators to help wounded vets resume training. CEO Dan Akerson, a former officer who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, and about 3,800 of the company's workers were in the armed forces; an estimated 200 are still active.

In a letter to employees, Akerson said: “The men and women who wear our country's military uniform have assumed an awesome responsibility. They and their families have chosen a path of great meaning and, sometimes, great sacrifice. Our nation owes them our gratitude and respect, which is what Veterans Day is all about.”

Ford recently donated $200,000 to buy seven new vans for the Disabled American Veteran Transportation Network; the automaker has a 90-year relationship with the group. Since 1996, Ford has sent funds for more than 150 vehicles, worth more than $3.5 million. The Blue Oval is also being honored today with an award for its support of the Armed Forces Reserve and the National Guard that will be presented by an admiral.

Toyota will give away a Camry today to a veteran, valued at $23,245, through an Illinois car dealer. Additionally, senior vice president Don Esmond has long been an advocate of veterans' issues and is a former Marine Corp. fighter pilot, earning the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Former GM vice chairman and current Lotus adviser Bob Lutz was a Marine aviator as well.

Chrysler and the UAW are teaming up for a ceremony in suburban Detroit. The Ram brand is also partnering with country rockers the Zac Brown Band in an effort called Letters for Lyrics, which has been under way since May. The goal is to send a million letters to soldiers.

Honda has a nationwide program called For the Troops which sends care packages to personnel in Afghanistan. The packages include items that are hard to find there, such as lip balm, hand lotion and cards.

Mercedes-Benz also often organizes care packages and counts marketing vice president Steve Cannon as a West Point graduate. Infiniti vice president Ben Poore is also a veteran, having served in the Persian Gulf War.

Veterans Day salutes military men and woman from all wars, but it traces its origins to the conclusion of World War I, which ended 92 years ago today. Rickenbacker, a veteran of that war, was one of the first to cross over from cars to service, but he's clearly not the last.

By Greg Migliore