Photo Credit: Front Row Motorsports
Landon Cassill’s No.38 Front Row Motorsports team will pay tribute to a fallen World War I soldier during Sunday’s running of the Coca Cola 600.
Pvt. Earl Platt, a WWI Army infantryman who fought in two of the great battles of WWI will have his name at the top of the windshield of Cassill’s No.38 Ford. Platt was the great uncle of Gwen Bartley, the wife of Front Row Motorsports suspension mechanic and U.S. Air Force veteran Kurt Bartley.
Platt originally from Vestaburg, MI served in the U.S. Army from 1917 to 1918. He fought in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, which was the largest offensive in U.S. military history.
Platt’s family often times tell stories of his bravery in the heat of WWI’s battles. His years of combat saw him be exposed to mustard gas. Platt died as a result of the effects of the poison shortly after returning home from the war.
Landon Cassill says its an honor carrying Platt’s name on his car for Sunday night’s race.
“When you hear stories about military heroes like Pvt. Platt, it really makes you stop and think about some of the things these soldiers went through and really appreciate the sacrifices they made for their country,” Cassill said. “Knowing that there is a Front Row Motorsports family connection to the name on the windshield makes it even more special and an even greater honor.”
