Lebanon Valley Speedway Season Revving Up

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WEST LEBANON, N.Y. -- Sixty-three years of dirt track racing in Upstate New York is something that most national tracks can only hope for.
 
But Lebanon Valley Speedway, the legendary half-mile, high-banked, dirt oval run by Hall of Fame Promoter Howard Commander is set to start another historic year at what racers know as "The Valley of Speed."
 
After another successful 2014 campaign that saw more than $100,000 in point funds go to the division Champions, it is time once again to dig out your favorite team's T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats as the gates to Lebanon Valley are set to open again in a few short weeks.
 
The 2015 schedule of events was released a short while ago, some of its highlights are expected to huge once again this year.
 
Optimistically, two warm-up nights are set for Saturday April 11 and April 18, before the 63rd Season Opener set for April 25 presented by L&M Motors and Sayer’s Auto Wrecking. Though all weekly divisions will be on tap, the marquee Big Block Modifieds will be for "Appearance Points" only since there is a DIRTcar Series Race scheduled on the same date.
 
May 2 will be the lid lifter for the Small Block Modified division, while on May 16 features the fourth annual, $2,000 to win Andrew Sherman Sportsman Cup.
 
May 30 is set for the Big Block Modified Eastern States Qualifier, while on June 6 is the third annual J.C. Flach Modified Memorial Event.
 
Midstate Vintage Modifieds return on June 13, and June 20 sees the return of the ESS Super Sprint Series and the 10th Annual Bubba Tanner 23 Lap Pro Stock Classic.
 
The first mid-week spectacular is set for Tuesday June 30 for the “Eve of Destruction”, a night full of carnage, stunts, School Bus race, Tailor race, and much more.
 
A special 4th of July Celebration will be at the Valley of Speed this year with all fireworks in the sky as well as on the track.
 
Starting Sunday July 12, it’s the annual return of Monster Jam USHRA Summer Nationals for four nights of extreme Monster Jam Action through Wednesday July 15.
 
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series storms the high banks on Sunday, July 26, with a $1,500 to win Small Block Modified feature.
 
Then, on a special night this year, the $17,500 to Win 100 Lap Mr. DIRT Track U.S.A. Super DIRTCar Series Event along with the “King of Dirt” Sportsman Shootout on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
 
The schedule wraps up the points series for Big Block Modifieds and Pro Stocks on Saturday, Sept. 5. Then on Saturday, Sept. 12, the final night of racing and points for Small Block Mods, Sportsman, Purestock, Streetstock and 4 Cylinders.
 
See the entire 2015 Season Schedule by visiting at www.lebanonvalley.com, and click on the “Speedway."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Becomes Purple Heart Community

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town has been home to many veterans and soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service — a new proclamation honors their service and sacrifice.
 
The Select Board signed a proclamation declaring the town a Purple Heart Community, joining communities across the commonwealth to adopt this as a way to honor their local Purple Heart recipients. 
 
"This designation is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a public affirmation of Dalton's respect, gratitude, and enduring commitment to the men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces," Historical Commission co-Chair Deborah Kovacs said at the Select Board meeting Monday night. 
 
The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration that is still awarded to service members, recognizing their sacrifice, courage, and an unwavering devotion to the nation.
 
The Purple Heart originated on Aug. 7, 1782, when Gen. George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit to recognize enlisted soldiers and noncommissioned officers for exceptional service during the Revolutionary War. 
 
It fell out of use after the war but was revived in 1932 on Washington's 200th birthday under the leadership of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.  
 
Under the revival, it was still awarded for meritorious service or for combat wounds but during World War II this narrowed to service members wounded or killed as a direct or indirect result of enemy action. That wounds-only standard has remained in place ever since.
 
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