Community Involvement

NH Veterans Home Celebrates NASCAR Day with Brad Leighton
1999 & 2000 NASCAR Camping World East Champion

TILTON, NH – In celebration of the New Hampshire Veterans Home (NHVH) NASCAR Day, the Tarr South Dining Room as well as dining rooms in the Welch Unit and the Life Enhancement Dementia Unit were decorated with scores of colorful balloons and NASCAR memorabilia. NHVH staff sported t-shirts and hats with names, numbers, and images of well-known race car drivers, cars, and teams.

"A lot of our residents really enjoy following the NASCAR races," said Tracy Mertz, LMNA (Licensed Medical Nursing Assistant) II and Tarr South Ward Clerk, who, along with co-workers Lisa Nile, LNA III; Rebecca Ladd, LNA II and Welch Unit Ward Clerk; and Maegan LaDuke, LNA II and Tarr North Ward Clerk, helped organize the event. "The residents have their favorite drivers and enjoy everything about the races, so today’s event was about bringing the spirit of NASCAR racing to the Veterans Home."

A special guest at the NHVH NASCAR lunch was Brad Leighton, one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Grand National Division, Camping World East Series. Leighton is well known for achieving milestones that only some drivers can dream of, but just as important to Veterans Home residents was his colorful, fun-loving personality, obvious talent, and incredible determination.

Leighton spent several hours at the Veterans Home autographing cards and talking with residents and staff. He met several residents who had also driven and repaired race cars, and joked that he could use some of the veterans in his pit crew. Leighton came from humble beginnings, but worked very hard to become a successful competitor on the tough Camping World Series East, then called the Busch East Series. In 1999 he earned the crown jewel of them all: the Championship, and defended that title the following season. Leighton is now second on the list of all-time winners, with 24 victories. His strong performances at New Hampshire International Speedway earned him a remarkable four track championships at the most elite superspeedway on the series schedule. In 2007, Leighton returned to the famed No. 55’s, owned by longtime friends Steve and Peg Griswold and placed second in the New Hampshire International Speedway track championship. He only made three starts, but Leighton was able to post a top-10 finish in all three starts.

Leighton and the NHVH residents enjoyed the visit. He said, "In racing we hear a lot about what makes a champion, but if you look around at the people at the Veterans Home—the residents and staff — I think they’re all champions."

NASCAR Day is just one of many special days at the New Hampshire Veterans Home. Lynn Hilbrunner, Food Service Director, works with the Alternative Dining Committee, the NHVH Therapeutic Recreation staff, and people like Tracy, Lisa, Rebecca, and Maegan to make the events more memorable. "It's a real team effort!" Hilbrunner says. "Creating a menu similar to the one you might have at the racetrack or other sporting event contributes to the experience. Today we served hamburgers, chicken tenders, and steak fries along with assorted drinks and novelty ice cream. Events like NASCAR Day, the World Series, the Superbowl, the Celtics games, the annual Lobster Bake, the Motorcycle Poker Run, summer barbecues, and Oktoberfest give us lots of reasons to celebrate."

The New Hampshire Veterans Home was established in Tilton in 1890 as the Soldier’s Home for Civil War Veterans. One of just four New Hampshire nursing homes to win the 2007 Quality of Life Award from the NH Department of Health & Human Services, the modern facility is home to men and women who have served their country and fellow New Hampshire citizens. The mission of NHVH is to provide high quality, professional long-term care services to the Granite State’s elderly and disabled veterans. NHVH is the only long-term care facility in the Granite State that is dedicated exclusively to veterans.

Brad Leighton Charities