A race car sponsored by the Indiana National Guard was the first to crash today, 05/23/2009, in the Indianapolis 500, not long after the opening ceremony to honor America's veterans, including a speech by General Craig McKinley, a three-volley salute, and the national anthem sung by a member of Indiana's Guard. The Indiana Guard sponsored two Indy500 race cars, to promote itself, and encourage recruitment, this year. The 1313th Engineer company just deployed to Iraq, after a send-off party at East High School in Columbus, Indiana. Cross post; full text at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8257-SF-Energy-Policy-Examiner~y2009m5d24-Memorial-Day-Weekend-at-the-Indy500-greenhouse-gas-cars-stars--bars