Patraeus to serve as Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg grand marshal

Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of U. S. Central Command, will be the grand marshal of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 28.

Grand Prix Of St. Petersburg Credit: Grand Prix Of St. Petersburg

Gen. Petraeus will give the traditional command to start the race and will participate in pre-race ceremonies and the awards presentation. Event organizers also are planning a broader program with McDill Air Force Base and area military and their families. Special tickets programs are being developed for active military and their families and the traditional Honda Grand Prix Kick-Off Luncheon, which will be held March 25, will include a special salute to wounded veterans.

"Gen. Petraeus is one of the most respected leaders in the world and it is an honor to have him as the Grand Marshal of the Honda Grand Prix," said Tim Ramsberger, general manager of the event. "There is no one better to give the traditional drivers' command on Sunday of race weekend than Gen. Petraeus."

Before his 2008 appointments as the Commander of Tampa-based U. S. Central Command, Gen. Petraeus was the Commanding General of the Multi-National Force-Iraq, where he oversaw all coalition forces in the country. A recipient of countless honors and awards, Gen. Petraeus was named near the top of Foreign Policy Magazine's "Top Global Thinkers" in 2009 and last October Esquire magazine tabbed him as one of "The 75 Best People in the World."

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