Notes Shared with The NTL Board Members:

 

From :  <Stick47@aol.com>
Sent :  Monday, June 6, 2005 10:03 AM
To :  NTL Board Members
Subject :  Jimmy Dunham

Nice letter from one very appreciative wish recipient.

Truly one of the most rewarding wishes NTL has been associated with over the last five years. Not only was Jimmy's life impacted in a special way at age 93, but when you factor in his son Bruce at age 64 and grandson Brad at age 35, this is a legacy-making wish for generations of Dunhams still to come if there ever was one!


Bob

 

Dear Bob,

My old friend. Truly Bob it seems like I have known you all of my life, of course that can't be, that would make you as old as I am. I had only known you for ten days by phone when I met you in person. To have you call me out of a clear blue sky and tell me my dream wish to go back to the Indy 500 race track with my son Bruce and grandson Brad to see the great race again after seventy years when I was in the winning car in 1935 was truly a dream come true.

In only eight days you had put together an impossible task, working with Josh Laycock of Indy in finding so many wonderful caring people who wanted to help with the financing in order to make my dream come true. There was all the beautiful accommodations, all of the wonderful festivities and then there was the great 500 Festival Parade. 

There was your Partner Jim Lund who managed to secure tickets for my son and grandson to view the parade from the grandstand. Then Jim arranged for the American Senior Communities to seat me on the Senior Health Care Float. What a great experience that was to be so honored, to ride on such a float in such a great important parade, to see and wave to the wonderful crowds of Indianapolis people. 

Next came Carburetion day, seeing all the drivers, being taken down into the pit area and introduced to the pit crew of what turned out to be the winning car, Number 26 Dan Weldon. To have the pit crew come and thank me after the race for wishing them good luck, that meant a lot to me. 

After that came a ride around the track, a ride that was smooth as glass, quite different than the ride I had on the old bricks. Next came the great Indy 500 Race, what a thrill that was to be able to view the most exciting race I have ever seen and to see all of this with my son Bruce and grandson Brad was something I shall treasure the rest of my life and I know they will remember every little detail and relive it again and again. 

Josh Laycock had arranged for us to see and do many things including many interviews. There was a lady escort with us at all times to see and guide us the days we were at the track. The next day we were at the track museum for interviews with Donald Davidson the historian and the viewing of a lot of old race cars. That night we attended the Indy 500 Race Banquet. 

The rest of the day we were with you Bob. My visit and interview with the students at the Warren School will always be a very memorable one, it was great to be with them, it was great autographing the great T-Shirts with my race car logo, it was very thrilling. The dinner afterwards with you and all the rest was great. The mayors office presenting me with the keys to the city and the Honorary Citizen of the City Of Indianapolis certificate is an honor I shall cherish forever. Maybe I am a Hoosier now.

Bob, I shall never forget what you and your great foundation have done for me. You are a most amazing man who works many long hours for the good of others. I shall be your friend for life. May God Bless you and your work for Him forever and forever.

Your friend,

Jimmy Dunham