FREELAND -- NASCAR has chosen to remember fallen servicemen and women on Memorial Day by putting their names on car windshields.
The name Master Sergeant Paul Karpowich is familiar to many in Freeland. The name appears on a trail in the borough's park with a memorial nearby.
There is no shortage of ways people there try to honor the Freeland native, hometown hero, killed in 2004 while serving in Iraq.
Karpowich will now be nationally recognized as NASCAR driver Tony Stewart honors him this Memorial Day weekend.
The recognition is a surprise for friends and family.
"It's great. It's wonderful. I am glad they are doing something like that for Paul," said Philip Voistock, a Karpowich family friend.
Karpovich's name will go from being etched on memorials in Freeland to being viewed by millions in the national spotlight. It will be on Tony Stewart's car as he races in this weekend's Coca-Cola 600.
"It's just amazing what they are going to do, not only for my son, but for all the other soldiers," said Paul's father, Richard Karpowich.
NASCAR sent him a picture, giving the family an early peek at what his son's name will look like on the three-time Sprint Cup champion's car.
When people see that name, come race day, this is what the family wants millions to know about Paul.
"That he was a good man," said Voistock, adding that he was proud to serve his country. "He was a soldier. To be promoted to master sergeant at the age of 30, that's unheard of."
In all, 40 Sprint Cup Series drivers will honor fallen service members from all over the country in the NASCAR race this Memorial Day weekend in North Carolina.
