May 15, 2004
For Immediate Release

Contact
Shauna Fleming, Founder (714) 282-9415 Email: SFleming@AMillionThanks.org
John Michael Montgomery, (Jules Wortman) Maura Mooney/WBR (615) 214-1500
Alice Wax, Executive Director, NMAM (703) 765-8613 Email: nmam@nmam.org
Mr, Gregg Pinick, Principal (714) 998-5151 Ext 602 Email: Pinick@lhsoc.org
Matt Kenseth (Jeffrey Cheatam) (704) 720-4600

Los Angeles Shauna Fleming, 15, the high school freshman who started a national thank you letter campaign six weeks ago for the U.S. military called, “A Million Thanks,” is getting help from some celebrities to reach her goal.

Shauna felt that her campaign needed a boost but she didn’t have any celebrity contacts until a radio DJ named, “Gunner” from WIVK in Knoxville, TN called her for an interview.

Gunner interviewed Shauna and introduced her by phone, to country music artist, John Michael Montgomery, whose song “Letters From Home” is moving up the charts toward the #1 spot. The song was one of her inspirations for the letter campaign.

"John Michael had not heard about my letter campaign for the military, so I talked to him on the phone and told him what I was trying to do. I couldn’t believe it was him,” said Fleming. “We talked about his song and how he feels the same way I do that Americans need to show more appreciation for what our service men and women do to protect our freedom," she added.

The two now plan to make several appearances together giving Shauna the opportunity to tell her story to the artist’s fans. He has her linked on his website too.

John Michael Montgomery isn’t the only one helping Fleming. So is NASCAR.

The last two weekends Fleming has been at two Southern California NASCAR tracks getting fans to write letters at a booth she set up that is manned by her, family members, and fellow students from Orange Lutheran High School where the campaign is run.

“Two weeks ago, I was at California Speedway for the Auto Club 500 race. DeWalt Racing and Roush Racing, Matt Kenseth’s team, allowed me to use part of their display. Matt and his wife came over and wrote a letter and said they’d help promote our campaign,” said Fleming.

Irwindale Speedway, a Southern California NASCAR track held, “A Million Thanks Night” this past weekend, with another one planned this Saturday night. Team OCM, a local NASCAR team put Shauna’s A Million Thanks website address on two of their cars in large letters.

“Having the Winston Cup Champion, Team OCM and two top Speedways on your side is a huge boost for us,” she added.

Even the Department of Defense (DOD) has given her exposure on their website putting her picture standing next to Kenseth’s car on the DOD’s home page. They also have an article on her through the National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM) home page tab.

“With John Michael, NASCAR and the DOD, I think I might be able to hit my goal before summer,” said Fleming with a big smile.

For more information on A MILLION THANKS, go to their website at http://www.NMAM.orgwww.aMillionThanks.org or www.NMAM.org.

Letters of appreciation for the military can be sent to: A Million Thanks c/o Lutheran High School, 2222 N Santiago Blvd, Orange, Ca 92867

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