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Dale Earnhardt Jr. hosted a "welcome home" tribute to soldiers in the Charlotte area who returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan Saturday at JR Motorsports, his Busch series headquarters and fan superstore in Talbert Business Park, on Talbert Road off NC 150 near I-77 Exit 36. The event, held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., featured information on VA health care eligibility enrollment, service compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education and employment. Free race shop tours were also offered to veterans and their families. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

David Blunkall, a Sgt. in the Army Infantry in Iraq who returned home in 2007, gives son Nathan Blunkall, 4, a closeup look at the interior of a Dale Earnhardt Jr. racecar on display at Saturday's "Welcome Home" tribute to veterans. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Nathan Blunkall, 4, enjoys the interior of a Dale Earnhardt Jr. racecar on display at Saturday's "Welcome Home" tribute to veterans after being lifted inside by father David Blunkall, a Sgt. in the Army Infantry in Iraq who returned home in 2007. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

David and Sandra Blunkall look over the exhibits with children l-r Nathan, 4, and Jessa, 1, at Saturday's "Welcome Home" tribute to veterans. Blunkall, a Sgt. in the Army Infantry in Iraq, returned home in 2007. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Veterans and their families were offered free race shop tours inside JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Bush Series headquarters, during the Earnhardt- hosted "welcome home" tribute to soldiers in the Charlotte area who've returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Veterans and their families were offered free race shop tours inside JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Bush Series headquarters, during the Earnhardt- hosted "welcome home" tribute to soldiers in the Charlotte area who've returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Cadets from the Oak Ridge Military Academy in Oak Ridge, N.C. performed rifle manuevers and presented the colors at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s "welcome home" tribute to soldiers in the Charlotte area who've returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Ethan Freeman, 6, of Mount Airy colors the front of a card to send to the troops at the "A Rose of Thanks" booth at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s "welcome home" tribute. A Rose of Thanks, a nonprofit founded by Matthew T. Hunt of Newell, has sent out over 7,000 cards to troops. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Cpl. Jeff Walton of the U.S. Army National Guard holds son Jacob, 3, as the colors are presented at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s "welcome home" tribute to soldiers in the Charlotte area who've returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Cadets from the Oak Ridge Military Academy in Oak Ridge, N.C. presented the colors at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s "welcome home" tribute to soldiers in the Charlotte area who've returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

The crowd pledges allegiance during the presentation of colors during Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s "welcome home" tribute for veterans. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

The crowd pledges allegiance during the presentation of colors at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s "welcome home" tribute for veterans at JR Motorsports. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com