As a United States Marine, Paul Siverson served in Vietnam, Somalia and the Middle East.

“I always wanted to be a Marine. I came for two and stayed for 30. That’s what I tell people,” he told the Palm Beach Post.

As a civilian, he’s been volunteering with a Charlotte nonprofit, NCServes, that assists vets in their transition once they leave the military.

In between this noble calling, he watches some NASCAR. He’s an enormous Earnhardt fan.

As a kind gesture, and to thank him for his decades of service, the Goodyear company gave Siverson and his wife two tickets to this past weekend’s Daytona 500 — the most celebrated event on the American racing calendar.

They also took them up in their famous blimp.

With one major twist: