2010 THUNDERNATOR NAMED
2010-04-08The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that UPS pilot Brian Duffy, who is founder and President of Honor Flight – Bluegrass Chapter, will serve as the official “Thundernator” for the 2010 Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show. Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that arranges flights for America’s World War Two veterans from the Bluegrass region to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial to honor their service and sacrifices. At approximately 9:29 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, Duffy will provide the Thunder countdown and “zero” ignition to activate the Thunder launch system sequence in the Command Center at the Galt House Hotel.
“We are very honored to have Brian Duffy as this year’s Thundernator,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “World War II veterans are dying at the rate of approximately 1,500 each day, with the average veteran now over 85 years old. These courageous men and women are truly the Greatest Generation in our country’s history. The Thunder Flight organization that Brian represents performs a wonderful service for these individuals who served our country so valiantly.”
Duffy, who is a New York City native, said he founded the Bluegrass Chapter of Honor Flight in late 2007, with its first flight for veterans to Washington, D.C., taking place the following May.
“I got involved because it kind of married the two things I love: aviation and veterans,” said Duffy, a former U.S. Air Force pilot. “We’ve made 11 trips and transported 562 veterans since we were founded. For a lot of them, this is their last hurrah. I’ve heard from many family members that these trips were the catalyst that unlocked (the veterans’) memories and are an important part of their family history. They don’t like to be called heroes; they will all tell you that they were just doing their jobs.”
Duffy said the Honor Flights typically depart Louisville around 7 a.m., with a direct flight on Southwest Airlines to the Baltimore airport. From there, the group of veterans takes a charter bus into Washington, D.C., where they visit the World War II Memorial. Time permitting, the group also visits the Korean War Memorial and the Marine Memorial in Arlington, Va. Following dinner in the area, the veterans fly back to Louisville, where they are greeted by family and friends. To make a donation to the Honor Flight – Bluegrass Chapter, visit www.honorflightbluegrass.org.
Thunder Over Louisville - the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies - is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The 2010 Thunder Over Louisville, themed “Thunder Fever: May Increase Heart Rate,” is set for Saturday, April 17, and will be the 21st annual production. The show is sponsored by E.ON U.S., Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, Meijer and UPS.
