2011 THUNDERNATORS ANNOUNCED
2011-04-12The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that Congressional Medal of Honor recipients Hershel "Woody" Williams and Don Jenkins will serve as the official "Thundernators" for the Thunder Over Louisville show, the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies. Williams is a World War II veteran now living in West Virginia; Jenkins is a Vietnam War veteran residing in Quality, Ky. At approximately 9:29 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, Williams and Jenkins 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’re tremendously honored to have these two American heroes serve as Thundernators for the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show," said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. "The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest honor presented by the U.S. military and most were presented posthumously. The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon an individual by the passing of a Joint Resolution in the Congress. These two courageous men have gone well above and beyond the call of duty in serving their country and we couldn’t be more humbled to have them take part in the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies."
The men's appearance at Thunder is a prequel to the annual 2011 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention that will take place in Louisville Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. During that time, Louisville will welcome all 85 living Medal of Honor Recipients. The event marks the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Medal of Honor in 1861 by President Abraham Lincoln.
Thunder Over Louisville - the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies - is one of nearly 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The 2011 Thunder Over Louisville, themed "Thunder Power," is set for Saturday, April 16, and will be the 22nd annual production. The show is sponsored by Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer and UPS.
