AMERICAN FLAG FROM THUNDER SHOW TO HELP COMMEMORATE 9/11
2011-09-09The American flag flown every year during Thunder Over Louisville - the Kentucky Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies - will be part of this weekend's commemoration of 9/11. Thunder Producer, Wayne Hettinger, has partnered with Mayor Greg Fischer for the "American Freedom" event which will be a full afternoon of honoring all those in uniform. Hettinger's annual "Freedom Walk" event will conclude the day's activities. The event begins at 2 P.M. on Sunday, September 11th on the Great Lawn of Waterfront Park. It is free and open to the public.
"American Freedom" is an official Metro Louisville event and will include:
- a procession of a steel beam from the New York Twin Towers, escorted by Louisville Police, Louisville Firefighters, Louisville EMS and Bagpipers
- remarks by special guests and officials
- the laying of ceremonial wreaths
- a 21 gun salute, Taps, and a flyover by a C-130 from the Kentucky Air National Guard.
- "Flags 4 Vets" will place 25,000 flags on the Great Lawn to spell out U.S.A.
- Following the 2:00 PM ceremony, a Naturalization Ceremony will take place at 3:00 PM.
- The day's activities will conclude with the "Freedom Walk", where the public is invited to help carry the Thunder 60 foot flag, and witness the flag folding ceremony.
The event will be attended by Governor Steve Beshear, Senator Mitch McConnell, Representative John Yarmuth, Brigadier General Michael Dornbush and other local, state and federal officials. Police Chief Robert White and Fire Chief Greg Frederick have taken an active role in planning the event, along with Dr. Neil Richmond of Metro's Emergency Medical Services and the Flags4Vets organization.
