445th Airlift Wing reservists part of Indy 500 activities

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  More than 30 Airmen from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, including 15 from the 445th Airlift Wing, participated in pre-race activities for the 93rd Indianapolis 500 May 24. More than 1,200 active duty, Guard and Reserve members and their guests from all branches of the Armed Forces took part in the military appreciation day event. 

The Indiana Air National Guard coordinated the event and invited military members to participate, according to Lt. Col. Thomas Kuepper, 445th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. 

"This was part of the Memorial Day celebration the track holds before the race. Some servicemembers marched in formation, while others took part in a flag display and a star display," Colonel Kuepper said. The star display was part of the presentation during the National Anthem and Memorial Day tribute to veterans where the participants held placards that made a "stars and stripes" display on the main stretch of the track. 

Several servicemembers held a large flag in turn one and those who recently returned from a deployment had the opportunity to march down pit road. 

Race fans also had the opportunity to see a multi-service color guard and rifle team, a fly over by the Indiana National Guard, and a combined troop formation of more than 200 military members. Fans also saw those wounded in action ride around the track in the back of pickup trucks. 

"Participating in the Indy 500, the greatest spectacle in racing, was a very humbling experience! It gave me chills marching out on the race track, hearing all the race fans chanting USA, USA, as the military members marched by," Tech. Sgt. Anna Tracy, 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said. "I've never seen so many appreciative/patriotic people in my life!"

"Memorial Day is a time we set aside to think about and honor veterans that have given their lives in previous wars and wars going on today. It's time to think about the sacrifice they made and the freedom they bring us," Colonel Kuepper said.