http://independencebowl.org/p-51-mustang-flyover-set-for-kickoff/
In honor of the Tuskegee Airmen being named the recipient of the 2014 Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award, a P-51 Mustang will perform a flyover of Independence Stadium prior to kickoff of the Duck Commander Independence Bowl.
The P-51 Mustang performing the flyover is named “Pecos Bill.” The P-51 is the aircraft most commonly associated with the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black aviators of the United States military. The P-51 Mustangs used by the Tuskegee Airmen were recognizable by the red markings on the tails, which is where the nickname “Red Tails” originated from.
The Spirit of Independence Award has been given out annually at the Independence Bowl after the Sports Foundation directors decided to recognize an outstanding American citizen. The first recipient honored in 1977 was General Omar N. Bradley, the only living five-star general in the United States at that time. The following year, and until his death, General Bradley presented the “Spirit of Independence Award” to his fellow recipients. After his death, the General’s name was added to the award.
Since the award’s inception, this honor has been bestowed upon outstanding American citizens, or organizations, which symbolize the spirit of freedom and independence on which our country was founded. Some past recipients include: John Wayne, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, Wounded Warrior Project® and the Doolittle Raiders.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen at halftime will be two documented original Tuskegee Airmen – Ret. Lt. Calvin Spann and Ret. Staff Sgt. Homer Hogues.
Kickoff for the 2014 Duck Commander Independence Bowl is set for Saturday, Dec. 27 at 2:30 p.m. CT. Tickets to the game can be purchased online by clicking here, or by calling (318) 221-0712.
No comments:
Post a Comment