Rockford Airfest organizers are looking for nominations for heroes to honor during the 2011 Rockford Airfest airshow. Anyone is free to nominate a current or former military personnel, firefighters, police officers or any other community servant, such as teachers.
Selected heroes will be recognized before and during the airshow activities. The qualify, the nominee should be from the local area and have contributed to the defense of the country or for the 'extraordinary betterment of the community.'
Heroes that are selected will receive complimentary admission (along with one guest) to the airshow, access to the Honoring Heroes Chalet on the flight line as well as VIP Check-In. In addition, they will also be presented with a 'gold' Rockford Airfest challenge coin and the opportunity to meet with the performers and obtain autographs.
To nominate someone you feel is a hero, please complete and return this form (.pdf file). Over 20 heroes have already been nominated for the honors.
Darrin Golden, Greater Rockford Airport Authority commissioner and a former U.S. Naval Aircrewman stated, “While a big draw for the show is the impressive aircraft in the air and on the ground, we also want to focus on the men and women who have served this country. This is particularly important when our military is defending our country in many places overseas. We’re so proud of those who have given to our country and our community, and Rockford AirFest 2011 is about them!”
The airshow is currently scheduled to have 15 civilian and military performers in the skies as well as over 50 aircraft on static display, from airliners to military planes such as the F-18 and A-10 Warthog. To see the list of currently scheduled acts and static display aircraft, you can go to the show website here.
The airshow will be held over two days, June 4th and 5th on the ground of the Rockford International Airport. A map and directions from various parts of the city can be found here. A map of the event ground can also be downloaded here in .pdf form.
Current and retired military service members get free admission, as in years past, to the airshow. Just present your current military ID or DD214 discharge papers along with current photo-id to obtain free admission.
Bharat Puri, acting chairman of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority board of commissioners said, “The community always steps up to support Rockford AirFest and RFD, and now is stepping up to support our many Heroes. When you see our nominated Heroes – and any member of the military or veteran – at AirFest, please give then a personal thank you for their service!”
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