Grissom Airmen march in 102nd Indy 500 Published May 29, 2018 By Staff Sgt. Katrina Heikkinen 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Blurs of red, white and blue stretched for 2.5 miles as thousands of attendees filled the stands at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Record high temperatures didn't deter attendance, nor the roars of excitement as over 200 service members from the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force marched in formation down pit lane during the pre-race ceremony of the 102nd Indianapolis 500 May 27.Nearly 20 Grissom Airmen participated in both the military formation march and the Indy 500 Festival Parade, held the day prior.For Master Sgt. Kenneth Knight, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, a lifelong Indy 500 fan who has attended the last 20 races, this year was particularly special for him."This is not only the first time volunteering to march in the Indianapolis 500, but I get to do it with my son," he said.Knight's step-son, Airman 1st Class London Ledezma, electronic warfare technician, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, took leave so that he could participate in the event with his father."Not only do we get to spend time together but we get to do it in uniform and continue the Air Force tradition," Knight said.Tech. Sgt. Kyle Bergin, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics technician, and Senior Master Sgt. Todd Moore, 434th Maintenance Squadron inspection section flight chief, participated in the Indy 500 Festival Parade - a first for both of them.“Participating in these events – held on Memorial Day weekend – made me feel both proud to showcase the Air Force heritage and grateful as I thought about countless service members who sacrificed their lives for the United States,” Bergin said. “Knowing that Hoosiers support the Air Force and military makes me proud to wear the uniform.”A Farmland, Indiana native, Moore says he is a life-long Indy 500 fan.“I absolutely love the Indy 500 – this year will be the 28th time I’ve attended,” he said. “But this year is the first time I’ve ever been a part of it.”The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
