Red Tags topple the Dark Side Published Sept. 8, 2011 By Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- With the bases loaded, Dan Kenney stepped up to the plate and smashed a game-winning single to help the Fightin' Red Tags snatch victory from the Dark Side, 13-12 in the 5th Annual Jovanovich Cup Aug. 13. "It was a hard fight," said Kenney about the softball game. "It really came down to the wire; the score was 11-12 when I went to bat in the bottom of the seventh. "All the guys on the bases really set the table for me; we scored two runs before I went to bat," he explained. "The bases were loaded, I hit a hard ground ball to the right side, and we took the game 13-12." Every year the members from the 72nd Air Refueling Squadron, the Dark Side, and 74th ARS, the Red Tags, meet on the field of play, dressed in their teams' colors. Some even adorn themselves in eccentric costumes and accessories. "It's a tradition, it keeps a light atmosphere, and keeps it fun and interesting," said Kenney. "It's a really competitive game; we keep it fun and remember why we have the game every year." The friendly competition is held in remembrance of Lt. Col. George Jovanovich who died in a car accident in March of 2006. Jovanovich was a plans officer with the 434th Operations Support Squadron. Family and friends of the players came out, watched the game and enjoyed a cookout as they cheered on their favorite team and remembered a good friend. To the winning team goes the spoils of not just a trophy but bragging rights until next battle of the Jovanovich Cup in 2012. The 72nd ARS, 74th ARS and 434th OSS are all part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker in the Air Force Reserve Command. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
