The Colorado Air National Guard will fly a formation of F-16 Fighting Falcons over community Memorial Day celebrations across the state this holiday weekend to pay tribute to military personnel who died in the line of duty.
The guard will fly F-16C Vipers, also known as Fighting Falcons, military officials said in a news release. F-16s flying in formation symbolize strength, vigilance and respect to fallen service members, officials said.
“Memorial Day flyovers are more than just a display of aerial precision, they are a solemn salute to our fallen heroes,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Jeremiah Tucker, the wing commander of this year’s flyover group, in the news release. “Each pass through the sky honors their bravery and reminds us of the high price paid for our freedom.”
The 140th Wing, led by Tucker, will launch jets from Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora around 10 a.m. Saturday and Monday, the release stated.
On Saturday, the jets will fly over the Colorado Freedom Memorial in Aurora at 10 a.m. after leaving the base and head toward Silverton Town Park, arriving at a time yet to be determined.
On Monday, the jets will fly over nine Memorial Day celebrations, arriving at:
Greeley’s Linn Grove Cemetery around 10:30 a.m.
Parker’s Parker Cemetery around 10:35 a.m.
Silver Cliff’s Veterans Memorial Park around 10:50 a.m.
Monte Vista’s Homelake Cemetery around 11 a.m.
Grand Junction’s Western Colorado Veterans Cemetery around 11:15 a.m.
Grand Lake’s Memorial Day Parade around 11:35 a.m.
Denver’s Fort Logan National Cemetery around 11:40 a.m.
Thornton’s Olinger Highland Cemetery around 11:50 a.m.
University of Colorado Boulder’s Folsom Stadium around 12:07 p.m.
These times are estimates and could be canceled due to weather, military officials said.
The planes may also be seen between these locations as they transition from one Memorial Day celebration to the next.
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