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Churchill To Host Families Of Soldiers Killed During Operation Iraqi Freedom
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 22, 2004) - Among the approximately 250,000
celebrities, dignitaries, horsemen and race fans who will gather at
Churchill Downs to celebrate the 130th renewals of the Kentucky Oaks and
Kentucky Derby on April 30 and May 1, 2004, will be four special
families. Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) ("CDI" or
"Company") will host the families of four soldiers who were killed in
action while serving their country in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
CDI will host the families in conjunction with the Intrepid Fallen
Heroes Fund, a non-profit organization that provides unrestricted
financial grants to the spouses and children of military personal lost
in the performance of their duty. The grants of $10,000 are intended to
help families meet immediate and long-term financial needs. The fund is
currently providing support for families of military personnel lost in
the Iraq and Afghanistan Theaters of Operation. Hundreds of service
personnel have been lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom; more than half of them have left behind spouses and
children.
"Churchill Downs Incorporated recognizes the important
contributions of our servicemen and women in defense of their country,
as well as the burdens borne by military families whose loved ones were
killed while serving their nation," said Thomas H. Meeker, CDI president
and chief executive officer. "Our Company is committed to working with
the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to raise money to support these military
families in their time of need and to raise awareness of their plight.
CDI and its employees around the country appreciate the sacrifices they
have made on our behalf."
The four military families will be CDI's honored guests for the
2004 Kentucky Oaks on Friday, April 30, and the Kentucky Derby on
Saturday, May 1. In addition to enjoying two days at the races, family
members will participate in two special winner's circle presentations.
The Edgewood Stakes on Oaks Day will be dedicated to the Intrepid Fallen
Heroes Fund. Horses entered in the Edgewood will wear special saddle
towels featuring the official Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund logo, and the
families will present the Edgewood trophy to the winning connections in
the winner's circle. Additionally, a portion of the Edgewood purse
money will be donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, with CDI
making a matching contribution. On Derby Day, the families will escort
the garland of roses to the Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle and be
present when the famed floral blanket is draped over the winning horse.
CDI will also provide long-term support for the Intrepid Fallen
Heroes Fund by creating fund-raising opportunities throughout the year
at its stable of racetracks located in Kentucky, California, Florida,
Illinois and Indiana.
"We are grateful to Churchill Downs Incorporated for its
hospitality and generous support of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund,"
said Chelle Pokorney, spokeswoman for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
"The loss of my husband, 1st Lt. Frederick Pokorney, was incredibly
difficult for my 3-year-old daughter, Taylor, and me. Serving his
country as a Marine meant the world to Fred, and I am so thankful that
companies such as CDI have stepped forward to help the Intrepid Fallen
Heroes Fund and the thousands of military families that face financial
crises after the loss of a soldier. We appreciate the opportunity to
attend horse racing's most celebrated racing events and to share our
stories with our fellow Americans."
"The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund provides immediate cash grants
to American families who make the ultimate sacrifice - losing a loved
one in defense of our country," said Bill White, president of the
non-profit organization. "Our fund-raising efforts are entirely
dependent on private and individual contributions. One-hundred percent
of the monies donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund goes directly
to surviving families; there are no administrative costs deducted. So
anyone who donates should feel good knowing that every dollar given is
going to help a wife, husband, mother, father or child in need."
Background information on the military families who will be
attending the Kentucky Oaks and Derby is included on page 3 of this news
release. For additional information about the Intrepid Fallen Heroes
Fund, call (800) 340-HERO or visit www.fallenheroesfund.org.
Background on Visiting Military Families
The Pokorney Family (Chelle and Taylor): Chelle (pronounced "Shelly") Pokorney lost her husband, 1st Lt. Frederick Pokorney, on March 23, 2003, in An Nasiriyah, Iraq. 1st Lt. Pokorney, who served as an Artillery Officer, was the first Marine from Operation Iraqi Freedom to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Chelle currently serves as a spokesperson for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and has made numerous public appearances on behalf of the fund. Chelle will be attending this year's Kentucky Oaks and Derby with her 3-year-old daughter, Taylor, who loves horses. The Pokorneys live in New York, NY.
The Rentschler Family (Lillian, Rachel, Scott and Brock): Lillian Rentschler lost her son, Staff Sgt. George Scott Rentschler, April 7, 2004, in a rocket attack in Baqouba, Iraq. Staff Sgt. Rentschler - who grew up in Louisville, Ky., graduated from Male High School, and was based at Ft. Knox, Ky. - is also survived by his wife, Rachel, and their sons, Scott (age 12) and Brock (age 5). Rachel and her boys have returned to Kentucky from Germany where her late husband was stationed prior to his deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Rentschler was supposed to leave Iraq on April 19 and hoped to make it home in time for the Kentucky Derby. His mother, wife and sons will attend in his place.
The Seifert Family (Terri and Benjamin): Theresa "Terri" Seifert lost her husband, CPT Chris Seifert, in March 2003. CPT Seifert - who served as a military intelligence officer for the 101st Airborne Division, based at Ft. Campbell, Ky. - was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Terri and her 1-year-old son, Benjamin, reside in Clarksville, Tenn. Terri has worked with the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund since last fall and will attend the 2004 Kentucky Oaks and Derby to help promote this very worthy cause.
The Kennedy Family (Kathy, Chris, Katie and Kevin): Kathy Kennedy lost her husband, CW3 Kyran Edward Kennedy, over the Tigris River on Nov. 7, 2003, when Iraqi insurgents shot down the Blackhawk helicopter he was piloting. Kyran Kennedy had always wanted to fly helicopters and joined the U.S. Army in order to enroll in flight school at Ft. Rucker, Ala. He was later assigned to Ft. Bragg, N.C., and was ultimately stationed at Ft. Campbell, Ky. Kathy Kennedy and her three children, Chris (age 12), Katie (age 9) and Kevin (age 4) will be attending this year's Kentucky Oaks and Derby as special guests of Churchill Downs Incorporated. The family resides in Hopkinsville, Ky.
Churchill Downs Incorporated ("CDI"), headquartered in Louisville, Ky.,
owns and operates world-renowned horseracing venues throughout the
United States. The Company's racetracks in California, Florida,
Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky host 114 graded-stakes events and many of
North America's most prestigious races, including the Kentucky Derby and
Kentucky Oaks, Hollywood Gold Cup and Arlington Million. CDI racetracks
have hosted nine Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships - more
than any other North American racing company. CDI also owns off-track
betting facilities and a television production company, and has
interests in telecommunications and racing services companies that
support CDI's network of simulcasting and racing operations. CDI trades
on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CHDN and can be found on
the Internet at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.
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