For
Immediate Release
April 17, 2002
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront or Donna Moloney (502) 564-2611
Frankfort, Ky. - Freedom is anything but free. It is paid
for with the blood of soldiers, sailors, and pilots who willingly give up their
lives to secure our democratic ideals.
In Frankfort Cemetery, on a tree-ringed knoll overlooking
the shining Kentucky River, and beyond it, the majestic Capitol, is a
63-foot-tall monument that serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom. It is
the Kentucky Veterans War Memorial. The marble statue has stood sentinel over
Frankfort since 1850.
The monument is topped by a female figure believed to be
the Goddess of Victory. She holds two laurel wreaths. Around the granite base of
the statue are markers that list all of Kentucky's war dead from nearly all
conflicts from the War of 1812 through the Persian Gulf War -- 16,000 names in
all. The Civil War is represented by a marker, but does not list all the
thousands of war dead.
Gov. Paul Patton and First Lady Judi Patton chose the
statue to be featured in the official 2002 Kentucky Derby Breakfast poster. The
breakfast is scheduled for May 4 in downtown Frankfort, rather than the usual
Capitol location. As always, the event is free and open to the public.
"It is times like these, when we are at war, that we
become acutely aware of the bravery and dedication of our veterans," Patton
said. "That's why we chose this memorial as an appropriate image for this
year's poster."
Jim Hoffmann, who works in the Creative Services division
in the Finance and Administration Cabinet, was chosen to execute the artwork for
the poster. An 11-year veteran of state government, Hoffmann has created the
images for five Derby Breakfast posters during the Patton administration. The
first four posters could be considered a series, illustrating historical
important buildings in Frankfort, namely the Capitol, Old Capitol, Executive
Mansion, and Lieutenant Governor's Mansion. Then, a new series started with an
image of Daniel Boone's Grave, also at Frankfort Cemetery.
Gov. Patton's interest in history fits well with Hoffmann's
talents. He has a special interest in history-related art.
He especially likes to create images relating to the Civil War, he said.
For this year's poster, the artist used chalk pastel to
convey a "peaceful spring morning" at the site of the monument. Puffy
clouds form a dramatic backdrop to the statue. The Capitol can be seen in the
background.
Hoffmann will autograph posters on the Old Capitol Grounds
during the breakfast. The poster costs $12. It is also available by mail for
$15, postage and shipping included. Checks should be made payable to the
Kentucky State Treasurer and mailed to the attention of Vicki Brown, 700 Capitol
Ave., Room 106, Frankfort, Ky. 40601.
As in the past several years, proceeds from the sale of the
2002 Derby Breakfast poster will support the Kentucky Association of Children's
Advocacy Centers, designated by First Lady Judi Patton.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: For an image of this year’s poster: http://gov.state.ky.us/derby/2002/derby2002.htm
Images of the 2001 Governor's Derby Breakfast may be downloaded from this web address: http://gov.state.ky.us/drby2001.htm