U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds announce Hometown Heroes honorees

The California International Airshow and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will honor a local Olympian and an Alisal teacher as this year’s “Hometown Heroes.”

The Thunderbirds host a “Hometown Hero” Orientation Flight program in communities throughout America during their show season. The program is designed to showcase American citizens doing amazing things in their communities.

This year’s local selections include Nick Cunningham of Monterey, a Monterey High graduate, Olympian and a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Also being honored is Ruben Pizarro of Salinas, a former attorney for the California Rural Legal Assistance and current teacher at Alisal High School. Pizarro also is founder of the Alisal Dream Academy.

Their respective accomplishments have been submitted to The Thunderbirds under the Hometown Hero program and one will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds. The other will fly with Airshow Hall of Famer Sean D. Tucker. Both flights will take part as part of the California International Airshow’s Salinas event on Sept. 27-28.