U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
USAF ACADEMY, CO 80840
www.usafa.af.mil (719) 333-7731
News Release #045G
May 12, 2009

GRADUATION TICKETS AVAILABLE AT CHAMBER ON FRIDAY

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Approximately 500 free, reserved-seat tickets for the Academy's Class of 2009 Graduation Ceremony on May 27, at 10 a.m., will be available beginning Friday at 8 a.m., through the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to be this year's commencement speaker.

Tickets must be picked up in person between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Chamber offices at 6 S. Tejon Street, Suite 700, in Colorado Springs.

A maximum of four tickets per person will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Chamber cannot mail tickets or accept telephone reservations, and there will be no will-call. Lost tickets cannot be replaced.

Falcon Stadium gates open at 8 a.m. and visitors are encouraged to arrive no later than 9 a.m. Stringent security measures will be in effect and stadium security staff will check tickets, IDs, and hand-carried items and will require attendees to be scanned by airport-style metal detectors. Additional security requirements will be released as they become available.

Once the ceremony has begun at 10 a.m., no one will be allowed to leave the stadium until after the end of the Thunderbirds' performance at about 1 p.m.

No tailgating parties will be permitted before the graduation ceremony and after the Thunderbirds' demonstration. RVs or vans may be parked in the parking lots, but no open fires or charcoal/wood grills are permitted.

The Air Force Academy graduation ceremony is conducted in an outdoor stadium and extensive walking and stair climbing may be necessary. Guests should be prepared for any kind of weather. Medical staff will be available for individuals who may experience illness or other medical emergencies.

General public ticket holders will not be allowed to attend the graduation ceremony if it is moved indoors because of dangerous weather or heightened security.

For more information on the Academy Graduation visit the Web site, www.usafa.edu , or call the graduation hotline at (719) 333-4723.