Ryan Mouritsen(1975-2009)

Ryan Christopher Mouritsen was posthumously awarded with the "Kentuckiana Cinematography Club (KCC): Lifetime Achievement Award" by Founder/President the Honorable Brennan James Callan, Col., for Ryan's lifetime of commitment to entertainment and aviation industries. The ceremony was at Bowman Field (KLOU) in Louisville, Kentucky at a special meeting held to honor Ryan's life. Ryan's photos were displayed on tables and two short films that had been dedicated to him were shown. A guest speaker taught members about aerial videographer, and then there was RYAN'S AVIATION MEMORIAL. This consisted of two taildragger airplanes (1. was a Bellanca Scout banner towing plane{180 HP} {tail number: N7672S} with a banner that said, "Goodbye Ryan Mouritsen [heart shaped symbol]") and then a second plane (2. a red 1935 replica WACO Biplane with Brennan flying in it with the pilot) {tail number: N43016} and the two planes started at a distance to come together over Bowman Field (KLOU), representing that aviation brought their friendship together. Then on the far side of the field, the two planes separated and presenting that Ryan's death at age 33; separated them as friends. This was done twice over Bowman Field (KLOU) so that video and still photography from the air and the ground could capture the best views. It got too dark outside to perform the third go-around. Everyone was moved by the aerial representation of friendship, admiration, respect, and love. A commemorative award (a stoneware plate) (in the shape of a large circular dinner plate, but blue etching paint draw the shape of a film-reel) was produced by a professional potter for the ceremony and that was later presented to the family as well as still photos and video. The memorial banner was lifted from runway (33) (330) which is on a precise heading of 327.5 and the last three digits of Ryan's phone number were 327. In January 1986, Brennan had started a Boy Scout Troop #327, so that number was a unique thread between the two. The banner towing plane model name is "Scout." The award was only the second time the Kentuckiana Cinematography Club (KCC) presented it to a member, but Ryan was the first posthumous award of it. Bowman Field (KLOU) is the oldest continuous operating airport in the world. Therefore, this airport provided the best possible opportunity to represent Ryan's connection to the long history of aviation and then to fly the banner over the 16th largest US City. While people outside of the memorial did not have the chance to meet, know, or love Ryan, they all knew he was important in Kentucky and elsewhere that day. It should be noted that Ryan loved flying taildragger planes and both of the planes used for this memorial also turned out to be taildraggers. The banner plane is rather similar to one of three regular planes Ryan frequented rented in California, a Bellanca Model 7ECA {115 HP}{tail number 50380}.