In reading the Scene from Saturday’s Courier-Journal, I came across this article that needs to be shared.

MERCHANT PAYS FREIGHT FOR DERBY TASTES SENT TO U.S. TROOPS

The annual April spike in out-of-town orders for Derby Pie is all the proof John Hassmann needs to know there are lots of Derby parties well outside of Louisville on the first Saturday in May.

But as the owner of A Taste of Kentucky, 11800 Shelbyville Road, Hassmann also knows that many U.S. troops serving at home and abroad wish they were here for the Running of the Roses. So each year his business pays the cost of shipping for Kentucky  products sent to soldiers.

“It’s not something we’ve promoted, but it’s been a standing rule that anytime anybody buys something to send to active-duty personnel, we pay the shipping,” said Hassmann, who served in the U.S. Navy in the 1960’s.

Not surprising, top on the gift list is the legendary Kern’s Kitchen Derby Pie.

“For about the last 10 years we’ve sent out four or five cases of pies every Derby and Christmas” to the submarine crews of the U.S.S. Louisville and the U.S.S. Kentucky, Hassmann said. The U.S.S. Louisville crew returned their gratitude a few years ago by taking Hassmann for an all-day ride on the sub during a post-maintenance shakedown cruise.

Thankful sailors attending the Derby also have visited him personally at the shop. “We just try to support them whenever we have the opportunity,” Hassmann said.