The sounds from Hollywood's biggest blockbuster weren't produced out of thin air. GE Aviation put its jet engines to work, teaming up with Skywalker Sound to capture some of the thrilling audio from the movie.

It was a fitting tribute to Memorial Day, then, for nearly 100 GE volunteers to dedicate portions of their week cleaning and beautifying Hillcrest Cemetery near GE Aviation's global headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. About 1,400 U.S. military veterans spanning from the Civil War to the Vietnam War are buried at this cemetery. Roughly 95% of those represent African American veterans.

"The supply chain for the GE9X engine has a wide global footprint, stretching from our facilities in Canada, Italy, Poland and the US to our international participants located in Belgium, France, Germany and Japan," said Ted Ingling, general manager of the GE9X engine program at GE Aviation. "Several sites, such as Peebles, Durham, Batesville and Avio Aero's Pomigliano, had to make significant changes to accommodate the engine's large size."

GE Aviation CEO David Joyce wore jersey number 18 when he took the mound on Monday to throw out the Reds’ Opening Day ceremonial first pitch in Cincinnati. Joe Alllen, the general manager of GE's Global Operations in North America, served as catcher.

Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati was selected to receive a $25,000 Chairman’s Award grant from GE Aviation’s Bradley D. Mottier. The Chairman’s Award is given annually by GE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt. It is the highest level management honor bestowed on a GE executive, recognizing outstanding performance and leadership within the company.