Make Me Smile Monday - The Blue Angels

My first memory of the Blue Angels was a television show back in the early 60's. I was a small boy, well, young at least. Every week, on Sunday night, we'd watch for a half hour as our heroes flew their planes. I don't remember anything about the show, other than that I couldn't miss it. I was fascinated by the planes, as were thousands of others.

Through the years, I'd see the Blue Angels on TV, in the magazines, and later, on the internet. I've maintained my fascination with flying, but never gotten the opportunity to see the Angels. I did see the Air Forces Thunderbirds, twice, but it just wasn't the same as seeing my childhood heroes.

Well, this weekend the Blue Angels were in Kansas City at the airshow. And while I didn't make it to the show, I DID finally get to see the Blue Angels fly. Last Friday afternoon, while at work downtown, I suddenly heard the rumble of low flying aircraft. I heard someone say, "Look! There they are!" and realized that the Blue Angels were practicing their performance, and flying right over and around downtown. I hurried out to the top level of the parking garage, where about 20 others were gathered to watch. Looking around, I could see people on tops of other buildings, watching the sky. Suddenly, I heard the roar of jets again, looked up, and there was the familiar diamond pattern of the Blue Angels.

I spent a wonderful 20 or 30 minutes, watching these guys fly around KC. It brought back a flood of memories... of the old black & white TV show, of dreams of flying, of other things from my childhood. It was also quite interesting to watch the other people watching the flying. Everyone had a smile on their face as they peered towards the heavens. It was GREAT!

My thanks to the Blue Angels for a memorable Friday afternoon in Kansas City.

posted by B.G. Roberts @ 7:20 AM