Last weekend the kids and I went to the airshow at Hill AFB. I have a deep fascination with airplanes so I love the airshow. Its not to be missed.
I love being able to take the kids too because its one of the few times they can see me with that same child-like wonder in my eyes.

We were on the bus from the parking lot when Devin and I were looking out the windows pointing at the sky as an F-22 was executing unbelieveable manuevers overhead . We weren't even on the ramp yet when Devin and I were yelling to each other "look look. oh my god that's cool"

Walking in, there were a couple of gargantuan cargo planes that framed the entrance and didn't look as if they should be able to fly. It makes you understand immediately how incredible and awe inspiring our technology has become. I could've drive my jeep in one end and out the other.

The jets in flight though are the best part. These incredible machines with human pilots screaming just slightly above the tree line and over our heads at five hundred miles per hour. You don't hear them until they pass over so they catch you by surprise. That's the fun part.

The thunderbirds do this on purpose at one point in their show. As four of them are crossing the field from left to right doing a roll while maintaining a perfect diamond formation, your attention is completely focused on the beauty and gracefulness of four fighter jets rolling together as if connected to each other. When one of the team who has been gone "hiding out in the west desert or out over the salt lake comes screaming through from behind the crowd with a thunder that shakes your chest as the sound of his engine catches up to him and sweeps over the crowd. Your eyes get big and then a communal grin sweeps over the hundred thousand or so spectators who realize the surprise that's been sprung on them.

It seems, the whole day, the adrenaline is very close to the surface. So much to see and touch, the thunderous noise of jets overhead and machines in flight zipping by at low altitude. Spectacle is a good description. I think one of the best parts for me though has to do with patriotism.

You see, I remember tears in my eyes a couple of times that day while taking in somthing that obviously stirred me deeply. When the Thunderbirds taxi out to the runway they salute their ground crews. Its that signature salute; a constant motion connected to the thumbs up.. Its a gesture that seems to have multiple meanings. It's a respect that these men have for each other and the job they do. It speaks of why they do it and who they do it for. It recognizes the danger of the job and the risk they take, not just doing these performances but for protecting our country. You see, when we go to war, the Thunderbird's F-16s are painted over in airforce grey and these guys go wherever they are called. The salute also seems to say goodbye in case this is the last flight I take. The honor drips from these guys.

Its a long hot day in the desert sun but it's so cool.