It's a Good Thing We Brought Ear Plugs

Jonathan could not contain his excitement after we broke the news of his birthday surprise--a day at the Miramar Air Show! He has watched library videos of air shows, but this would be the Real Deal. Elizabeth and Daniel were equally charged up, and we had to urge them to finish their breakfasts.

After exiting the freeway an hour and a half later, we followed the signs to the Miramar MCAS. We passed a barber shop named Chesty's, where Marines get haircuts for $6. Alan, in dire need of one, threatened to pull the truck over so he could get a trim. He was outvoted 4-1, so he kept on driving. Marine troops directed us to the parking lot in front of the base commissary, which boasted a sign: "Sushi Bar Now Open." Only in America.

Security was tight at the gate, not unusual post-9/11, and all bags and handheld items were inspected. We were told to discard our insulated bag which held five bottles of water. The bag went into the trash can, but thankfully we were able to keep the water, which would later come in handy for the sunny, 79-degree day.

Sights, sounds and smells:
Hawkers yelling, "Newspapers! Earplugs! Two dollars!"
Hamburgers and hot dogs on grills.
Food booths selling nachos, gyros, Thai food, shave ice.
Troops in uniform everywhere.
American flags flying overhead.
The strains of the Star-Spangled Banner over the loudspeaker.
Then, another patriotic song.

And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land...
God bless the U.S.A.

A roar of cheers erupts from the grandstand.

The static displays of military and civilian aircraft were a dream come true for aviation aficionados. Jonathan walked around in a state of bliss as he identified many of the aircraft: Helicopters, Ultralights, Gliders, Fighter jets, UAVs, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, B-1, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell, B-52 Stratofortress, C-5 Galaxy, C-130, C-5A, C-141, Douglas DC-3, Stearman E-75, F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, F/A 18 Hornet, F-117 Nighthawk, F16 Fighting Falcoln; HU-25 Guardian, S3B Viking, Stearman E-75 Kaydet, T-38 Talon, Z-497 (okay, I made that one up; just checking to see if you were paying attention).


British aircraft: Corsair


B-1B Lancer


UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)

How to describe the aerial performances? One word: awesome. Yes, that word is often overused, but in this case it is entirely appropriate.

Awesome, adj: Inspiring awe or admiration or wonder.

Our box seats were third row from the flight line. Never before have we been so close to that much raw aeronautical power. Even with airplugs in, the jets were LOUD, booming and thunderous. They didn't call this year's airshow "Thunder Over Miramar" for nothing! For a moment, Daniel wasn't sure he liked the loud noises, but he soon changed his mind once he saw the jets. Our favorite performers included:

Sean Tucker's Aerobatics with his Oracle "Challenger": Heart-stopping, death-defying corkscrews, plane's nose pointed to the ground. I had to remind myself to close my mouth.

The Patriot Team: Three L-39 jets performing electrifying formation flying while trailing red, white and blue smoke. Elizabeth exclaimed, "Oh, pretty!"

B-2 "Spirit" Stealth Bomber: Oh. My. Goodness. Unbelievable.

AV-8B Harrier II: Dramatic vertical take-off and landing. Jonathan's personal favorite.


AV-8B

Blue Angels: Legendary precision flying!! One wow after another!! An incredible finale!! (Well deserved exclamation marks!!)

Both photos: The Blue Angels

After the show ended, we walked around the tarmac looking at more aircraft, then began the long two mile trek back to the parking lot. We were pretty exhausted by the time we reached the truck, so we gulped down bottled water as we mentally prepared for the long drive home. Suddenly, we heard the familiar music of an ice cream truck. (In a base parking lot? Kudos to a true entrepreneur!) Alan and I glanced at each other for a split second and then simultaneously waved the truck over. Hooray; ice cream sandwiches all around! We munched on our treats while we watched the jets in the distance begin performing for the twilight show.

We arrived home to a late dinner of crockpot pot roast (birthday boy's request), cake with candles and presents. Jonathan pronounced, "Mom, this was the best birthday ever. Thank you for taking me to the airshow. I'll never forget it for the rest of my life." Gee, after a thank you like that I made a mental note to myself never to miss another airshow again.

Bedtime prayers were lifted up; then it was off to dreamland, where soaring loop-de-loops and speedy fly-bys continued amongst puffy clouds and blue skies.

"Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Psalm 106:1