Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS

Fonda, myself, and thousands of others went to Keesler Air Force Base today to enjoy their 70th anniversary.  It was also an occasion for me to attend my first ever air show.  Getting into the Base was very similar to getting on an airline flight.  You had to go through a metal detector, and there was a long list of prohibited items for entry.  I watched one man physically break apart his pocket knife and throw it in the garbage rather than let the officials confiscate it.  Cameras and such were allowed along with the suggested chairs in a bag, but you couldn’t bring in any beverages.  Since it was in the eighties, that was a harsh rule for us.  A bottle of water cost $3.  I opted for a lemonade, and that was $5! 

 

We carried our chairs with us, and eventually found a spot to set them up along the runway for the show. 

The Navy’s Blue Angels were scheduled to perform, and I was looking forward to seeing that.

We were able to see these jets from afar.  Of course, the Blue Angels were scheduled about last in the show.

The show started off with the Budweiser Beer Clydesdales parading down the runway.  I’m not really sure what that has to do with an air show, but many folks seemed to be enjoying their brews. 

After baking in the sun for almost an hour, the actual show finally started once all the dignitaries gave their dry speeches.  First up was the Army’s Golden Free Fall Parachute Team.  They jumped out of the airplane at 12,000’.

I found this the most exciting part of the show for me.

It’s my guess that I was not alone in that opinion.  Look at the marvel on those kid’s faces!  Do you see any future paratroopers there?

Next came a myriad of old planes that flew back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth…  My brother, Carl, volunteers each year at the big air show in Oshkosh, WI.  I think that one goes on for about two weeks.  I must admit that I have found that I do not share his passion for airplanes.  After about two hours, I was beginning to melt into a puddle in the blazing sun.  Fonda and I looked at each other and decided it was time to get out of there.

 

Our escape, of course, was not as easy as we thought it would be.  It took quite some time to work our way off of the airfield, and finally catch the proper shuttle back to the shopping center where we had left the car.  As we tried to make our way to somewhere to have a late lunch, we were trapped in two huge traffic jams.  That took another two hours, and that’s when I noticed that the Blue Angels were finally in the sky.

 

I guess I was just not prepared for this to be a four hour endurance test in order to see them.  Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if there was anywhere with a bit of shade to sit in.  Just getting old, I guess. 

                                                                             THE END!!

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy