[firewalk]

Very nice! BTTT

[Crusher138]

That was beautiful.

Thank you for sharing it.

[lodwick]

A most excellent post! Thank you, JL

[DainBramage]

Good one Jean! Its a great feeling to feel patriotism. I only wish some in our country knew what it felt like just once.

[Skip Ripley]

Those are OUR jets now....

[RoseofTexas]

OH GOSH, here I go again, getting teary eye(it's been happening a lot lately), and I wasn't even there! Thanks and keep waving that flag!!

[OWK]

There's a target ship just a ways off Patuxent Naval Air Station. That's where I do a fair amount of charter fishing. Not unusual to see F-18's zipping back and forth in numbers. It is an inspiring sight, particularly in these times.

Thanks a bunch for the post.

[XBob]

what can I say? simply ....... WOW !

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Very very nice!!

[McGavin999]

So I stood there, alone, watching, watching my protectors prepare and I burst into tears.

An hour before our president announce the bombing had started in Afghanistan, I went outside to do some yard work. I heard a jet overhead and smiled. Then I heard another off a litter farther away, when I looked up I caught the glint of the sun on another and I realized what was happening, I knew the bombing had started and the jets were up there making sure nobody headed toward our nuclear generating station or any of the other plum targets around. The feeling is overwhelming when you realize that they are there protecting you, even when you're not aware of them.

[McGavin999]

Thought you might like this one.

[Delta 21]

It does my brothers in arms good to see this kind of patriotism.
Whether we are marching by in a parade the day after returning from a 30 day field exercise, looking down at you from the turret of our tank in the middle of 30 day field exercise or even if we just catch a glimpse of Old Glory as we scream past you during an inverted roll, from the cockpit of our jet fighter. It lets us know that you are supporting us, and that you also believe in the same things that we do.

Delta 21

[Rogmonster]

Cool.

[JoeSixPack1]

This one brings it home! Good read.

[Idlewise]

Most of the people who live by military air bases seem to find the jet noise annoying, during peace time anyway. The residents near NAS Oceana, Va. really complained when we had to send aircraft out at 1 or 2 am to practice field carrier landings prior to going to the ship. I didn't much care for the late hours either or being away from the family for months during the cruise. I still appreciate the "sound of freedom" years later and sometimes when they fly low overhead on approach, its a little loud but it isn't annoying to me, in peace time or now.

[Lizavetta]

"Go get 'em, boys! Go get 'em, goddamn it!"

Yes, indeed.

[nancetc]

Thanks...a Proud American story.

[riley1992]

This is the most wonderful thing I have read in a long, long time. Thanks for posting it, Jean.

[KLT]

Our military at work....This article sent chills up my spine...God Bless America, I'm so proud!

[wingnuts'nbolts]

In Ft. Lauderdale we have an imense airshow every June. These defenders of the Republic practice overhead for 2 days prior to the show. It brings tears of pride and awe at thier power. I would not want this power brought against me.