Lackland Air Show

When we bought our home, I should have been impressed with the layout, the location, the condition, the details. After all, I am a Realtor - I know what to look for in a home and an investment.

But, no. When I found out that it had built-in surround sound speakers, I was ready to sign.

One of my favorite things about going to the movies - especially an IMAX - is the loud thumping that takes place in your heart during an action scene. To recreate this at home was something that I was looking forward to. The sub-woofer that I installed hasn't disappointed me.

However, the BEST place to experience that all-encompassing thunder in your body, the kind that makes your insides shake, is the Lackland Air Show.

Held once a year, usually around Veteran's Day, this festival is held in order to promote military pride and recruit new members. Or, to just delight my ears, but I don't think they're doing it for my benefit.

It's free and open to the public.

All around, you will see all kinds of helicoptors, jets, and cargo planes, from all eras of our military history in the air. You can go inside many of these. I am most blown away by the cargo planes - the cavernous inside is impressive. I strap myself to a seat on the side and take it all in.

There is lots of food and memorabilia to go around, but the real attraction is above you. This year, demonstrations were held by a an F-16 Falcon, a P-40 Warhawk, an F-22 Raptor, and other planes that I would not know the names of unless I looked them up.

Some of these fly solo, and some in formation.

There is also a program called "Tora, Tora, Tora", which is a recreation of the bombing at Pearl Harbor. My 9-year-old daughter, who is literally paralyzed with fear at July 4 fireworks, was mesmerized with this show, bombings and all. Vintage planes zoom, turn, roll, bomb, fight.

The final show, and the main reason for coming are the Blue Angels. Showing off the air power of the Navy, these are the jets that create the sonic music of my soul. They challenge everything we think of in an aircraft, flying upside-down and performing death-defying stunts. It is most magnificent when they fly together in formation, coming as close as 18 inches away from each other. At those kinds of speeds.

This is an event for all ages. We were there with my 2-year-old niece, up to my 90-year old retired Air Force grandfather. It was touching to see him there with all four of his great-grandchildren, passing along his love of flying to the little ones.

This is a new family tradition for us. Will it be yours?

Visit the Airshow Website!

(Note: Arrive early and bring folding chairs! You are in for an all-day show, and you will appreciate having something to sit on. There is plenty of parking, but it is quite a hike to the grounds. Shuttles are available for free.)