The Blue Angels 1977

by DannyL
(Lees Summit, MO.)

Blue Angels Navy Pilots - Class of 1977

The Blue Angels 1977

Ever since my first time seeing the Blue Angels. I have been in a trance watching this organization do, what they do.

I wasn't 14 the first time they came to Andrews Air Force Base, not too far from my home town.

I could barely sleep the night before.

I kept going over in my head what would soon come. I projected the days events, over and over,bearing a great big smile.

It was 4 a.m. in Hyattsville,Maryland.

The summer of 1977.

I made sure to get up nice and early. Truth be told.

I could barely sleep.

My dad arrived at around 7 a.m. We had breakfast at McDonalds and headed towards the beltway.

We barely hit any traffic, and as we pulled up to the main gate the staff sergeant gave a swift salute to me and my dad. It felt good... to be an American on this particular day.

As we parked. I could barely contain myself.

I quick; stepped my way towards the stars; of the show.

My dad told me to slow down.

But, who was he kidding.

I had heard so much about the OTHER, aerial demo team the military offered, I just had to get a glimpse, at what had kept me up all night, and what I had only read about in books.

Just as I cleared all the obstructions.

There they sat. In absolute MAJESTY... How dramatic it was.

I remember counting them 1,2,3,4,5,6, and the two seater number seven.

Mcdonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawks.

It was a picture perfect day in Camp Springs,Maryland.

And the usual gentry was there.

The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, some F-4s,A-10,F-105 Thunderchiefs' which were assigned to the D.C. Air National Guard.

That's when airshows didn't hold back, in terms of budgets and all that nonsense.

Everything flew back in those days.

I scanned every inch of them.

The rich navy blue and canary yellow paint scheme.

The chrome trim of the intake cowling.


I watched in slow motion.

All the noise around me ceased.

It was if I was all alone.

This was only my second airshow,and my head was still reeling from the last one.

Where I was introduced to the magnificent USAF Thunderbirds.

This was to be a treat.

I anticipated the arrival of these supreme naval aviators.

As the Dodge crew van pulled up to the far end of the taxi way.

My heart raced with joy,euphoria,and envy.

I wanted a flight suit like that one, hanging in my closet.

I wanted those Ray Ban's the spit shined boots.

The respect, who was I kidding.

The awesome POWER!!! and respect these guys commanded, I could only wish for.

They snapped to attention.

The crowd silenced.

Forward march - then # 1 engaged a right flank,then #2,3,4,5,6...What precision!

I thirsted for more.

The J-65s engines saw to that.

The sweet sound of the spooling was ear piercing.

After it was all over, my dad asked me what I thought about this day.

That's why I wrote this article so I could share what I thought with all you airplane freaks like me.... Keep dreaming don't ever stop.