San Francisco Bans the Blue Angels

I am admittedly a San Francisco Bay Area transplant - I moved here to work for Hewlett-Packard in 1984, but have happily made the Bay Area my home ever since. I am also a trumpet player, and the biggest honor I can remember having was playing Taps under the Golden Gate bridge on board the SS Jeremiah O"Brien during Fleet Week when the wreaths were dropped in remembrance of those who gave their lives for our great country. Yes, the Blue Angels were flying overhead, and I still remember the chills that ran up and down my spine, as I struggled to keep every note clean and pure - not an easy task as I was shaking at the time.

When I read that the pacifists were trying to outlaw the Blue Angels, I was beyond furious. Even if you don't agree with the current war in Iraq, how can you discount the tradition that lies behind the Blue Angels, and how many times the United States has fought for justice, peace, and righteousness in the world? Was it wrong for us to come to the aid of Kuwait, when she was invaded by hostile forces? Wasn't it our talented pilots who liberated Kuwait from an uncertain fate? What about World War II in which the Jeremiah O'Brien served? Was it wrong to defend the free world against Adoph Hitler and his misguided followers?

I think not. And I think that all those who oppose the show, not of force, but of incredible talent, are spitting in the face of the American tradition of flying excellence. In your zeal to defend us against anything military, have you lost sight of the fact that a superior airpower has often saved infantry lives - and guaranteed a shorter military engagement?

I say to all that oppose the Blue Angels - stay home, lock your doors, and don't look up. I just hope that our flyboys don't ever have to save your sorry lives from the enemy some day because you don't deserve saving.