After decades of flirting with aviation fandom, I finally went to an airshow Saturday afternoon. I could bore everyone with a recitation of the types of aircraft on static display ... and I will, if asked. It was an impressive collection, running the gamut from Kolb ultralights to a B-52.

Unfortunately, we arrived too late in the day to see most of the performance program. As we were walking the 3/4-mile from our parking place to the airfield, the sky was occupied by a curious trio: an F-15, an F-16 and a P-51. I learned later that those are called "Legacy Flights", and the one I saw was the Air Force's. The Falcon and the Mustang each took a solo aerobatic turn while the other two circled the field. Seeing a jet fighter do things that one might guess defied aerodynamic physics was amazing, but I was actually more affected by the sight of the Eagle and the Mustang in tight formation.

As you might guess, the Thunderbirds were the finale. Now I've felt the rush as four F-16s go treetopping right over my head... and also noticed how -- if you're the enemy and they were flying close ground support -- by the time you hear them, it's too late.

That kind of power, wielded with that much finesse, cannot but be inspiring. But there was another item, not listed on the program, that had everyone there in goosebumps. I wasn't close enough to see them, but the PA clearly carried their voices as a number of new AF recruits took the oath of service.

One more observation, an irony of the rare, non-cynical kind: It was a hot and sunny day, and many visitors sheltered in the comforting shade of some of the deadliest wings ever spread to protect and defend.