Local school bus drivers nearby the Long Island MacArthur Airport-adjacent Ronkonkoma area and summertime-ready residents alike recalled the scene on Tuesday, May 20th with great glee.
Makeshift midday campsites were formed on the fenced outskirts of the MacArthur grounds to welcome in the annual “Thunderbird” flyers on one of the sunniest days this rain-filled region has seen in recent weeks.
Before they made their way to Suffolk County, the jets offered a taste of what was to come for Jones Beachgoers, with the Thunderbirds returning as the official headliners of this Memorial Day Weekend’s two-day airshow.
Last year’s festivities drew more than 350,000 attendees, per reports.
Previously known as the Bethpage Air Show, the Jones Beach State Park-held event is now known as the FourLeaf Air Show. Here, Long Island locals and fellow patriots from elsewhere gather to celebrate the excellence our defenders in and of the sky exemplify.
The South Shore Press was en route to the press assemblage when they caught a mid-traffic glimpse of one of the final three thunderbirds to touch down at MacArthur Airport.
Boy, does it never get old.
We in the newsroom salute the US Air Force and all military members this Memorial Day. Thank you for your service, and thank you for the show!