2009 Offutt Air Show

If my son decides to be a pilot, well, let’s just say I won’t be surprised one bit.

I’ve mentioned before my long-lasting fascination with airplanes, particularly airplanes of the military variety. I’m proud to say that it looks like Simon is following in his old man’s footsteps. He’s become something of an airplane buff, which, at this point, basically means that he points to the sky and bounces up and down whenever and airplane or helicopter passes by overhead — but I’ll take what I can get.

It’s been years since I’ve been to an Offutt air show, but no matter: as soon as that F-15 passed by overhead at just below the speed of sound, the roar of its engines — which, if I heard the announcer correctly, put out more power than the entire starting line-up of the Indianapolis 500 combined — setting everything on the airfield to shaking, my inner twelve-year-old kicked into high gear. And watching a B-2 pass by overhead — and looking as eerie and otherworldly as any UFO — was a definite highlight.

Simon got a little distressed by the loud noise, and after awhile, just sort of hunkered down next to Renae and weathered it out — but I’m proud of the little guy. I have no idea what he’ll be when he grows up, but if he decides to be a pilot, well, let’s just say I won’t be surprised one bit.

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