Taking Long Islanders to new heights through air show

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The seagulls were not the only birds flying over Jones Beach over Memorial Day weekend.

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds rocked attendees of the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show practice session on Friday, as cars sang out with their alarms from the vibrations as the jets soared above.

The annual and popular Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show commenced this year on Memorial Day, as the May 29 and May 30 shows were cancelled due to rain storms. Though the tickets sold out, ABC 7 New York provided live coverage of the event that gave aviation enthusiasts a front-row view of the show.

Last year, because of the pandemic, the show had to be cancelled but fans were still able to tune in into a virtual experience, organized with EPOCH 5 and New York State Parks. People were able to participate in sweepstakes, print out activity books and get behind the scene content as well as a special show available on the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show Facebook page.

But air show fans this year were surely happy to view the show from Jones Beach State Park, including a group of family and friends from West Islip.

“I’m having the best time,” said Sue Waters of West Islip. “It’s so missed. Memorial Day on Long Island is the air show and cold beer. This is the best group of people ever. It was sad last year.”

The group of West Islip residents surely made their mark in Field 1, befriending a New York State Trooper and U.S. Navy Officers Antonio, Jasper, José and Aaron, who were there walking the boardwalk and recruiting.

Also watching the event from Field 1 was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and an Ex-Chief of the Franklin Square Fire Department Bob DaSilva. Despite the cool winds, DaSilva said he was enjoying his Friday morning on the beach.

“I like [the show,]” DaSilva said, adding that he comes to the show every year, besides last year because it was cancelled. “I’m a Blue Angel guy, but the Thunderbirds are good too.”

He said he would be back next year.

To learn more about the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show, visit bethpageairshow.com.