Columbia honors soldiers in Salute to Veterans Air Show

The free show doubled its audience from last year.

By Nichole Ballard

Published June 2, 2010

Columbia hosted the 22nd Annual Salute to Veterans Air Show on Saturday at the Columbia Regional Airport. The free event included team demonstrations of the AV-8B Harrier and performances by the Canadian Army's Skyhawk Parachute Team and the AeroShell Aerobatic Team.

The tour of a cargo helicopter, the Sikorsky MH-53E known as Sea Dragon, boasted the longest line on the runway Sunday.

"It's always a crowd pleaser," Navy pilot Lt. J.G. Chris Vanallen said.

People entered through the rear cargo bay of the helicopter and made their way to the front where they could sit in the pilot's seat and learn about the aircraft.

Miller said though the final Sea Dragon was built in 1986, the Navy has too many uses for the aircraft to get rid of them. The craft got its name from its primary use, detecting and destroying mines in the sea.

Another main attraction of the show was the AV-8B Harrier. The demonstration included the hovering abilities of the Marine Harrier and the one-of-a-kind vertical take-off. The ground shook as the Harrier rose and spun 360 degrees before blasting off into sky, with Queen's, "We Will Rock You" blaring in the background.

The Harrier has been on hiatus for the last 12 years and was chosen to make its return at the Salute to Veterans Air Show. It will only make 14 appearances in 2010. Salute to Veterans Media Spokeswoman Nancy Fields said she had never seen the craft before.

Patrick and Dana Bexten, of Freeburg, had to hold the ears of their three young boys during the Harrier's presentation. They said their children were fascinated with the planes and each had a souvenir.

"We've been coming for the last three or four years," Dana Bexten said.

Several other children had their ears covered, and some had to leave with their parents because of the noise.

Fields said turnout for the show was high, with Saturday concession sales doubling what they were for both days of the show last year. Fields said despite the large crowds and sophisticated aircrafts, the focus of the day was honoring soldiers who had served and were deployed overseas. She said planning for the 23rd air show would begin next week.

"We truly appreciate all of those that support our heroes," said Fields, whose father and father-in-law fought in World War II. "That's what this is all about."

On Friday, sailors from the U.S.S. Columbia visited the Boone Tavern and Restaurant to begin the area's Memorial Day festivities. Mayor Bob McDavid welcomed three sailors, who also attended a banquet at the Hearnes Center. Crew members have visited Columbia during Memorial Day weekend for the last 16 years, marking the commemoration of the town's namesake vessel in September 1994.

Monday celebrations included a 155-unit parade down Broadway with a military aircraft flyover, a parachute drop by the Screaming Eagles in honor of fallen comrades and a ceremony at the Boone County Courthouse.