I am finally starting a bucket list. I am 51 years old and it is about time. This weekend I started knocking out my first item in my bucket list.

The event I attended was one which I had wanted to attend for several years. I never allowed myself the pleasure though. I wanted desperately to attend the Alliance Air Show.

Each year as the show came around those dear sweet pilots would fly over my house and tempt me. My neighbors and I would congregate in the street and look up into the sky with awe. I would tell them how much I wanted to see the show up close but there was always a reason why I couldn’t.

This year I decided there would be no more excuses. I went and even invited a friend of mine to go with me. We had an absolute blast.

The first thing we did was to go into an army and air force trailer to get a feel for what the soldiers do. My hat goes off to every soldier in the Army, Navy, Air force and Marines. You all are totally awesome.

Next we looked at some planes and helicopters.

Then we saw some stunt planes and even a sail plane. We saw several parachute jumps and enjoyed each show.

The last show was the Thunderbirds and they were just amazing.

It was a beautiful day to be out but just a bit too hot. My friend was getting overheated and as we watched the Thunderbirds there was a man who handed her a water bottle and a piece of ice to cool her down. That was so sweet and made her feel much better.

As we were leaving, my friend and I talked about how much we wanted to help out soldiers who were wounded. I don’t know how to go about helping them but I intend to find out.

I am not a very patriotic person but at the end of the day I was more than grateful to be an American.