A Monterey County sky filled with Angels and Knights

by Donna Teresa, Staff Writer

The California International Air Show is coming to Salinas Aug. 7-9 and soon the sky will be filled with the incredible sights and sounds of the many performers that thrill audiences wherever they perform.

Monterey County is excited to see the return of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Their visit is extra special as the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey is celebrating its centennial. Also performing is the extraordinary parachute team the U.S. Army Golden Knights.

The U.S. Army Golden Knights are celebrating a 50-year anniversary. This official parachute demonstration team represents more than 1 million American soldiers. They were formed in 1959 as a Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team to compete in a once Communist-dominated sport of free-fall parachuting.     Their efforts were so outstanding that on June 1, 1961, the team was officially given the honor of being the U.S. Army Parachute Team. They have two teams that perform at air shows and compete nationally and internationally.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels have been wowing audiences for many years. They are considered by many to be the most famous flight demonstration team ever. Over 15 million people annually view their expertise in the sky. The team started in 1946 to help encourage public interest and recruiting. They are accompanied by the hard- working Marine crew of the "Fat Albert," a Transport C-130 Hercules aircraft. This crew is essential in providing support and maintenance for the Blue Angels.

I would like to acknowledge Army Sgt. 1st Class Pedro A. Munoz, who was a member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights from 1998 to 2002. He made more than 4,000 free-fall parachute jumps with the Gold Demonstration Team. Sgt. Munoz lost his life on Jan. 2, 2005, in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

I also would like to recognize another Golden Knight, Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel Sr., a Medal of Honor recipient for his heroism in the Vietnam War. He served in World War II and Korea. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on April 13, 2006.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge the contributions of Lt. Cmdr. Roy "Butch" Voris who served during World War II. Voris obtained his associate of arts degree at Salinas Junior College, what is now Hartnell College. He was one of the first to command the Blue Angels — not once, but twice. I will always regret the missed opportunities I had to get an autographed book written about his distinguished career. Voris passed away in Monterey in 2005.

The California International Air Show is a wonderful event that raises funds for nonprofit organizations throughout Monterey County. The show doesn’t happen without the tireless efforts of performers, ground crews and air show volunteers. Get your tickets and support the event as our way of saying, "Thank you to all who make this annual event happen."

Amelia Earhart once said: "After midnight, the moon set and I was alone with the stars. I have often said that the lure of flying is the lure of beauty, and I need no other flight to convince me that the reason flyers fly, whether they know it or not, is the esthetic appeal of flying."

I don’t know why flyers fly, but I do know that they are certainly a beautiful sight, especially if they are Angels and Knights.

Donna Teresa can be reached at [email protected].
www.salinasairshow.com