Hundreds watch from airport, Evergreen or home
The Ladies for Liberty, a trio that sings to support veterans and remind people of those who fought in World War II, blended their voices on “The Star Spangled Banner.”
A few yards away, on the McMinnville Airport’s flight line, nine members of the McMinnville American Legion’s Riders organization stood at attention, flags waving from the backs of their motorcycles.
“For the land of the free, and the home of the brave,” Ladies Angie Glotzbach, Jeanette Kays and Janet Essenpreis harmonized. The Legion Riders mounted their bikes and roared down the runway.
Then a new sound, louder than that of the bikes and not quite so dulcet as that of the singers, filled the air as two Oregon Air National Guard F-15s soared overhead.
The third Oregon International Air Show to be held in McMinnville had begun.
The air show, which has been held in Hillsboro for many years, came to McMinnville in 2019 when its regular venue was undergoing construction. After being canceled due to the pandemic in 2020, it returned in 2021. This year, the air show was held in both locations, Hillsboro in the spring and McMinnville Aug. 19-21.
Although some area residents took to Facebook to complain about the noise, many locals joined crowds from all over the Northwest to watch planes soar and tumble, either from the airport grounds or across Highway 18 at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.
At the latter site, for instance, a McMinnville group — Matt and Sara Bernards of McMinnville, Karson Bernards, Broc Kamp and Parker Benton — settled on the lawn behind the Evergreen theater building.
“This is a great place; a great deal, a great view,” Sara Bernards said.
Nearby, newlyweds Dennis and Cindy Klopstad of Pullayup, Washington, set up their chairs. The couple came down to Portland to visit the submarine museum. After hearing about the air show, they continued to McMinnvile for the Evergreen viewing party.
“This is a big bonus,” said Dennis, a Navy vet who was a F-4 captain on the USS Kitty Hawk.
He later worked at Boeing for 40 years, so he appreciates all sorts of planes, he said. Cindy added, “all the planes here are pretty impressive.”
Some local people parked in lots and streets near the airport; others simply looked up when they heard the sounds of a giant C-17 Globemaster cargo plane, a WWII Mustang or the show’s headliners, the Thunderbirds precision flying team.
The Thunderbirds raced back and forth overhead, flying together with wingtips only 18 inches apart. Capt. Kaity Toner, public affairs officer with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, said pilots undergo a great deal of training to pull off the precision patterns.
“Our mission is showcasing the professionalism of the Air Force and inspiring people to do something great, whether that’s flying or being a better person who does your best every day,” she said.
This was Toner’s second year at the McMinnville air show. “I have a blast here,” she said. “The people are so engaging.”
Among spectators who watched the show from the airport, many arrived early to view static exhibits or try out a simulator that lets riders experience the feeling of flying a high-powered jet. Many people admired Erickson Aircraft Collection’s B-17, which arrived Friday morning from Madras and offered rides after each day’s show.
As he viewed the B-17, Phil Prettyman remembered his great-grandfather’s stories of flying 32 missions as a belly gunner in the bomber. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his service, Prettyman said.
People also climbed inside and walked beneath the rare WWII bomber, nicknamed “Ye Olde Pub.”
“Awesome,” said Travis Brenneman of the McMinnville Fire Department as he examined the bomb bay from below. “It’s amazing to see it up close and personal and think about the history … all the danger these guys went through.”
Many local people helped make the annual air show possible, assisting with admissions, crowd control and information booths.
In addition to Brenneman, the McMinnville Fire Department sent about 20 people a day to standby at three locations around the airport. “Better here than at a desk,” said Scott Law, Amity training chief. “I love an air show.”
American Legion members such as Dave Constance, who also rode in the opening ceremony, put up fencing to keep spectators at a safe distance from the planes and other vehicles.
Willamette Valley Medical Center nurse Dave Dorshimer volunteered to spend the day plane spotting, as well as administering first aid. “This is a good way to meet the community, too,” he said.
Candy Gamboa, part of the crew showing off a Chinook CH-47 helicopter, agreed.
A former parachutist who’s now a jumpmaster and recruiter for the Army Reserve, she told visitors about the rewards of serving in the military. “It’s nice to see kids getting excited about flying,” she said.
Across the highway on the Evergreen property, one kid was especially excited, although he’s a long way from piloting anything but a toy plane.
Lincoln Johnson, who’ll turn 2 in September, pointed to the sky from his family’s shady spot beneath the Evergreen 747. “Airplane!” he cried.
His parents, Amber and Tyler Johnson, said Lincoln has seen lots of planes at the Cresswell Airport, near their home. “He loves airplanes. He talks about airplanes all the time,” his mother said.
After the show, they planned to see even more aircraft inside the Evergreen museums. Lincoln was all for that. “Airplane!” he cried. “Airplane! Airplane!”
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