The cost of flight demonstrations by the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, while not insignificant, is a drop in the bucket compared other DoD expenses that could be deemed wasteful. This particular cut does not make sense. In a cost-benefit analysis, the flight demonstrations have many positive effects. They inspire our youth, foster interest in aviation and science, fire the imagination of young and old, shore up pride among our veterans and in the public, develop local economies, create better understanding between the military and civilians, and unite our country in spirit in ways few other events can. In particular, when the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds perform, we completely forget that we might be members of any political party. We watch them and we remember, "Country First."
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