Glad these guys are on our side

Once a year in October the populace of the San Francisco Bay Area gather in crowds near Fisherman's Wharf or the Marina Green, on boats and on rooftops all eagerly looking toward the sky and out over the water. Suddenly from the city comes the deafening roar of six jet engines and everybody ducks as the Blue Angels fly dangerously close overhead. The powerful jets dance in the air, they cross each other one upside right the other upside down, death defying maneuvers which cause a collective gasp. One plane goes straight up a ribbon of smoke curling up into the atmosphere until it's out of sight then suddenly drops down again. They fly in six, five, four, three or two making perfect formations of diamonds, squares, triangles, wingtips seemingly just inches from each other. All six come together to make a ribbon in the clear blue sky, then all cross paths, weaving through each other's paths. Not to be outdone the pelicans, gulls and sea lions put on a good show too. But the main attraction leaves everyone in awe of the skill of the pilots. The sun glints off the golden US NAVY proudly painted on the brightly polished underside of each wing. And for just one hour of just one day everyone watching the display of daring and power is proud to be an American, even in San Francisco.