Thank you for the article on local opposition to performances here by the Blue Angels (“ ‘Say no to Blue Angels,’ new billboard says in Seattle,” July 23, Local News). I agree that the air shows pollute the air, waste taxpayer money and promote militarism.
Not remembered by most people here, though, are the events of the opening day of the Century 21 World’s Fair, April 21, 1962. During a performance by an Air Force team similar to the Blue Angels, one plane lost power and crashed into residences near Mountlake Terrace, killing two people and destroying two houses.
My ninth-grade science teacher lived on the same block and gave the class a firsthand report on the next school day.
Every time the Blue Angels fly, there is the risk of a repeat of that tragedy. Let’s have an end to this costly, dangerous nonsense.
Roger Lippman, Seattle
