The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Fireworks Of A Different Kind

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

June 30, 2010

Saturday's Quad City Air Show was amazing and came with a history lesson and its own kind of fireworks in the form of a gas/oil mix explosion. For this one, I should have brought my ear plugs.

It gave a new idea for West Central, putting on the Heat during their sporting events, but yet again, maybe not. The reenactment of Pearl Harbor was just too authentic. It actually was the plane crew who were in the movie Tora! Tora! Tora! for the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, which launched the U.S. into World War II.

"Tora! Tora! Tora!" is a re-creation of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers, most belonging to the Commemorative Air Force, and many Japanese fighters and bombers simulated the attack, with smoke, fire and explosions and an announcer, who sounds like he's right from an old Victrola radio explaining the performance.

It's a dynamic history lesson about the cost of freedom.

The airshow is the communion we each need to remind us why we celebrate the 4th of July and our freedom. The heat of the bombs made you jump back and be reminded of the dangers that are always in the shadows ready to steal what we have away. Our fireworks celebrate the fact that our flag is still flying representing a freed America, but also it reminds us that we need to be on constant watch.