Despite the high winds
and nippy temperature, hundreds of people showed up Oct. 28 for the second day of the 2006 Air show. Among them was the US
Naval Sea Cadets, Mayport Division Unit under the direction of their commanding officer, Lt. Sue Lounsberry. The cadets were
the guests of the Association of Naval Aviation, who had one of the many chalets that lined the front of the air strip. However,
the day was far from relaxing for the cadets.
The unit was split up into five groups comprised of three to five cadets and one or two adult leaders. These
groups then walked around the air strip handing out brochures for both the Sea Cadet program and the upcoming US Naval D-Day
Memorial installation ceremony in Normandy, France. Captain Francis Floyd, USN Ret. serves as the liaison between the Mayport
Unit and the Navy League. Through his involvement with both organizations, the Mayport Unit was invited to help promote the
ceremony.
The highlight of the unit's day was being invited to sit in the Blue Angels' chalet to watch the performance
of the world famous flight team. The unit's Operations Officer, USN Chief Brett Vaughn arranged the privilege for the cadets
and staff. Chief Vaughn was recently accepted into the Blue Angels program and will be leaving for Pensacola sometime next
year. After the air show, the cadets joined the masses to get autographs and posed for a group shot with one of the pilots.
