Trailing smoke, the full complement of Blue Angels split apart
during a manuever at the Guardians of Freedom Airshow at the
Lincoln Airpark Sunday afternoon, September 11, 2011. (FRANCIS
GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star)
Benjamin Arneberg joined the military because of Sept. 11,
2001.
He was only 11 at the time, but the attacks later motivated him
to join the Air Force Academy.
Now a senior at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., U.S. Air
Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Arneberg is a member of the Wings of
Blue, a parachute demonstration team.
On Sunday, Arneberg jumped out of a plane at the Guardians of
Freedom Airshow, parachuting in front of tens of thousands of
onlookers at Lincoln Air Park.
The Navy's Blue Angels, the event's main attraction, wrapped up
the two-day show later in the afternoon. Sunday's attendance
estimates topped 100,000. Official numbers are expected Monday.
On Sunday, those on the ground took time to acknowledge the
anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. On one jump, the
Wings of Blue demonstration team parachuted down onto the runway
holding flags representing military branches.
"I'm grateful to be able to jump," said Arneberg, 21, who is
originally from Chippewa Falls, Wis. "When you look down and see
the crowds, and see those thousands of people, it makes you want to
try to put on a good show."
Wings of Blue selects about 25 members for its demonstration
team. This year, they'll perform at air shows and at least two
football games around the nation, Arneberg said.
Part of their demonstration is the "bomb burst," in which the
four jumpers open their parachutes together at 5,000 feet. After
their second jump of the day, the members packed their parachutes
while spectators watched. A young boy asked Arneberg what it was
like jumping out of the plane for the first time.
"It was a bit of a leap, but we knew the training would work,"
Arneberg said as he wrapped parachute lines together. "It took
about 30 jumps to not be scared."
Most of the team members will be overseas in the near future. As
an engineering student, Arneberg said, he too could end up being
deployed.
But on Sunday, the cadet said his favorite part of the day was
jumping while holding the American flag.
"To be able to jump on 9/11, with the flag, it's like it's come
full circle," he said.
Trailing smoke, the full complement of Blue Angels split apart
during a manuever at the Guardians of Freedom Airshow at the
Lincoln Airpark Sunday afternoon, September 11, 2011. (FRANCIS
GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star)
