Air Show!

So, I'm part of a deployed spouses group on base. I've met some great people and our leader is MSgt Tyus. He is wonderful about getting us involved in the community and out and about so we're not feeling so isolated. Well, one of the "perks" he got was he was asked to invite 8 deployed families to enjoy a chalet experience at the Dayton airshow this year. These chalets line up right in front of the flightline. Nothing was in the way, we had front row "seats." The chalet was actually a large tent with air conditioning and real bathrooms. There was lots of free food (bbq beef sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, fruit salad, salsa/chips, cheese, crackers, cookies and all the pop, water and beer you could drink!) Outside, there were lots of chairs and tables with umbrellas and many coolers outside full of drinks floating in iced water. I could not believe what a neat experience that was! The programs were even free and they were charging $5 for them outside the chalet area. We sat with another deployed spouse, Victoria and her mom and her 2 kids. That was nice to have friends to hang out with!
It was great entertainment. Saw a C-17, C-5, A-10, F-18 and a few of the daredevil planes. A tora, tora re-enactment complete with bombs on the ground (the boys loved that!) Then, of course, the grand finale was the Thunderbirds - they were awesome, as usual!!!!
Although it took us forever to get home, we had a really, really great time and I didn't spend a penny, somehow.
Michael said that we do get benefits from Dad being deployed but he felt bad saying that as if it doesn't sound right. I know what he means. These things are great but our family isn't together so it feels guilty to totally enjoy it. But, it is a blessing that the base tries to take care of us.