Why Security Was Extra Tight at the Airshow

Last year, we took our kids to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  It is very much worth the trip if you want to get a panoramic view of how these brave men and women have throughout the history of our nation, really gone to the ends of the Earth to then be unflinchingly courageous for others.  The displays are interactive, including temperature changes when you walk into the Iraqi desserts, or along the "Frozen Chozin."  Moving would be the only word that truly conveys anything about the museum itself. 
We go to these sorts of places for three reasons: historical significance, educational value, and free.  With 9, the admissions cost to anything is exponential unless it's free.

At the end of all the exhibits at the Marine museum, there is a staircase that allows you to get a bird's eye view of several planes and we took our children there for the grand finale.  One of my daughters was going through the boot camp displays and doing surprisingly well.  Walking into the large open chamber to tell us her results, her sisters and brothers spied her and several of the youngers began waiving from the top perch and saying, "Hi" in outside voices which were augmented by the echo chamber of the room.  A marine woman came over and announced to us as we were shushing them ourselves that we should come down.

Our kids started down the stairs and so we pursued but the kids happily oblivious to the irritation they were causing, clomped and giggled as they galloped down the four flights of stairs, echoing all the way with us chasing after, slowed by the diaper bag and our toddlers who could only come down slowly.  When we arrived at the main floor, we were reminded that this was a museum and that there was a playground only 50 yards away outside by the woman.  We nodded and were feeling rather chastened. 

A second marine showed up with very big shoulders and followed us as we began moving towards the gift shop explaining what the first had already said to us. I thought it was a bit of overkill to the happy noise of a 2, 3, 5 and 7 year old but it did not seem terribly smart to argue with two irritated marines. Over the loud speaker came an announcement, "ALL PARENTS ARE REMINDED TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN RESPECTFULLY QUIET IN THE MUSEUM."   The marine near the gift shop seemed to stand in front of the entrance of the store.    Message received, leave already.

I understand wanting a respectful atmosphere, but there is such a thing as overkill. 

So when we went to the Air Force base and found a golf cart with several fatigue combat ready troops riding in it behind us for a bit of our tour of the airshow, I whispered to my husband, "We heard about you folks at the Marine museum.  We're keeping an eye on you."

Next week, we'll go scare the Navy in Annapolis.