More than 150,000 expected for air show's first day
Frank Gatto of Farmingdale wears a big Uncle Sam hat as he poses with military members. Credit: Newsday/Bahar Ostadan
More than 100,000 people were at the beach for the air show by 11 a.m., according to George Gorman, regional director of the New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation department. He expected more than 150,000 people to come by Sunday afternoon.
"This is the first time we’ve had anyone from Europe or the Middle East," Gorman said as the United Arab Emirates demo team flew overhead. "The 250th anniversary of the United States of America. That's what prompted it."
Oliver Christian, the British consul general in New York, looked up at the U.A.E. team.
"This is cool, isn't it?" he said. "250 years ago something amazing happened: The birth of America."
Why was the Royal Air Force on Jones Beach Sunday? "Just showing the commitment, the relationship between the UK and the U.S.," Christian said. "How deep it is on the military side, but also from our people and our values that hold us together as the longest-standing, deepest allies."
Meanwhile, Frank Gatto, 59, was strutting down the boardwalk wearing an Uncle Sam hat three times the size of his head.
“It's a privilege being here,” Gatto, of Farmingdale, said. “Our freedom, celebrating America’s birthday. I think it’s great.”
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