The Rev. Matt Fitzgerald's letter ("End the air show," Aug. 30), was almost too absurd to warrant a response; however, I do not wish his to be the only voice heard regarding the Blue Angels' outstanding performance last weekend. With all due sympathy and respect to the reverend's grieving parishioner, there will never be a time in a city as large as Chicago in which an air show, or any large and noisy event, will not disturb someone. This does not give cause to forgo these events. While the reverend is correct that the sound of jets may traumatize some who were in combat environments, that same noise also motivates and reassures those being protected by American air power. I have witnessed this. Fitzgerald states that the Air and Water Show this year was tone-deaf, given occurrences of violence and the presence of refugees in the city. I counter that events such as the Air and Water Show demonstrate our resilience as a society, in that we find reason to celebrate despite adversity. Also, further than entertaining, military demonstration teams reassure American citizens that they are protected by a well-trained, well-equipped and professional fighting force. Finally, the reverend may wish to reflect on his comparison of the Blue Angels display to North Korea or Nazi Germany.