Atlantans began gathering in Midtown Saturday to catch a glimpse of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds flyover in honor of people working on the front lines amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The flyover began at 1:35 p.m. and residents in and around metro Atlanta tweeted their excitement over the #AmericaStrong flyover.
» RELATED: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds to fly over Atlanta Saturday in honor of frontline workers
Several people posted about the crowds forming — some with social distancing — ahead of the flyover.
.@Atlanta_Police finally arrived to assist with traffic and crowd control on the Jackson Street Bridge while everyone awaits the flyover of the @BlueAngels and @AFThunderbirds. #AmericaStrong pic.twitter.com/Aj8SrJzSPu
— Thomas D Bradley (@ThomasDBradley) May 2, 2020
Lots of people gathered at Peachtree Street Bridge for Blue Angels and Thunderbirds Atlanta Flyover. #SendTheLoveATL #AmericaStrong pic.twitter.com/uKDD4Nug6o
— Lynox R. Norman (@LynoxATL) May 2, 2020
Then, picturesque images and videos emerged as the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flew over Georgia’s capital city. Former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens and the AJC’s Pete Corson were among those tweeting footage.
The sound of freedom - in honor of Responders. pic.twitter.com/dzg4dbiEi6
— Sam Olens (@samolens) May 2, 2020
That was super cool. #AmericaStrong pic.twitter.com/jl8zKsUOCE
— Savannah Viar (@savannahviar) May 2, 2020
We're sky high to see the US Navy @BlueAngels + USAF @AFThunderbirds soar over #MidtownATL for their salute to frontline COVID-19 responders. #AmericaStrong #AloneTogether pic.twitter.com/ISLZC06Jpt
— Midtown Atlanta (@MidtownATL) May 2, 2020
The #AmericaStrong flyover with the @BlueAngels and @AFThunderbirds was really cool! Thanks for honoring our frontline workers! #atlanta #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/bgXJIO90mz
— Justin Abraham (@jjabraham) May 2, 2020
Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flying over Emory (taken at the Fernbank Museum). pic.twitter.com/8nJszHVHQ7
— Pete Corson (@petecorson) May 2, 2020
Afterward, many expressed their gratitude to the Blue Angels, Thunderbirds and the first responders on the front lines of the ongoing pandemic.
Just saw the @BlueAngels flyover for Atlanta! So amazing, and even more inspiring that I would have imagined! Very cool.
— Melanie Olmstead (@MMOlmstead2020) May 2, 2020
THANK YOU to those fighting this pandemic and to those who made the flyover possible.#InThisTogether #AmericaStrong https://t.co/ritszonySW
Thank you to the #BlueAngels and #thunderbirds for the flyover at the #Atlanta #covid test site. #atlantacovidheroes pic.twitter.com/ZexxD7yGM8
— Dan Badstubner (@dan_cvs) May 2, 2020