MONROE -- Mason Kirkpatrick gazed at the bright yellow de Havilland Tiger Moth with wonder.

“It’s pretty cool,” the 10-year-old, self-proclaimed World War II buff said about the double-decker fighter plane used for the Allies during the war. Kirkpatrick admitted he did not know the Tiger Moth before the pilot educated him about it, but had earlier picked out a P-51 Mustang with ease.

“I’m a fan of World War II,” Kirkpatrick said. “The dog fighting, high in the sky shooting of enemy aircraft.”

Kirkpatrick and his family joined thousands at the fourth annual Warriors and Warbirds Air Show at the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport Saturday to check out historic war planes, watch sky divers and take in an explosive air show.

Throughout the day, planes made dazzling maneuvers and roared passed the crowd lined up along the runway. Kids waved American flags and veterans strutted their army regalia.

“This is really a great day and a great show,” Monroe Mayor Bobby Kilgore said. “It helps bring back the memories.” The Monroe City Council has touted the air show as the county’s best annual event and council members frequently brag on the success of the Veterans Day celebration.

Korean War veteran Johnny Hill took in all the sights and reflected on what being a veteran means to him.

“I’m proud to be an American first of all,” he said. “I’m here because others believe like I do and were willing to lay their lives on the line for it.”

Kilgore echoed Hill. “Veterans Day, to me, means freedom for the United States.”

This year, the Memphis Belle was featured as one of the main attractions. Although not the actual B-17 that was used in war, it was the actual machine used to film the movie. By chance, actor Matthew Modine, who starred in the 1990 film Memphis Belle, was in the area to shoot a film in Monroe. He was on hand at the airport, answering questions about the movie and the aircraft.

“I actually got to fly it,” he said with a smile. “It was 15 minutes of sheer terror.”

In a serious tone he said how honored he was to work on a film that depicted heroic acts from World War II. “It just has such an emotional impact on people,” he said. “I’ve never met a soldier who prays for war, ... but I’m glad they are there to answer the call.”

The real Memphis Belle was named after pilot Robert Morgan’s Memphis, Tenn., girlfriend, Margaret Polk. It was the first bomber to return to the United States after completing 25 missions, though was not the first to actually complete 25 missions. The plane’s maximum speed was clocked at 325 mph and could carry 8,000 pounds in bomb ammunition. Of 12,731 planes built, only 47 still exist today.

The air show continues today. Gates open at 9 a.m. and the air show will begin at noon.

Today:

Gates open: 9 a.m.

Air Show begins: Noon

Expected end time: 4 p.m.