The roof of the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Lakeway parking garage was unusually packed for 3:30 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon, especially considering the hundreds of parking spaces that automobiles passed on their way to the top tier.

The reason more than 100 people gathered their the afternoon of May 13 was to witness the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the Lake Travis area.

It was just one stop on a two-metropolitan cruise that included San Antonio and multiple spots in Greater Austin, and the Thunderbirds made the flight as a salute to first responders and frontline workers who have continued their efforts throughout the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The roof of the Lakeway hospital's parking garage provided a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, much of which was crowded with cars and people who had also stopped that afternoon to get a glimpse of the fanfare.