AFMC Command News

AFMC Tattoo shares Air Force traditions with neighboring communities

  • Published
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Report
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Thanks to a partnership with the New York Says Thank You Foundation, Air Force Materiel Command Freedom's Call Tattoo kicked off June 24, 2011, with a spotlight on the National 9/11 Flag.

The foundation orchestrated the flag's stop in Ohio to sync up with Tattoo. During a stitching ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force here earlier in the day, service heroes from around the Miami Valley were joined by New York firefighters as they sewed the Ohio restorative patch onto the flag. Later, the flag was worked into the Tattoo program on the museum grounds.

Now in its seventh year, Tattoo attracted a crowd of about 75,000. The free show highlighted Air Force people and capabilities and was designed to show appreciation to the people of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, as well as neighboring communities for their support of the Air Force.

This year's theme for Tattoo was "Defending Liberty ... Home and Abroad." The event honored the men and women who served their country during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as those who continue to serve in today's operations. The night also included a special tribute recognizing the 10th year since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Headlining the evening's entertainment was the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight. The band, under the direction of Maj. R. Michael Mench, presented an hour-long musical narration of the show's theme in a performance entitled "A Nation Comes Together."

In addition to the Band of Flight, this year's guest performer was the country music group Lonestar. Since 1995, Lonestar has had 27 singles on the country charts, 10 of which reached number one. The band performed some of its biggest hits for the crowd, including "I'm Already There", "My Front Porch Looking In" and "Amazed", a crossover song that reached number one on both the country charts and the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999.

Tattoo also included crowd-pleasers that are featured every year -- such as a Technology Expo, aircraft flyovers and a spectacular fireworks finale.

For more photos and information about the annual Tattoo, visit www.wpafb.af.mil/tattoo.