Patriotism, Pageantry and Passion. And Progressive Propaganda.

We were fortunate to hear the North Carolina Symphony last week as part of its Red, White and Blue Tour. The tour was designed to pay tribute to the men and women who have kept America safe for generations with concerts at three North Carolina military installations, including MCAS Cherry Point.

The MCAS Base Theater is the largest theater in North Carolina and seats approximately 2,000. The concert was sold out and the theater filled early; our group went out to dinner first, then found and greeted other friends at the theater, all as enthusiastic as we, in anticipation of an evening of patriotic music.

For those readers who haven't attended a military movie, sporting event, or any other official function... it always begins with the playing of The Star Spangled Banner. Something I've experienced since my birth.

My father was a World War II veteran, ball turret gunner on B24s with 50 missions over the European Theater and based in Benghazi, Libya. He went on to retire from the United States Air Force. My earliest memories are of standing, with hand over my heart, at the playing of our National Anthem at the beginning of a basketball game or movie. A memory made even more powerful because we were overseas, far away from our American home.