Ride with us to Tattoo Published June 26, 2009 By Josh Aycock 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Many events are judged by visitors from the time the family car is parked until the time it arrives back home, and the people behind Air Force Materiel Command's Freedom's Call Tattoo have spent months preparing to send everyone home satisfied. The fifth annual Tattoo event, on the grounds of the National Museum of the United States Air Force Museum, will open its gates to the public at 4:30 p.m. June 26 to give its guests plenty of time to arrive and see the many attractions before Tattoo begins at 8 p.m. Again this year, Wright State University and The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority have partnered with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to ensure visitors both arrive and exit the show as quickly as possible. "We want everyone to get home quickly and safely," said Dave Egner, Tattoo Director. For the second year the partnership will provide a free service for visitors with more than 7,820 parking spaces at Wright State University's Nutter Center and about 10 Regional Transit Authority busses to shuttle visitors to the event. Parking lot #20 at the Nutter Center will be the main parking area this year's Tattoo. "Partnering with Wright-State and RTA again this year will help ensure everyone goes home happy," said Janet Harp, Tattoo sponsorship coordinator. Busses will run continuously from 4:30 to 11 p.m. and will reach drop-off points, located at parking lot #20 and at the Tattoo event, approximately every 10 minutes. Each bus is equipped with wheelchair lifts and an additional van will also shuttle those with disabilities. "We look forward to participating in another successful year for the Freedom's Call Tattoo," said Frank Ecklar, of planning for Dayton RTA. This year's event will showcase the ties between America's Greatest Generation of military heroes from WWII heroes and the veterans who serve in our Armed Services today. Attractions of this year's event include: aircraft flyovers, a world-class technology exhibit, a child-friendly playing area, food and beverage concessions, music and a dazzling fireworks display. Again this year, Tattoo will have a major country artist take the stage to perform for the crowd. Gold and platinum country music recording artist Aaron Tippin will take the stage to perform approximately an hour long set beginning at 9 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a camera. Please note for security reasons that coolers, backpacks, skateboards, in-line skates, weapons and glass bottles are not permitted. Strollers, infant diaper bags, cameras and their cases, small purses and pocketbooks are permitted, but subject to inspection. For more information, log onto www.wpafb.af.mil/tattoo Follow Tattoo updates on Twitter or MySpace: @AFMC_Now