Wright-Patterson's 'Freedom's Call' Tattoo set for June 27 Published May 2, 2008 By 1st. Lt. Holly Layer 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Officer WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- While Wright-Patterson's annual "Freedom's Call" Tattoo includes music, aircraft flyovers, presentations and fireworks, this year's show is the first to include a major musical entertainer: The Charlie Daniels Band. It will also present a chance to honor local organizations for their support of the troops, as well as feature unique aerial demonstrations. This year's show will be at 8 p.m. June 27 on the grounds of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. "The Charlie Daniels Band has traveled around the world in support of our deployed servicemen and women many times," said Dave Egner, "Freedom's Call" Tattoo director. The Charlie Daniels Band will join the stage with The Air Force Band of Flight to provide the evening's musical entertainment. When (Air Force Materiel Command's) Tattoo began three years ago, it was a chance to give back to the community, honor our service members and educate and thank those who support our troops everyday, Egner said. And that's exactly what this year's show is all about. "As the number of deployed personnel from around the greater Miami Valley grows, we began to realize the number of households affected by these deployments," Egner said. He said the show is designed this year to 'thank' the families and those organizations that help support the troops serving our country and their families. In doing so, five local organizations will be recognized for the services they provide to troops and their families: Blue Star Mothers (Miami Valley Chapter #3), Sew Much Comfort, The Hugs Project, The Thank You Foundation and Heroes Welcoming Heroes. These organizations all support deployed troops and their families in different ways, such as sending care packages, altering clothing to allow for wear with prosthetics and honoring the deployed member and their families upon their return. Another highlight of this year's Tattoo will be the technology displays set up in the spectator area. "Air Force Materiel Command develops many technologies and deploys those technologies through the world, and many in the local area may not know that," Egner said. Displays will be provided from AFMC, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Institute of Technology and the 88th Air Base Wing. "We want to give the community and chance to see what is developed behind the fence," Egner said. Every year's Tattoo features flyovers of various aircraft. This year's tentative lineup includes all active inventory aircraft. Included will be the A-10 Thunderbolt II, B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit , B-52 Stratofortress, C-5 Galaxy, C-130 Hercules, F-15 Strike Eagle and two F-16 Falcons. According to Egner, all the aircraft participating in the show will be on scheduled training missions, and as always, weather and mission requirements at their point of departure will dictate their availability for the show. Also making an appearance at the show will be a CV-22 Osprey that will deploy an assault team as it hovers near the beginning of the show, Egner said. This year's Tattoo will have one more surprise appearance from the air: Lt. Col. Rhonda Reichel, assigned here at AFRL, will parachute out of a Cessna 182 over the show displaying the American flag during the singing of the National Anthem. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.wpafb.af.mil/tattoo.