"I Love America" concert at St. Aloysius Catholic Church from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Honoring the flag, remembering the fallen and celebrating the country’s 239th birthday – what better way to spend a warm summer evening?

Amercian Legion Post 2011 from Lake View presented the colors. (Courtesy of St. Aloysius Catholic Church)

That was the mission of the third annual “I Love America!” concert, held before a packed St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Bessemer Friday, June 26.

Mission accomplished.

Lake View American Legion Post 2011 kicked things off with a presentation of the colors. Legion members, including Lt. Col. Michael Tomberlin of the Alabama Army National Guard and Alabama Power, carried flags representing the U.S. military services and, of course, the Stars and Stripes.

The church choir, led by Director Ellen Albright, sang each branch’s anthem as the Legion members marched smartly down the aisle.

“The patriotism they show here, I want to get up and march,” said retired U.S. Marines Maj. Don Brooks, who carried the Marine Corps flag. “It’s just a wonderful event they put together to honor our veterans and our troops.”

Blue Star Salute Foundation had erected a memorial to Alabama’s Fallen Heroes complete with photos. (Courtesy of St. Aloysius Catholic Church)

The fallen were not forgotten. A POW/MIA (prisoners of war/missing in action) flag was carried by Brookwood High School junior ROTC student Tori Nash. In true American Legion tradition, a Missing Man Table was set with an empty chair and place setting.

In the foyer, the Blue Star Salute Foundation had erected a memorial to Alabama’s Fallen Heroes complete with photos.

“They say we’re the great people,” said Milton Rayburn, 92, a World War II Army veteran who served in Burma. “But no, the people that died for us, the ones we left over there, are the great ones.”

The choir sings a patriotic song. (John Herr/Alabama NewsCenter)

The first song in the program was “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” appropriate for an evening in which the grace of God was invoked to watch over our troops. “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” followed.

Next, an all-female trio belted out “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” Another talented trio, the Waylighters, sang several gospel hymns.

One of the highlights was Voices of the South, the performing chorus of the Central Alabama Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Their show-stopping renditions of “God Bless the U.S.A.” and “I’ll Walk with God” drew standing ovations.

“There’s just a special feeling when you do songs that are patriotic to your country, and that thank God for letting you live in a country that’s this free,” Albright said.

Much of the evening was dedicated to rousing sing-alongs such as “Yankee Doodle,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “This Land is Your Land.” During John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” children in the audience were given flags to wave while marching through the aisles – some with more military precision than others.

It was a reminder of a very important upcoming birthday.

Voices of the South sing “God Bless the U.S.A.” (John Herr/Alabama NewsCenter)

“It means a lot,” said Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chris Linn, 19. “It means this whole country, independence, everything.”

“The greatness of this country and its independence and being able to live here is amazing,” said his brother Ryan Linn, who handled bugling duties for the night.

“It’s a time to rejoice,” said Billy Howard, commander of American Legion Post 2011.
As the final tune, “God Bless America,” rang out, many reflected on a grand old night of fellowship, pride and patriotism.

“This is something I’m honored to take part in and I look forward to every year,” Tomberlin said. “I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Children carried flags and marched to “Stars and Stripes Forever” during the program. (John Herr/Alabama NewsCenter)

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As you and your family prepare for the July 4 festivities, the American Legion is happy to help you with your flag. Go to their website – www.legion.org – for the procedures to handle and display your flag, and for the proper disposal of your unserviceable flag at your local Legion post. You’ll also find information on pre-ordering the Legion’s booklet, “Indivisible: The Story of Our Flag,” available in November.