Thousands Flock to McEntire for Expo

It's the sound, and sight, that these folks have been waiting ten years for. "Both the Army and the Air side have been deployed at least every other year, and we had a little lull in the action before we go away again next year. So we figured it's a good time to share our story with the people of South Carolina," explains Major Brent Allen.

For Allen, the wait is all worth it seeing the squint in their eyes as they focus on what's above. "There's nothing people like more than an air show and it's loud and it's fast at show center and the best thing is seeing the kid in everybody when they see these aircraft come by," he says.

Some of the audience were seeing the sights for the first time and had good reason to watch. Sgt. Scott Nelson was a part of the ground show and brought his family to see the action. "We're gonna be rescuing the downed pilot," he explains of his role, "I love being in the National Guard, I love serving my country and my state as well. Any time I can do that for the public, to present a positive image, it's a good thing."

A few spectators came out for memories of their own first experience. "I used to come out here as a little girl," recalls Chapin resident Martie Talbert, "It was a big family event."

She's planning to share all of the exhilaration with the next generation - her class of third graders. "I'm gonna show them my pictures and just tell them the role that South Carolina plays in Afghanistan or Iraq," she says.

Seeing a parachuter floating down to Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American," she says, "They're playing that while this guy's coming down and then, just the goose bumps. It makes you appreciate what you have."