Audience member rose in support of America as a giant flag fell from the ceiling on Thursday at the “Call to Duty: A Veterans Day Tribute” concert.

The concert opened and closed with audience members standing to show their patriotism during the “Star-Spangled Banner” and the “National Emblem March” played by the Eastern Wind Symphony.

The annual concert focused on pieces that showed American patriotism and support for the nations veterans.

Alicia Neal, the wind symphony conductor and the director of bands, said she was happy to play a role in one of Eastern’s traditions.

“It’s nice to step in here and have that in place and to know that that is something I am excited to do,” Neal said.

Another tradition was a giant flag falling from the ceiling during the last piece of the concert. The flag fell and the entire audience stood in respect for the veterans and the country.

The concert also had a guest performance from Five Star Brass, a trombone quintet from the 144th Army Band of the Illinois Army National Guard.

The group performed four pieces that honored the veterans.

Staff Sgt. Blake Ozier said he thought the concert was a good sign of respect and he was a glad to be part of it.

“It’s nice to be there with veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq and Afghanistan,” Ozier said.

A major tradition for this concert is the playing of the “Armed Forces Salute” where members of the audience who are current or past military members stood when their branch was played.

Eastern oboe player Danielle McKenzie, a senior music major, said it is important to show they still have support after they stopped fighting.

“I think by giving these veterans a chance to hear their branch of military, their songs played, that’s important to them,” McKenzie said. “It shows them that we as a younger generation are acknowledging the sacrifices they have made for us.”

After the piece Neal asked the members to stand again so that the members of the wind symphony could see them, about half of the audience members stood.

“I was surprised to see so many of them and I hope that they’ll come back,” Neal said.

Jessica Huffman, a freshman finance major at Parkland College in Champaign, said she was happy to see something that honored current and previous military members.

Huffman is enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard and is in the same unit as the Five Star Brass.

“Since I’m in the band, I don’t always see all the action, but for those who give their lives every day and give up their freedoms to protect the ones they love and care about, it’s just a small why to give back to them and say thank you,” Huffman said.

She said her favorite part was the “Armed Forces Salute.”

“I’m always a fan of the service medley just so I can see who all the prior veterans are and who I’m currently serving with,” Huffman said.

Another veteran, who has served in the Marine Corps and the Illinois Army National Guard, John Lawson said he enjoyed the music and was glad it honored Veterans.

“It brought back memories, a lot of them old songs we marched to, had parades to,” Lawson said.

He spent four years in the Marines and five years in the National Guard.

Neal said concerts like this are important.

“In an election year, it is especially important to reflect upon the liberties that we have and the freedoms that we have in this country,” Neal said. “I’m very thankful for the service men and women who put themselves in harms way for our safety and freedom.”

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].