Why? Parades and airshows have no effect on military readiness, but seeing them does engender a certain pride on behalf of the taxpaying public. Watching our pilots in action always gives me a patriotic rush, just as it did in my active service days.
As a kid, seeing the Blue Angels fly F-4s during the Vietnam years was at least part of the motivator that led to my own Navy service and later aviation career.
Yeah - like we were really ready for Sept. 11th.