WEST NEWTON, Pennsylvania — As the sun dipped below the horizon of the Laurel Mountains off in the distance of the Evergreen Drive-In Theater, families with children were spread out on their sleeping blankets in front of their cars. A cluster of couples were sitting in folding chairs, enjoying each other’s company.

Then, they all stood and placed their hands over their hearts. They joined together in singing the national anthem as it was played across all three screens.
They remained standing and sang along with the images on the screen to Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” immediately after that. Seasoned attendees can always tell who the newbies are to the experience — they’re the ones moved to tears and wonder on their faces.