A star-spangled tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces played out for thousands of local military personnel and their families Saturday night in the Conference Center, featuring not only military anthems but Christmas music.

Christian music star Sandi Patty joined the Band of the Air Force Reserve to open the concert with her augmented version of the national anthem against a backdrop of lighted Christmas trees and holly draping the dais, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir providing background.

Engineers projected red, white and blue onto the backdrop behind the building's huge organ case, which became part of the evening's set for a TV and radio taping set to be broadcast both at home and abroad later this year.

Gen. Bruce Carlson, Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, opened the holiday portion of the tape-recorded concert with a message to U.S. troops around the globe, who will hear the broadcast on Christmas Day via Armed Forces Radio.

While music tends to hearten those away from home, the Christmas favorite, "I'll Be Home For Christmas," is the most requested by troops during the holidays, he said, noting the longing many acutely experience for family and friends.

"I wish to send each of you a special holiday greeting," he said, expressing thanks for "your efforts to ensure the safety, security and freedom of this great nation and many others throughout the world who are unable to secure those blessings for themselves."

Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, chief of the Air Force Reserve Command, praised "the selfless gift of service given by our thousands of men and women in uniform," during a season known for giving. "We know the sacrifice each of you makes is for an incredible cause: freedom... .You are an inspiring legacy of strength and hope to the world."

The performances ranged from Christmas and Hanukkah music to military anthems, hymns and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's signature "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Hosts for the evening were Tennessee broadcasters Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, long-time TV broadcasters on The Nashville Network and hosts of a daily radio show.

The event was also taped for television use by the humanitarian organization Feed the Children, whose invitation brought Patty to the Conference Center. "Feed the Children hasn't forgotten there won't be a lot of children who won't have that experience" that most American children enjoy with wide-eyed anticipation, opening gifts on Christmas morning, she said.

Following the Christmas concert, the choir, band and orchestra performed the anthems for each of the five service branches — the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard — as audience members stood to applaud at various points for their respective branch of the military.

Thirty-one Utah servicemen who lost their lives in Iraq were then memorialized with their photos, names, branch of service, hometown and date of death shown on the giant screens inside the hall, as bagpipers played a tribute.

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E-mail: carrie@desnews.com