The military has always been very strong in my community. Very few sailors, some Air Force, but mostly Marines and Army. And because one of the largest National Guard bases in the country is just down the road, a lot of the young people that do a hitch in the Army, go into the Guard. Many of them full-time.
The military gives these kids opportunity. Maybe they want the training that is sometimes offered, maybe they serve a hitch in the infantry and then use their benefits to go to school or maybe they just want the extra check the NG provides.
Regardless, because so many serve, we accord them a lot of respect and gratitude. There's also that small community natural patriotism that exists. And for many, it's a legacy thing.