Without aviation our country wouldn't be where it is today, not only is it essential for modern day transportation, but it provides enormous benefits to our economy. But it is failing, prices are sky rocketing, FAA is making more and more legal issues to deal with and the government in general really makes it hard on the general aviation pilots to stay flying.
Air shows provide huge boosts to local economy and the main reason for that is the military participation. Studies show that twice as many people turn out at air shows when the ThunderBirds or Blue Angels perform. These air shows generate millions of dollars each year and encourage thousands of youth to pursue flying, these air shows are more then just shows, they keep people flying. Without the military, they aren't the same.