I can understand the reasoning behind not liking too much technological sound effects in a marching show, but nowadays it's becoming more and more common in the high school marching field to see/hear effects like that. Like the people that have posted before me said, in BOA GE points can be attained many different ways, and using sound effects is one of those ways that when used properly is very effective. Personally I liked the helicopter and bomb sounds because the band doesn't play while those are happening, but it's my own personal taste and not everyone will agree with me.
As for the grave markers, I wouldn't go so far as to call them cheap emotional tricks. The show is about honoring troops and fallen hero's, and the point of the graves is to incite an emotional reaction in the audience because that is what's supposed to happen. If you're going to have a show about honoring troops and fallen hero's, it needs to be emotional, otherwise it comes off as bland, common, and as many have stated, cheesy.