Army Set For Independence Day Celebrations

Army installations worldwide have scheduled activities from fireworks to freedom fests and patriotic salutes to celebrate the nation’s birthday this weekend. Soldiers in Baghdad will compete in a number of sports activities July 4 on the grounds of Saddam Hussein’s former palace near the embassy. Teams will battle each other in horseshoes, a tug of war contest, water balloon toss, pool volleyball and a basketball free throw competition in the palace pool. Independence Day celebrations are also planned in Afghanistan where the Indiana National Guard’s 76th Infantry Brigade will celebrate the holiday with a 5K run, softball and horseshoe tournaments, barbeque cookout and Tatar Tot eating contest at Camp Phoenix, near Kabul. The camp will also hold a casino night in which the proceeds will go toward a local orphanage. Army installations have been asked to take part in a national bell-ringing at 2 p.m. July 4 to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence 229 years ago. The Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution will host the traditional “Let Freedom Ring” observance in Philadelphia, as four young descendants of the declaration’s signers will ring the historic Liberty Bell 13 times, in honor of the 13 original U.S. colonies. Soldiers at Fort Hood will partake in their annual Freedom Fest, which will include 5K and 10K runs, carnival rides at Hood Stadium and live performances by the 4th Infantry Division’s show and Iron Horse bands. The post will also host a parachute club demonstration jump and a fireworks show to conclude the day-long celebration. Fireworks displays are also set to take place at Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Belvoir, Va.; and Fort Knox, Ky., to name just a few of the installations. Fort Myer, Va., will fire a 50-gun salute at noon, to reverberate across the nation’s capital. Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked the men and women of the military for their service to the nation in a July 4th message. “Every 4th of July we celebrate the values that bind us together as Americans and make our nation great—freedom, tolerance, and justice,” Myers said. “Whether you are serving in CONUS, Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere, the Joint Chiefs and I thank you for your selfless service to America.” While visiting Fort Bragg, N.C., for a nationally televised address June 28, President Bush thanked the Soldiers and other service men and women serving throughout the world, and asked that the nation honor them during the national holiday. “This Fourth of July,” Bush told the public, “I ask you to find a way to thank the men and women defending our freedom by flying the flag, sending a letter to our troops in the field, or helping the military family down the street.” The president said that civilians can learn ways to support troops during the 4th of July by visiting the Department of Defense’s “America Supports You” Web site at www.americasupportsyou.mil. Support messages can be sent to the troops via the Web site. “You can go there to learn about private efforts in your own community,” Bush said. “At this time when we celebrate our freedom, let us stand with the men and women who defend us all.”