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Posted on 07/03/2007 5:56:27 PM PDT by Mrs.Nooseman
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Happy 4th to you!
It’s GOOD to be an American!!!
:-)
Happy Independence Day, fellow Freepers. God bless us all and God bless the great United States of America.
Happy 4th GOP_Lady(((Hugs)))
Thank you Kathy.
Awaiting more!
Happy Independence Day Sand!
What a wonderful community you have, and an awesome celebration today!
Thanks Kathy!
{{HUGS}}
It is nice. Don’t see such plans in Tucson or Phoenix.
Oh my...what a house full...Love and joy all around!
And what fun to be in a big wonderful family!!! ;-)
*hugs* ;-)
We had our grandgirls first and what a difference for me. They were sweeties!
I could have just squeezed them both.
And shopping for them. Wow!!!
I found it much easier to shop for boys! Being as I had 2.
But I got used to it! ;-)
Then the grandboys came. What fun!!! We still love it! I hope it never ends!!! ;-)
One year...instead of buying big rocks...we went to the river to pick them up.
I came home with such a case of poisin ivy that it cost me more than if I had bought the rocks! ;-)))
Your community is very fortunate that you continue the great traditional July 4th celebration.
Worked a festival and fireworks show here last night, and the evening was dedicated to all our Troops and Veterans. It was great!
Wish Tucson would wake up.
Happy Independence Day to you too Mrs.N.
I watched our parade earlier, and now I’ve been outside watching the rain.
BOO..
America Supports You: Concert Kicks Off Fourth of July Festivities for TroopsBy Carmen L. GleasonAmerican Forces Press Service |
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| WASHINGTON, July 4, 2007 – The owners of a musical landmark on the outskirts of the nation’s capital and a vocalist who uses her talents to entertain U.S. troops kicked off Fourth of July festivities for local servicemembers here last night as a way of thanking them for their service. Gary Oelze and Ralph Capobianco, co-owners of the Birchmere Music Hall, closed their doors to the general public to treat about 150 veterans, reservists and active-duty military to an evening of free food. Then musician Jenny Boyle and her band took the stage to “wow” the crowd as she belted out a mix of original work and classic hits that had the crowd hanging on her every syllable. “We’ve both been in the service,” said Capobianco, a former Naval aviator. “We were pleased to close off the venue for our servicemembers.” Oelze, a former Air Force pilot, said it was a fun way to thank the crowd for their military service. Boyle is no stranger to military audiences. The singer has traveled to 26 countries to perform for troops, in addition to performing multiple times at the Pentagon and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, D.C.
“This is how I thank these folks for what they do on a daily basis for our freedom,” she said of her performance. “We have the best men and women serving our armed forces,” she said. “And there’s nothing I love more than telling them that.” |
| Related Sites: America Supports You Landstuhl Hospital Care Project Operation First Response Birchmere Music Hall |
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Nearly 600 U.S. Troops Reenlist in Baghdad on Independence DayBy Marine Sgt. Jess KentAmerican Forces Press Service |
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| BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 4, 2007 – Hundreds of troops gathered at Al Faw Palace for the Multi-National Force-Iraq Reenlistment, Naturalization and Independence Day Ceremony today at Camp Victory. During the ceremony, 588 troops reenlisted and 161 were naturalized as American citizens.
“First, by conducting what surely is the largest reenlistment event ever held in Iraq and perhaps in our Armed Forces’ history, then by celebrating the granting of American citizenship to a group of troopers who have already pledged their loyalty to our nation by putting their lives on the line for it, and finally by observing the 231st birthday of our great country,” he said. Petraeus said the troops who reenlisted on Independence Day, most while serving on a second or third deployment to a combat zone, have made a decision based on far more than any bonus they may receive. “No bonus, no matter the size, can adequately compensate you for the contribution each of you has made and continues to make as a custodian of our nation’s defenses,” he said. “Nor can any amount of money compensate you adequately for the sacrifices you make serving here in Iraq or the burdens your loved ones face at home in your absence. And we certainly cannot put a price on the freedoms you defend or those we are trying to help the Iraqis establish and safeguard here in the land of the two rivers.” Petraeus then dedicated the Independence Day ceremony in honor of two soldiers who died fighting for America before they could be sworn in as citizens. “Sgt. Kimel Watt and Spc. Farid Elazzouzi, who would have been in your ranks here this morning, were lost in recent combat action, giving the last full measure of devotion for a country that would have become fully theirs today,” Petraeus said. “Words can not express the admiration I feel for these two men or the sadness I feel for our nation’s loss and their families’ sacrifice.” Petraeus said the deaths are reminders that freedom comes at a very high cost, which must never be forgotten. Like these two soldiers, who fought and died with the American flag on their shoulders, he said the troops being naturalized as U.S. citizens were most deserving. “When you enlisted into the Armed Forces you swore to support and defend a Constitution that did not yet fully apply to you,” Petraeus said. “You chose to endure the same sacrifices as your fellow comrades in arms to preserve the freedom of a land that was not yet fully yours. You accepted that you might have to pay the ultimate price on behalf of a nation to which you did not fully belong. Now, you will officially become citizens of the United States, a country to which each of you has already borne true faith and allegiance in your hearts and your deeds.” Army Pfc. Yaremi Boza, a human resources specialist with the 260th Military Intelligence Battalion, is one of those citizens. She migrated from Cuba to Florida as a child in 1995 and believes the Independence Day ceremony opened a lot of doors for her as an American citizen. “I’m glad that I can be here to get my citizenship,” she said. “It means being able to take care of myself and my family and having lots of opportunities and windows open. It’s a great feeling to know at the end of the day that you’re a part of the country you’re fighting for.” After Jonathan Scharfen, the deputy director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, administered the Oath of Citizenship to the new U.S. citizens, Arizona Senator John McCain provided congratulatory remarks on behalf of the U.S. Senate. “I know it’s not possible for even the most grateful nation to compensate you in kind for the measure of devotion that you have with great personal sacrifice given our country,” McCain said. “We have incurred a debt to you that we can never repay in full. We can offer you only the small tribute of our humility.” The senator said that when a nation goes to war, a million tragedies ensue. War is a terrible thing, but McCain said it is not the worst thing. “You know that - you who have endured the dangers and deprivations of war so that the worst thing would not befall us, so that America might be secure in our freedom,” he said. “As you know, the war in which you have fought has divided the American people. But it has divided no American in their admiration for you. We all honor you.” McCain’s remarks were followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, and the ceremony concluded with recognition of all 50 states in America. |
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