Photo By Cpl. Terry Haynes | The Tri-Command celebrated Independence Day aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris...... read more read more
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The Tri-Command celebrated Independence Day aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island July 4.
Marines, Sailors, their families and citizens of the Lowcountry celebrated the holiday with various foods, performances by the Parris Island Marine Corps Band, a booth on Marine Corps history, and ended with a fireworks display at sunset.
“We have been coming to Parris Island to celebrate Independence Day every year since I’ve been stationed here,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Weathern, a drill instructor with Echo Company aboard Parris Island. “The food is great, the people are awesome, and they always have the most amazing fireworks.”
According to the Library of Congress, On July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence announcing the colonies’ secession from the Kingdom of Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday and in 1941 the holiday was expanded to grant a paid holiday for all federal employees.
“Freedom to me means having the right to speak and think freely”, said Laura Henthorne, a local Beaufort resident “I’ve been to dozens of Fourth of July celebrations throughout my life and this one has done a good job of helping the local community understand why these freedoms come with a cost and that they should not be taken for granted.”
Dozens of Marines and Sailors from the Tri-Command came to volunteer for the event. Volunteers helped set up tents, displays, operated game stations, directed traffic as well as posted security.
“I was surprised at the amount of people who came out today,” said Cpl. Vivian Alstead, a volunteer at the event. “It is really awesome to see all of these people come out and celebrate our nation’s birthday together.”
As the evening came to a close, MCRD Parris Island performed one of the Marine Corps’ oldest and most hallowed traditions, evening colors. Three Marines march to the flagpole and are responsible for the care and keeping of the American flag. After the playing of evening colors the fireworks began.
“Now that we are in peacetime it is really easy to forget why we fight,” Weathern said. “I don’t think anywhere else in the world does a better job than Parris Island of recognizing and honoring the sacrifices made by the men and women who have fought and defended that freedom that we all hold so dear. My family and I will definitely be back again next year.”
| Date Taken: | 07.05.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.05.2018 14:11 |
| Story ID: | 283326 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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