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Joint base celebrates America’s independence

  • Published
  • By Bill Addison
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Fireworks illuminated the night sky over Doughboy Field parade ground during the installation's annual Fourth of July celebration Wednesday.

The Independence Day celebration is a community outreach event open to the public to show appreciation to the surrounding communities and to celebrate the birth of this great nation.

Thousands of people from the tri-state area came out to the free event to celebrate the nation's independence.

Families enjoyed a multitude of activities including: bouncy castles, a stilt walker, magician and face painting while the Jersey Shore's own Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes rocked the crowd through a combination of blues and classic rock music.

"This is a great partnership with our community and we're happy to share our base and our fireworks show tonight," said Col. John Wood, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander, who thanked the crowd members for their attendance.

Wednesday's celebration was a first for the Carlson family of Jackson, N.J., who recently moved to the area from New York.

"We just moved to the local area and were looking for something close by to watch the fireworks," said Heinrich Carlson. His wife, Liz, added that they wanted to come out and show support for local service members as well.

"My brother was in the Navy, so when we saw this was being put together by our troops, we knew we wanted to join in and be part of it," she said.

The event also attracted the Stevens family, of Marlton, N.J., who has been attending for the past five years.

"We love it," said Shila Stevens, wife of Army Capt. Robert Stevens of the New Jersey National Guard's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. "We love the feel, the entertainment, all of the activities. It's very family oriented."

For her son Charlie, the annual tradition is about much more than music and fireworks.

"I come here for the funnel cake," he said.