Photo by Spc. Derek Kuhn/40th PAO Hannah Heimann, daughter of Sgt. Brian Heimann, a student at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, enjoys the weather at Fort Bragg’s annual Independence Day celebration, July 4. Thousands of Soldiers, civilians and their families took part in the festivities which included a concert by the rock band, Chevelle, an aerial demonstration by the Army’s parachute team, the Golden Knights and a fireworks display.

“If the U.S. had never won its independence, the world would be a different place,” said Sgt. Bryan Heimann, Company A., 4th Student Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group. “We were first in equal rights and the first to attempt to compensate for our injustices. The U.S. was the first place where anyone, regardless of sex or race, could be free. ”

Thousands of Soldiers, Families and members of the local communities gathered for Fort Bragg’s 4th of July celebration at the Main Post Parade Field Sunday.

The celebration began at 3 p.m. with the opening of Kiddie Land, which featured a variety of inflatable houses and slides as well as a rock climbing wall for children.
“This is our first time coming to a Fort Bragg event and the whole Family is having a blast,” said Amber Heimann, Sgt. Bryan Heimann’s wife.

Up next, country musician Jamie Tate performed with the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus.

Shortly after the chorus finished, country musician Colt Ford began his performance on the main stage. Ford performed for an hour, ending the show with his hit “Chicken and Biscuits.”

“All the music has been fantastic,” Amber said. “It looked like the whole crowd was dancing at the end of the Colt Ford show.”

Ford’s concert was followed by the Golden Knights freefall parachute demonstration. The Golden Knights paid tribute to the Army and the state of North Carolina by flying their flags during the freefall demonstration.

“It was awesome!” Blake Flanagan, 8, exclaimed as he remembered the Golden Knights demonstration. “The red smoke was cool! I want to jump from planes when I grow up.”

Meanwhile, the rock band Chevelle, prepared to take the main stage.

“Chevelle was great; they sounded just like they do on their CD,” said Brandi Gee, the wife of Sgt. Matthew Gee.

While the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Band prepared to perform the national anthem, Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, took the stage thanking the schools, universities, the Fayetteville and Fort Bragg communities for lending the band instruments and sheet music.

The band’s 4th of July performance had been put in jeopardy after losing their equipment and sheet music when their building caught fire Friday. The band’s performance lasted about an hour.
The celebration concluded with a fireworks display that paid tribute to the birth of America.

“They (the fireworks) were great,” said Colby Flanagan, 10. “It was fun, because they shot off fast and made loud noises. I can’t wait until next year!”

Share