Geckoman
Joined: 07 Jun 2007
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 Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:16 am Post subject: HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Info about ID4 Festivities in Korea! |
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HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
I would like to wish a Happy Forth of July to all Americans in Korea.
On July 4th, 1776, our great nation was born.
That event changed the world for the better.
Though we are abroad and far away from the USA, we should never forget the importance of that day, and of the great sacrifice of those men and women who fought for our country's freedom and independence from tyranny and repression.
Below is:
(1) Some interesting info about what happened to those 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence.
(2) Some info about 4th of July festivities on an American base that the public is invited to � the details of the festivities and how to get a pass to get on base is at the end of the article and I�ve underlined and put in bold that part.
If you know of any other ID4 events in Korea, please post them on this thread.
Some ID4 events may be held over the weekend of July 5th (Saturday) or 6th (Sunday), instead of the actual 4th (Friday), as the 4th is not a Korean holiday so most non-military Americans will be working on that day.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
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(1) 4th of July and Patriotism
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the
Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before
they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons
serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the
Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were
farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But
they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that
the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships
swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and
properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to
move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without
pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from
him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton,
Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr., noted that the British
General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his
headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire.
The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed
his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13
children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste.
For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to
find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died
from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and
sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-
rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education.
They had security, but they valued liberty more.
Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged:
"For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of
the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor."
They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history
books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary
War. We didn't fight just the British.
We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own
government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we
shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday
and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they
paid. Remember: freedom is never free!
It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth
of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.
Thank you and God bless. |
| Quote: |
(2) Info about ID4 Festivities in Korea!
The details of the festivities and how to get a pass to get on base to attend them is at the end of the article and I�ve underlined and put in bold that part.
Americans invite Koreans to celebrate July 4th
Every Fourth of July the American servicemen and women serving at the U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan come together to enjoy one of their most important holidays.
They may be satisfied with their stay in this country and not in a hurry to return home, but they still have a strong desire to celebrate their Independence Day in the traditional way, which includes lots of food and fireworks.
Sgt. Katie Herndon, 26, is a seven-year veteran of the U.S. military. However, she, her husband David and their 4-year-old daughter have only been in Korea for a month and a half. Though she misses her family members who remain in America, the sights and experiences to be found in her new country of residence have so far kept her too distracted for homesickness.
"I don`t miss it that much but I`m sure in a couple of months I will," Herndon said.
Because she`s such a recent arrival in Korea - and possibly because she is eight months pregnant - she has had only a few experiences outside of the Seoul area. She expects to have plenty of time to see more, however, as she will be stationed here until at least May 2010.
"It`s been really good; everybody`s really nice in my unit," she said. "It`s really family-oriented."
It may actually be the family aspect of the Fourth of July festivities that she most looks forward to, since she expects her daughter will enjoy the fireworks and the activities for children.
Herndon and other Americans will probably get to witness the celebration of Korea`s Liberation Day in a little more than a month`s time, so tomorrow`s events will show interested Koreans what their American counterparts like to do.
"It`s important so that (Americans) don`t forget where they came from, and so that the Koreans can see how we celebrate our holidays," Herndon said.
As a civilian working as a family readiness assistant for the U.S. military, Rose Amian is one of those who helps to maintain the garrison`s family-friendly atmosphere.
Since coming to this country two and a half years ago, she has missed life in America sometimes, she said, but has grown to love a lot about Korea.
"I like the culture here," she said, adding that her most memorable experiences here have involved the Korean people, Korean food and particularly driving in Korea`s crowded cities.
"I think I became a more aggressive driver," she said. "(But) I think it`s the same in other Asian countries."
Amian, 25, does not sound desperate to return home yet, but the July Fourth festivities still mean a lot to her.
"I should say (the most important thing is) the unity, bringing everybody together and just seeing what it means to them," she said. She cites the event`s food and fireworks as the things she looks forward to the most about this year`s event, especially since last year`s celebration was somewhat spoiled by rain.
"We`re probably going to have a big turnout," she said. "We`re hoping to have good weather this year."
In addition to the 25,000-member community at the garrison, the event is available to those with a guest pass, which is generally reserved to those who have a connection to the garrison.
"Special guest passes are available for certain Korean citizens that do not currently hold an installation access pass," said garrison spokesman David McNally.
"These passes are for friends and family of (Koreans participating in the Good Neighbor program), family members of employees and friends of pass holders."
McNally has been serving here for eight years and has always considered Yongsan`s celebration a special one. Typically, about 5,000 base personnel and guests gather for the festivities, he said.
"You get together as a community, you invite the neighbors and show them how we celebrate our independence," said McNally.
"It`s always good to celebrate your patriotism together and commemorate our freedoms."
According to the garrison`s website, the event starts with live music performances at noon on Friday. A CYS youth dance performance and magic show will follow with bands taking the stage again at 1:45 p.m.
At 2:30 p.m. there will be a martial arts demonstration, followed by an international dance club and watermelon eating contest.
At 3:30 p.m. there will be a naturalization ceremony. Here, 17 individuals serving with the U.S. military, including two Koreans, will take oaths to become American citizens.
A B-Boy performance takes place at 5 p.m., and some Korean flavor will be added during the Nanta performance at 4:30 p.m.
The event`s headliner, country singer Sherrie Austin, will take the main stage at Collier Field House at 6:30 p.m.
The 8th U.S. Army Band will perform at 8 p.m., and the event will be capped by the 20-minute fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Most of the events are subject to weather, but in case of rain the naturalization ceremony and Sherrie Austin performance will take place inside Collier Field House.
For a complete listing of events, visit the garrison`s website (yongsan.korea.army.mil).
For information on obtaining a guest pass, call (02) 795-7011.
By Rob York
([email protected])
2008.07.03
Source: The Korea Herald; July 3rd, 2008; www.koreaherald.com
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