July 4, 1998 (My Most Memorable Independence Day)

Everyone has favorites. A favorite person, a favorite movie a favorite holiday etc.. And for each one of those we all have a favorite moment to accompany each of these.

One of my favorite holidays is Independence Day. It is a chance to look back and reflect on the previous years freedoms. It is a time for family and friends to get together and really appreciate the life we live in the United States.

My favorite Independence Day was in 1998.

I was in my third month of what would end up being a 5.5-month deployment in Kuwait. I was part of a large build up near the Iraq border.

We didn't have many things for entertainment or celebration. The Services Squadron decided to host an Independence Day party. They barbecued the worst steak, hot dogs and hamburgers I have ever eaten. We joked all day long that it was really camel ass and goat balls. Since alcohol was not allowed in Kuwait we also had tons of near beer. If you've never tried a non-alcoholic beer don't bother, it will only piss you off.

They hosted games, such as a dunk tank, water volleyball, softball etc.
Needless to say it was a very good day, all four branches of the service came together to appreciate our freedoms, the freedoms we were all there to defend.

Like most events the celebration started with the posting of the colors. The honor guard was unique it consisted of Two US Airman and two British Royal Air Force Airman.

Near the end of the opening ceremonies an amazing thing happened; the Royal Air Force flew overhead in their Tornado fighter jets, during the fly over they performed a missing man formation. The Royal Air Force officer who was narrating the opening ceremonies said that the RAF wanted to show their appreciation for America and honor all Americans on their Independence Day.

Think about that for a moment. The country that we fought for our independence two hundred and twenty two years prior was honoring us. Everyone knows that England is our greatest ally and likely always will be, but that was the icing on the cake. The mutual respect that our two nations share could never have been more obvious than that moment when one jet peeled away from the formation as a symbol of all Americans that never returned home.

Enjoy your Independence and remember all who fight to keep it that way.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at July 4, 2004 10:54 AM