Fort Campbell salutes America’s Soldiers on Independence Day

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Fort Campbell, KY – The 4th of July festivities concluded with the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Welcome Home Concert and Fireworks Show. The event expresses the communities gratitude for the sacrifices that the soldiers and their families at Fort Campbell makes for our country.

The day opened with an invocation, followed by a short speech by 101st Airborne Division Commander Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell in which he dedicated the day to those both here at home, and in off in far flung war zones who are serving our country.

A member of the 101st Airborne Division Parachute Demonstration Team comes in streaming the U. S. Flag

Afterward the 101st Airborne Division Parachute Team gave a demonstration of their skills. One of the jumpers streamed the American flag behind him as he descended towards the ground.

The Salute to the 50 States had to be one of the most impressive parts of the day. One by one the name of each state was called, out along with the date they became a state was listed in the order of their admission to the union. As each name was called out a gun from battery of six 120mm howitzers from the 1st Battery of the 320th Field Artillery fired a single shot in salute. Flame erupted from the barrel of the artillery piece as the loud report echoed across the field.

The entertainment for the evening had a decidedly country flair with Jacob Lyda and Laura Bell Bundy keeping the troops entertained until it was time for the fireworks show to begin.

The soldiers and family members packed close to the stage. Many of them danced in time to the music as the white bar of light from the spotlight passed over their heads.

Jacob Lyda performing for the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell

With a traditional honky-tonk style Jacob Lyda was sure to be a hit with the troops. A Country boy from a small town in Northern Alabama, Lyda had joined a band by the time he was 16. In spite of recently losing his home, and some prize antique trucks; performing for the soldiers at Fort Campbell on Independence Day was clearly a milestone for him. Lyda has expressed an interest in performing for the soldiers over seas. “I would leave tomorrow if I could do so.”

With her wholesome looks Laura Bell Bundy looks like the girl next door. She has a sweet sound, and dances with unbridled spirit. A native of Lexington, KY, Bundy studied at the Town and Village School of Dance in Paris, KY, before beginning her professional career at age 9 when she starred in Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular in New York. She soon landed a film role in Ruthless, but she returned to Kentucky at age 14 to fulfill her desire to have a normal high school experience.

While in high school she began writing poetry and melodies. After graduating, she returned to New York to attend New York University and landed a recurring role on the daytime drama, The Guiding Light. Bundy then went on to star in Broadway hits, including Hairspray and Wicked, and appeared in several television shows and movies such as Dream Girls, Jumanji, Life With Mikey and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. She earned a Tony nomination for originating the role of Elle Woods in the Broadway musical, Legally Blonde.

In 2008, she decided to get back to pursuing her singing career and moved to Nashville. Signed to a recording contract with Mercury Nashville, her debut album, Achin’ and Shakin’, was released in early 2010. It features the first single, “Giddy On Up.”

101st Airborne Division Commander Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell with Laura Bell Bundy after presenting her with a 101st Airborne Division Bracelet

At the end of Laura Bell Bundy’s performance 101st Airborne Division Commander Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell presented her with a 101st Airborne Division Bracelet, and then in a surpise move declared that July 5th would be a Day of No Scheduled Activity for the soldiers under his command, basically giving them the day off.

The Fort Campbell fireworks show is the best of the three shows held in our area. The fireworks are impressive not just in their duration, but also in the size, scope, and the variety of colors in the display. If you haven’t been to one of Fort Campbell’s July 4th shows, I highly encourage you to do so next year. The entertainment is outstanding, and you will enjoy the company of some of the best people you will ever meet! Not to mention the price just can’t be beat!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCoBZPDlfOY[/youtube]