July 11, 2002
If ever there was a celebration of freedom, it was at Fort Belvoir on the Fourth.
Freedom Fest was celebrated with pomp, lots of music, tons of food and with hundreds of families. Military displays, a dunk tank, children's rides and a military police working dogs demonstrations, dotted the day's activities. A 10K Volksmarch was also held.
Live music entertained the crowds continually throughout the day with the sounds of Southern Persuasion and The Boys and Me.
It's been years since we've had live music for Freedom Fest," said Mary Ann Hodges, marketing director for the post's Directorate of Personnel and Community Activities.
Fort Belvoir participated in the National Bell Ringing Ceremony, a service at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia which was celebrated simultaneously at 2 p.m. The ringing of 13 bells, representing the 13 original colonies, tolled.
The Faces of Freedom's Kids' parade marched off later in the day. Buggies, tricycles, wagons, strollers and bicycles all wheeled down the parade field.
Spirit of America, a 100-member volunteer band from Cape Cod presented "Freedom," a show of music in motion portraying the meaning of liberty before the grand finale, a firework display.