Fourth of July for Deployed Troops

Sgt. Ivan Acevedo, a metal worker from Los Angeles, Calif., enjoys a camel ride at a bazaar held at Contingency Operating Base Adder's Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone. Acevedo is deployed with the 121st Brigade Support Battalion "Iron Hammers" of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas.
Photo by Sgt. Mark Miranda

Staff Sgt. Michael Wambsgans, support operations/transportation non-commissioned officer-in-charge for 204 Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division and resident of Colorado Springs, Colo., runs toward home plate as his teammates cheer him on during an Independence Day weekend softball tournament held at Contingency Operating Base Basra
Photo by Sgt Frank Vaughn

(From left) Sgt. Andrea Drost of Luverne. Minn., Staff Sgt. Angela Bedessem of Woodbury, Minn., Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Cornwell of Fountain, Minn., and Spc. Tamarra Dreier of Glencoe, Minn., represent the human resources section of Special Troops Battalion, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division in an Independence Day weekend celebration parade held at the Red Bull Life Sustainment Area of Contingency Operating Base Basra.
Photo by Sgt. Frank Vaughn

Sgt. 1st Class Jose Urrutia proves his title as Combat Outpost Penich's "grill master" during an Independence Day celebration July 4. The outpost, home of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, shipped in more than 200 pounds of burgers, bratwursts, steaks and ribs for the event.
Photo by Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller

A service member wearing a fully loaded rucksack races to the finish of the Independence Day 5K Fun Run at Life Support Area, Kuwait, July 4. Every runner and walker received a T-shirt and top finishers in men's and women's categories received medals courtesy of Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kim Harris

David R. Henderson, Army sergeant major (ret.), was presented his diploma by Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander, Combined Joint Task Force 82, at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, July 4. Henderson earned a master's degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University and, although retired from active duty, is serving as the Safety Director for the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan. Henderson served the majority of his Army career at Fort Bragg as a paratrooper and retired as a brigade command sergeant major.
Photo by Pfc. Bryan Willis

Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Quinones, guitarist for the Combined Joint Task Force-82 rock band "No Reserve" plays while vocalist Spc. Christine Permenter sings to the beat of band-leader Sgt. 1st Class James Donahue at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, during a 4th of July celebration, marking America's 233rd birthday.
Photo by Capt. Michael Greenberger

Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-82 and Regional Command East, administers the oath of enlistment to a group of service members re-enlisting at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, during a ceremony, July 4, marking America's 233rd birthday.
Photo by Capt. Michael Greenberger

Sgt. Maj. Enrique X. Hines, sergeant major of 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (left), 1st Sgt. James Telley, company first sergeant for Bravo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (middle), 1st Sgt. Mario R. Artalejo, company first sergeant for Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (right), barbeque steak and hamburgers for the Marines and Sailors aboard USS Boxer during a fourth of July celebration. The 13th MEU/Boxer Amphibious Ready Group are in the sixth of their seven-month deployment and are journeying through the Pacific Ocean in route home.
Navy Courtesy Photo

Capt. Andrew Kuen (right), of Montville, N.J., the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, places a First Team combat patch on the shoulder of Capt. Chuck Dickhart (left), of Wayne Penn., a battle captain for the 1st ACB, during a July 4, combat patch ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq, a basecamp north of Baghdad.

Photo by Sgt. Nathan Hoskins

Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Steele, information specialist, looks over his hand in a Captain's Cup spades tournament aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on the 4th of July. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

Photo by Bradley Evans, Navy Visual News Service

Airman Marcos Estrada, aviation electronics technician, plays in a Captain's Cup chess tournament aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on the 4th of July.The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.
Photo by Bradley Evans, Naval Visual News Service

Away from home, away from family, our troops find many ways to celebrate the Fourth of July -

a holiday that they stand for each and every day.
Despite heat and sand storms, they had parades, "Fun Runs", BBQ's on land and sea, competitions, music, reenlistment ceremonies, deployment patches were issued, a diploma, baseball and parades -
heck, they even had a camel ride!
Gratitude to each of them - on the Fourth of July and everyday!