Music, magic brings in Independence Day

Miss North Carolina International Julie Tesh signs autographs during the Celebration of Freedom, a 4th of July event, on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., July 2, 2009. Miss Tesh took pictures, answered questions from fans and thanked Airmen for protecting the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Whitney S. Lambert)

Music, magic brings in Independence Day

Stephan Cochran and the Keegan Reed Band perform "I like the way we are" during the Celebration of Freedom , a 4th of July event, on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., July 2, 2009. The band volunteered to put on a free performance to thank Team Seymour for protecting America's freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Whitney S. Lambert)

Music, magic help celebrate Independence Day

Published July 8, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Force Support Squadron hosted "A Celebration of Freedom," here July 2, 2009, in honor of Independence Day.

Family, friends and members of the 4th Fighter Wing were invited to enjoy live music, a fireworks display, and various prize drawings.

Julie Tesh, Miss North Carolina International, kicked off the event by addressing the crowd and signing autographs. Then, the Almost Amazing Rex and Dana Ryan, a father and son magician duo, wowed the crowd with various magic acts.

By nightfall, the crowd was grooving to the hip-hop music of Don Preach, an up and coming artist who sings and raps uplifting, inspirational music.

"I came all the way from Los Angeles," he said. "I'm very grateful to be here to show appreciation to the Airmen who sacrifice their lives for our freedom."

Steven Cochran, a Marine Corps veteran who was injured in Iraq in 2003 and told he would never walk again, also expressed his appreciation for all servicemembers for their sacrifice. He and the Keegan Reed band performed songs from his new country album and some old favorites that made the crowd boogie.

Colonel Mark Kelly, 4th FW commander, closed the event by thanking the audience for celebrating Independence Day with the wing and reminding everyone to keep deployed servicemembers in their prayers.