Thursday, October 23, 2008

Blaine’s Blazin’ 4th celebrates nation’s heroes


"The sun bowed into the western horizon as Blue Star mothers and Gold Star families carried the flag on to centerfield at Blaine’s National Sports Center. (Photo by Sue Austreng)"

Local patriots spontaneously raised their voices in the night sky as fireworks exploded in sparkling color during Blaine’s Blazin’ 4th fireworks spectacular at the National Sports Center on Independence Day. “O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain ...“For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain! “America! America! God shed his grace on thee ... “And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”The pyrotechnic salute ignited a patriotic flame in the hearts of revelers Friday evening and provided a climactic finish to Blaine’s 4th of July celebration.“The spirit of patriotism should resound in all our hearts. Let’s hear it for America,” said Blaine’s Blazin’ 4th Committee Chairman Barry Wills.The assembled crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Wills urged them to “always remember our courageous and heroic sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. Wish them all Godspeed and a safe return home.”As the setting sun bowed down in the western horizon, Wills called for a moment of silence “as we remember our fallen heroes who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.”The families of Lance Corp. Scott Modeen, Private 1st Class Nick Partot and Sgt. B.J. Beardsley were recognized and thanked for their greatest sacrifice: the lives of their sons killed in action during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.VFW State Commander Stan Kowalski, a resident of Blaine and the last World War II-generation VFW state commander in the United States, next took the stage.“Without the American soldier there never would have been a United States of America,” Kowalski said, wearing his fatigues and addressing fellow patriots.


ABC Newspapers - Blaine’s Blazin’ 4th celebrates nation’s heroes:

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