Europe
Servicemembers in Europe celebrate July 4 with car crushing and carnivals
Stars and Stripes
July 4, 2019
Rowdy Webster, 2, giggles as he flies high on a trampoline-like device called the Beach Jump at the Freedom Fest at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on July 3, 2019. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
Rowdy Webster, 2, giggles as he flies high on a trampoline-like device called the Beach Jump at the Freedom Fest at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on July 3, 2019. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
Sgt. Maj. Micheal Sutterfield, the sergeant major of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, hits a Ford Focus with a sledgehammer during an Independence Day celebration at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Riders hold on tight as they take a spin on a carnival ride at the Freedom Fest at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on July 3, 2019. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
The crowd wore patriotic colors to celebrate Independence Day while watching Fastball, a rock band from Austin, Texas, at the Freedom Fest at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on July 3, 2019. ( Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
Cars on display during an Independence Day celebration at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Servicemembers, civilians, family members and furry friends start the 5-kilometer Freedom Run on Thursday July 4, 2019, on RAF Lakenheath, England. The run is held before the opening of the Liberty Fest each year. (Christopher B. Dennis/Stars and Stripes)
Tech. Sgt. Michael "Teddy" Graham with the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron shoots darts to try to win a stuffed animal Thursday, July 4, 2019, at the Fourth of July Liberty Fest at RAF Lakenheath, England. (Christopher B. Dennis)
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – Being separated from the U.S. by thousands of miles didn’t stop servicemembers in Europe from showing their patriotic spirit this Independence Day.
At military bases in Germany and the U.K., American troops and their families celebrated with large base-wide parties and plans for evening fireworks.
In Grafenwoehr, soldiers hosted a car and motorcycle show, featuring racing games and a fund-raising event where visitors could smash an old Ford Focus with a sledgehammer.
At Ramstein, families enjoyed carnival rides and a concert.
In England, servicemembers and their families warmed up for the Fourth of July festivities by participating in the Freedom Run at RAF Lakenheath.