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Jericho Darnell eats on to win the children's watermelon eating contest at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014.

Jericho Darnell eats on to win the children's watermelon eating contest at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

Jericho Darnell eats on to win the children's watermelon eating contest at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014.

Jericho Darnell eats on to win the children's watermelon eating contest at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

Mary Preston gets ready to chow down on her hamburger. Plenty of classic American Fourth of July foods at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014.

Mary Preston gets ready to chow down on her hamburger. Plenty of classic American Fourth of July foods at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

Lindsey Torres hands out fans and key chains to kids at the at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014.

Lindsey Torres hands out fans and key chains to kids at the at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

The ''Freedom Rocks'' Fourth of July Celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, featured a chili cook-off, on July 3, 2014.

The ''Freedom Rocks'' Fourth of July Celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, featured a chili cook-off, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

The ''Freedom Rocks'' Fourth of July Celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, featured a chili cook-off, on July 3, 2014.

The ''Freedom Rocks'' Fourth of July Celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, featured a chili cook-off, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

Josie Rojas participates in a watermelon eating contest at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014.

Josie Rojas participates in a watermelon eating contest at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Reeder, on the right, Lt. j.g. Heath Hilleshiem, in the middle, and David Buitrago, on the left, pass out information on voting at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014.

Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Reeder, on the right, Lt. j.g. Heath Hilleshiem, in the middle, and David Buitrago, on the left, pass out information on voting at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

Soldiers stationed at Isa Air Base, located in the remote southern part of Bahrain, spend the day at  Naval Support Activity Bahrain to celebrate Fourth of July.

Soldiers stationed at Isa Air Base, located in the remote southern part of Bahrain, spend the day at Naval Support Activity Bahrain to celebrate Fourth of July. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

Plenty of classic American Fourth of July food at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014.

Plenty of classic American Fourth of July food at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

What's Fourth of July without a hot dog eating contest? Six servicemembers get 10 minutes to eat six hot dogs  at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Thursday.

What's Fourth of July without a hot dog eating contest? Six servicemembers get 10 minutes to eat six hot dogs at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Thursday. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

Chief Petty Officer Acie Blocton wins the hot dog eating contest at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014.

Chief Petty Officer Acie Blocton wins the hot dog eating contest at the ''Freedom Rocks'' celebration, put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, on July 3, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)

Nearly 7,000 miles away from where the Declaration of Independence was signed, U.S. personnel serving in the heart of Middle East celebrate American style freedom in typical form. At Naval Station Activity Bahrain, base members gathered for watermelon- and hot dog-eating contests, and enjoyed good music and good food.

news@stripes.com

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