Labor Day brings patriotic pride

By Andrea Sutherland (Fort Carson)September 6, 2012

Labor Day brings patriotic pride
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Labor Day brings patriotic pride
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Labor Day brings patriotic pride
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Labor Day brings patriotic pride
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Labor Day brings patriotic pride
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FORT CARSON, Colo. -- As the fall colors peeked through the leaves of the trees at Iron Horse Park, Paul Borrillo donned his red, white and blue suit and top hat to celebrate a holiday typically enjoyed in July.

"It's still an American holiday and what better way to celebrate than on a military base," said Borrillo, dressed as Uncle Sam.

Although Labor Day marked the unofficial end of summer, the Fort Carson community gathered to commemorate the Fourth of July with family activities, fireworks and live music performed by High Altitude, the 4th Infantry Division rock band.

Susanne Fleet attended the event with her husband, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tim Fleet, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, and friends.

"Everything is fantastic -- the music, the food, the atmosphere," she said. "We missed having fireworks this year so this makes up for it."

The traditional celebration, known as the "Fourth on the Third," is typically held in July, but was cancelled due to high fire danger and devastation caused by the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Toni Savino, recreation specialist for the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said moving the event went smoothly.

"It was seamless," she said. "We had everything planned out. We kept a lot of the same elements and moved it to this event."

Savino said more than 4,000 community members attended the event, which featured paintball, bungee trampolines and a rock climbing wall.

"It went great," she said. "We had a good crowd. We had great activities for the events. The 4th Inf. Div. band rocked it."

Spc. Zechariah Gonzales, 984th Military Police Company, 759th MP Battalion, said he and his son, Malakai, enjoyed the live music.

"This is great," he said.

The delayed festivities meant Malakai could finally enjoy his first Fourth of July fireworks display.

"He's 14 months (old) so this is his first," Gonzales said. "We're excited."