FORT SILL, Oklahoma (July 7, 2021) -- The 77th Army Band performing the “1812 Overture” with accompanying cannon fire from B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery “Salute Battery” highlighted Fort Sill’s Independence Day celebration.
Hundreds of people from the Lawton Fort Sill community viewed the performance July 4, at noon outside McNair Hall. The 20-minute ceremony was also livestreamed.
As a prelude to the observance, Uncle Sam (Mike Dooley, Field Artillery School deputy commandant) led a neighborhood parade from Academic Heights to McNair Hall. Dozens of post residents, including many children dressed in red, white, and blue, participated along with firetrucks from the Directorate of Emergency Services.
Sgt. 1st Class Landon Holt, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security operations noncommissioned officer, provided narration for the event.
“Two-hundred and forty-five years ago in that now famous year of 1776, 56 men of courage and vision created our birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence.
“In doing so, they established a nation dedicated to the principles of human rights and the spirit of liberty. Many of the ideas stated in the Declaration of Independence were not really new; they reflected concepts of social and political justice held by numerous philosophers of the time.
“New or not, those ideas were so eloquently expressed by Thomas Jefferson, that they stirred the hearts of our forefathers in their fight for freedom. Since then, the words of the Declaration of Independence, have continuously, inspired freedom‑loving people throughout the world.
“Those 56 individuals in Philadelphia knew the penalty for high treason when they placed their signatures on that document. They would surely face death, but America's first patriots were committed to an ideal to which they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
“In declaring independence, the colonies made a historic and heroic claim to freedom from the absolute power of the British crown.”
Holt then told the history of the “1812 Overture.”
It was commissioned in 1880, for inclusion in the Russian exhibition of 1882, Holt said. Pyotr Tchaikovsky, was selected to commemorate the event, and decided to use music that would stir feelings of patriotism. It was intended to be performed outdoors, as a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Russia’s defeat of Napoleon’s troops.
“The ‘1812 Overture’ has become an American tradition, tied to freedom. It was first celebrated with the opening of Carnegie Hall, in New York in 1891, and later conducted by Arthur Fiedler, long-time conductor of the Boston Pops orchestra, in 1974. The ‘1812 Overture’ has become synonymous with American Independence Day celebrations across the country.”
Following the performance, each state was introduced in order of its entrance into the union. Audience members were encouraged to cheer for their respective states. The “Salute Battery” fired a 105mm round for each state.
Holt’s roll call began with Delaware, “The First State," Dec. 7, 1787.
When the 46th state, Oklahoma, “the Sooner State,” Nov. 16, 1907, was announced, the crowd let out cheers and hollers.
And, “The Aloha State,” Hawaii, Aug. 21, 1959, was the last state honored.
The ceremony ended with the band performing John Phillip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
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