Greg Williams and Quan Hall, members of the Hinesville community, enjoy music from DJ Black Rhino during the 2023 Independence Day Celebration on Donovan Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 1, 2023. Hall said he came to the celebration to show support for Dru Hill, an R&B group that performed after DJ Black Rhino. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Griffen)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William Griffen)VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT STEWART, Ga.- Soldiers, Families and members of the community gathered to attend the 2023 Marne Independence Day Celebration on Donovan Field at Fort Stewart, July 1, 2023.
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation program hosted the event, which consisted of food vendors, booths with local businesses, free activities, musical performances, and a fireworks show.
A guitarist performs alongside country music artist Chris Cagle for Soldiers, families and members of the community during the 2023 Independence Day Celebration on Donovan Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 1, 2023. Their performance was the last show before the concluding event of the celebration: the fireworks show. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Griffen)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William Griffen)VIEW ORIGINAL
“This year’s event was focused on celebrating the birth of our nation and to recognize the dedication and resilience of our military community,” said Matthew Tyler Gierber, deputy director of Family and MWR. “Family and MWR takes great pride in providing entertainment and services to our military community.”
Kristen Sparrow, an entertainer at 3rd Infantry Division's 2023 Independence Day Celebration, performs aerial acrobatics for attendees on Donovan Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 1, 2023. The celebration had a variety of vendors from Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield’s surrounding communities. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Griffen)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William Griffen)VIEW ORIGINAL
Once the concert area opened up, attendees rushed to the stage where the musical performances took place. The opening act was DJ Black Rhino, who played a variety of music and got the audience excited for the upcoming musicians.
Soldiers, families and members of the community attend a performance held by DJ Black Rhino during the 2023 Independence Day Celebration on Donovan Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 1, 2023. The Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program on Fort Stewart hosted the event to celebrate the birth of the U.S. and to recognize the dedication and resilience of our military community. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Griffen)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William Griffen)VIEW ORIGINAL
Maj. Gen. Christopher R. Norrie, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Reffeor, senior enlisted advisor of 3rd ID, welcomed all who gathered for the concert. This was the first year of the celebration that Norrie and Reffeor were the commander and senior enlisted of 3rd ID.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie (right), commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, speaks to a crowd with Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Reffeor, senior enlisted advisor of 3rd ID, during the 2023 Independence Day Celebration on Donovan Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 1, 2023. This was the first year of the celebration that Norrie and Reffeor were the commander and senior enlisted of 3rd ID, and during his speech, Norrie thanked everyone who contributed to the event. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Griffen)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William Griffen)VIEW ORIGINAL
“My name is Chris Norrie, and I am a proud Dogface Soldier like everyone of you,” he said to the gathered crowd. “This entire moment, all of tonight, was assembled just for you, and we are proud and happy to have you here.”
Chris Cagle, a country music artist, speaks to Soldiers, families and members of the community after a performance during the 2023 Independence Day Celebration on Donovan Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 1, 2023. Cagle thanked Soldiers for the selfless service and observed a moment of silence for fallen Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Griffen)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William Griffen)VIEW ORIGINAL
The commanding general also explained the division’s history and acknowledged the Gold Star Families who have had Soldiers lose their lives in the line of duty. Afterwards, Sgt. Michael Saias, assigned to the 3rd ID Band, took the stage to sing the Star Spangled Banner.
Sgt. Michael Saias, assigned to the 3rd ID Band, performs the national anthem at the beginning of the 2023 Independence Day Celebration on Donovan Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 1, 2023. After the national anthem and a speech from Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, commander of the 3rd ID, Soldiers, families and members of the community enjoyed performances from Dru Hill and Chris Cagle. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Griffen)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William Griffen)VIEW ORIGINAL
During the concert portion of the event, the R&B group Dru Hill and country music artist Chris Cagle performed while fans danced and sang along. Once the musical performances ended and the sky was dark, the fireworks show began, concluding a celebration that lasted more than seven hours.
Dru Hill, an R&B group, performs for Soldiers, families and members of the community during the 2023 Independence Day Celebration on Donovan Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 1, 2023. The celebration also included food vendors, booths with local businesses, free activities for kids, other musical performances, and a fireworks show. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Griffen)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William Griffen)VIEW ORIGINAL
Norrie thanked everyone who contributed to the event, including 3rd ID’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, Family and MWR and the musical performers.
The 3rd ID’s Band will continue celebrating Independence Day with the local community by performing at the Savannah Waterfront Independence Day Celebration, July 4, 2023, maintaining 3rd ID’s relationship with community members.
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