How Service Members in Italy Kept 4th of July Traditions Alive

On July 4th, Americans across the country celebrated Independence Day with their families and friends, enjoying a day of barbeques, beaches, and fireworks. But for those service members and their families who are stationed overseas, celebrating the holiday sometimes doesn’t come as easily. 4th of July festivities aren’t usually as easily found, but in Naples, Italy military community members, MWR and the USO got together to bring a little touch of home across the ocean. Troops and their families grabbed their picnic blankets, chairs and coolers and set up camp at Central Park at the NSA Naples Support Site Base to enjoy a 4th of July Celebration just like they would at home.

Over 600 attendees celebrated the day with live music from the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band, All American hot dogs, burgers, beverages, and, courtesy of USO Naples, a refreshing root beer float. Children in attendance also received Americana themed giveaways from the USO to help them sport red, white, and blue for the holiday. All the classic 4th of July festivities were had, reminding service members and their families that the feeling of home isn’t as far away as it seems. The evening came to close with a private firework display for on base community members, truly bringing in the spirit of Independence Day.

Holidays like the 4th of July usually come with traditions of summer activities for American families, and for those stationed overseas keeping those traditions alive becomes much harder. But with the help of the military community and the USO, 4th of July festivities are kept alive each and every year. From barbeques to fireworks to classic root beer floats, on the 4th of July at NSA Naples it almost seems like America.