Mark Edward Brown's Blog

  The 4th of July for me this year (2010) was very fast paced and exciting.  On 3 July 2010 I went to a Tae Kwon   Do test that was only for students testing for their Black Belt.  The test was held in the local city right outside the   base I am assigned at.  This was an incredible experience and the gymnasium floor was covered with kids who   were testing for their black belt.  I think there was something like 220 something kids, whew what a sight.

After the black belt test we headed back on base and went to the booth that my unit was selling food and drinks from for our 4th of July “Freedom Festival”.  I spent the entire evening with my Soldiers and had a great time meeting new people and enjoying the fun, food and festivity.

On the 4th of July I woke up feeling refreshed so I went for a run around the airfield that is on base, I think it’s a 5 or 6 mile run.  I spent the day doing things like getting groceries etc.  I also went to the gym in the late afternoon to get a workout in.  That evening when I went to the Freedom Fest I was a little bit disappointed to learn that the band that was supposed to play was not playing due to being rained out – well what do you expect from Korea in monsoon season?

The fireworks display was a little bit disapointing due to no real finally and because the air was so heavy with moisture and humidity that some of the fireworks were hard to see on account of the smoke just hanging in the air   On the up side allot of food was sold and money was raised for the Soldiers in my unit as well as the family readiness group.

It was hard being away from my family because we have celebrated the 4th of July as a family for the past couple of years and really had a great time no matter where we were.

I made the best of the situation and that is usually how I approach everything I do, I really enjoyed the company of all the people I spent time with and this is a really good military community as well.

Tell me about your 4th of July experience this year – I am eager to hear about it,

Mark Edward Brown