Independence Day

For everyone that lives in South Carolina and don't have plans for the 4th of July, let me suggest the Torchlight Tattoo at Fort Jackson. They put on quite a ceremony and definitely in keeping with the spirit of Independence Day. Tom and I went to it for our first 4th of July together and then we moved to Louisiana and now that we have moved back, it is our favorite thing to do for the 4th. Here is some information on it, in case you are interested:

Torchlight Tattoo 2006 Set

Fort Jackson, S.C. – Fort Jackson’s annual celebration of America’s independence, the “Torchlight Tattoo” is scheduled for Monday, July 3, 2006 at Hilton Field.
This years’ formal ceremony begins at 8:30 p.m. and features a cannon salute to each state and territory of the United States, music by the 282nd Army “Victory” Band, and a 30-minute fireworks display.

The tattoo is deeply rooted in military history and signifies the time of the musical call for civilian establishments to turn off the taps, and for soldiers to make their torch-lit walk back to their encampments to retire for the evening. In this usage, the word tattoo comes from the Dutch “doe den taptoe” meaning “to turn off the taps.”

Fort Jackson’s neighbors are invited to share in the evening’s festivities, and should plan to arrive early for the best seats and parking. Non-DOD registered vehicles should enter post through Gate 4 (Percival/Boyden Arbor Rd.) or
Gate 5 (Leesburg Rd.) and follow signs, directions and parking instructions given by traffic control personnel. Gate 1 and 2 access will be strictly limited to DOD-registered vehicles.

Food and drink concessions will be available at Hilton Field starting at 5 p.m. Pets, alcoholic beverages, and personal fireworks are not permitted. Guests can bring lawn chairs and blankets, but plenty of bleacher and main grandstand seating will be available this year.

The evening’s festivities will conclude at approximately 10:30 p.m. On leaving Hilton Field guests should pay close attention to departure directions as traffic routes to the various gates will be tightly controlled and once on a specific gate route there will be no means to take a different route. For more information call (803) 751-1742.