Save the date: Celebrate the 4th at the AFRH

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Community events, Fourth of July

July 4th Celebration Cancelled This Year

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Fourth of July

Eight years ago this month was a historic time for our community. People inside and outside the Armed Forces Retirement Home had reached out to one another in 2011 in the spirt of friendship. By June of 2012, the Home and its neighbors were preparing to open the gates for a July 4 festival. That first big day was a huge success, and a tradition was born. Now, after a great eight-year run, we are sad to say there will be no July 4 gathering this year. The health risks of such a large event during the coronavirus pandemic are too great. We look forward to when the community and Home will gather again to celebrate as one community. This is the spirit that led to the creation of Friends of the Soldiers Home. Even a pandemic can’t dampen that.

John Hughes

Chariman and Co-Founder

Friends of the Soldiers Home

Soggy July 4 Doesn’t Slow Down Patriotic Celebration at Soldiers Home-DC

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Community events, Fourth of July

The 1,200 people who braved rainy weather for a spirited July 4 celebration at the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington weren’t sorry. They enjoyed a great view of the fireworks, a fantastic performance by the Hoke County, N.C. marching band, a fine showing by the Home’s resident DJ Billy White. There were also plenty of games, food and drinks. Friends of the Soldiers Home would like to thank everyone who participated in the great day!

Photos courtesy of Liz Cocke and John Hughes.

Friends of the Soldiers Home Guide for the Fourth of July, 4 pm-9:30 pm Celebration at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington

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Community events, Fourth of July

Sponsors: Anheuser Busch, DCCX

Location: Enter Armed Forces Retirement Home at Randolph Road and Rock Creek Church Road in Washington, D.C. For navigation, use 340 Rock Creek Church Road N.W., Washington, D.C.

Performance Times:
4pm: DJ Billy White aka The Music Man
7:45pm: Hoke County, N.C. High School Band
9:07pm: National Mall Fireworks (New location, not sure about the view!)

Attractions:
4-8:30pm: bounce house, obstacle course, swashbuckler, jumbo connect 4
4-7pm: catch-and-release pond fishing (bring your own bait, gear)
4-8:30pm: Asian Community Service Center Craft Table
5-7:30pm: facepainting
6pm: patriotic bike decoration contest judging
7pm: Kids get flags free to wave in a parade behind marching band!

Food/Drink: Timer Pizza, Hardy’s BBQ, The Big Cheese, Ooo Dat Chicken, Captain Cookie, Anheuser Busch
Weather: 87 degrees, chance of scattered storms
Cost: Free if you walk or bike in. Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $10 donation per carload for drivers

Volunteer: To volunteer for part of the event: https://signup.com/go/YExnGce

Pets: Sorry, you must leave pets at home

A Very Special Thanks to the staff and residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for making this event possible, and to the Capital Chapter of the Nam Knights of America for volunteer support

Mark It! 8th Annual July 4th Celebration at the Soldiers’ Home

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Community events, Fourth of July

Soldiers Home July 4th Draws Thousands For Music, Fun and Fireworks

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Community events, Fourth of July

More than 2,600 people came to the green open space of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington for a gala July 4th celebration. The seventh annual gathering hosted by Friends of the Soldiers Home featured entertainment by the Hortonville, Wisconsin marching band and two Soldiers Home residents, DJ Billy White and singer/guitarist Waymon Lucas Jr. There was facepainting, a bounce house and pond fishing for kids, who mostly enjoyed running amok on the green expanse of the Home’s grounds. There were many food and drink choices, and of course the highlight was viewing fireworks from the National Mall and the neighborhoods surrounding the Soldiers Home. We can’t wait for July 4, 2019!

Photos courtesy of Betsy Eves, Lauren Kessler, Mike Madden and Drew Schneider.

Your July 4th Event Guide

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Community events, Fourth of July

Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC, July 4, 4pm-9:30pm

Sponsors: Anheuser Busch, DCCX

Location: Enter Armed Forces Retirement Home at Randolph Road and Rock Creek Church Road in Washington, D.C. For navigation, use 340 Rock Creek Church Road N.W., Washington, D.C.

Performance Times:
4pm: Waymon Lucas Jr. aka Kool (Guitar Hand) Luke
5pm: DJ Billy White aka The Music Man
7:30pm: Hortonville, Wis., High School Marching Band
9:09pm: National Mall Fireworks

Attractions:
4pm-8:30pm: bounce house, corn hole, tug o’ war, ring toss, water games
4pm-6:30pm: facepainting
4pm-7pm: catch-and-release pond fishing (bring your own bait, gear)
6pm: patriotic bike decoration contest judging

Food/Drink: Rosie’s Pizza & Subs, Ooo Dat Chicken, Quick Bite, Hardy’s BBQ, Dog Tag Bakery, Captain Cookie, Sly’s Sucker Punch, Anheuser Busch
Weather: Partly cloudy, 86 degrees

Cost: Free if you walk or bike in. Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $10 donation per carload for drivers

Volunteer: To volunteer for part of the event: http://signup.com/go/KrxYHUy

Pets: Sorry, you must leave pets at home

A Very Special Thanks to the staff and residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for making this event possible, and to the Capital Chapter of the Nam Knights of America for volunteer support

7th Annual 4th of July Celebration is Around the Corner

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Fourth of July

 

Record Crowd Joins Veterans for Friends of the Soldiers Home July 4 Celebration

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Celebrations, Fourth of July

More than 3,000 people came to the Armed Forces Retirement Home on July 4 for a gala event that connected the community with veterans in celebrating America’s independence. The sixth annual gathering was the first one since 2014 that didn’t have significant rain — and hence, it was a record turnout. Large numbers of children loved roaming on the green expanse of the golf driving range.

Many kids played in the bounce house while others competed in the contest for most patriotic outfit. Families enjoyed fishing at the well-stocked Soldiers Home pond. Adults mingled and enjoyed food and drink while listening to the Home’s resident DJ, Billy White, spin top tunes. Best of all, a record number of residents of the Soldiers Home joined in the celebration!

Friends of the Soldiers Home is grateful to residents and staff of the Home, the Nam Knights Capital Chapter, Anheuser Busch and DCCX bike group for helping to make the event so successful.

Photos by Lou Avenilla and Isabelle Hughes.

Soldiers’ Home 4th of July Celebration Details Released

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Fourth of July

The annual Fourth of July Celebration at the Soldiers’ Home just around the corner. See the flier below for information on the 2017 celebration.