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Thoughts drift overseas at Freedom Fest

Jul- 5-2005 » Filed Under: Homefront

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BY HEATHER WOODWARD, THE OLYMPIAN

FORT LEWIS -- The sun was out, the air smelled of funnel cakes and the sound of children's delighted shrieks echoed across the U.S. Army post.

But as carloads of families arrived at Fort Lewis on Monday for Freedom Fest -- a daylong festival to celebrate the Fourth of July -- many couldn't help but think about those who were absent.

"My husband is deployed this year in Iraq," said Jennifer Finch, a 32-year-old Lakewood resident who came with her 4-year-old daughter and who was deployed in Iraq herself last year.

"We're missing him, but we're continuing the tradition," she said. "The Fourth of July is a very patriotic time, and it's a time to celebrate."

Freedom Fest, in its 17th year, was expected to draw between 35,000 and 50,000 people to the Army post Monday, said Kate Laverents, Fort Lewis special events director. [...]

The event offered a chance to raise money for the Fort Lewis Enlisted Spouses Club, which ran a stand that sold hot dogs, nachos and other foods as well as T-shirts. The club -- whose members are the spouses of active-duty, reserve and retired military personnel -- gives money to various organizations, charities and scholarships throughout Fort Lewis and the local community.

"I'm worried about our guys over there, and I wish they could be here," said Tabitha Johnson, a 36-year-old Yelm resident and the club's president. "I think the Fourth of July means even more now with everything that's going on, and I wish everyone would thank a soldier."


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