I hope you will join us at Baker Park this Saturday for the Twilight Tattoo performance by the Old Guard and the Army Fife and Drum Corps.

The performance this year is dedicated to the Army Noncommissioned Officer Corps in recognition of The Year of the NCO.

Additional upcoming even-ts include the NCO Induction Ceremony on July 1 at 1:30 p.m. at the Odom Fitness Center, Fort Detrick Night at the Frederick Keys Baseball game at 7 p.m. July 1 at Harry Grove Stadium, the Great Frederick Float at Carroll Creek July 3 at 5 p.m. and the Community Covenant Signing July 4 at noon at the Baker Park Band Shell.

These are some great events leading up to our celebration of the birth of our Nation.

Independence Day in the U.S. commemorates the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia.

Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of U.S. independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S.

The holiday was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at which time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played. It was not declared a legal holiday, however, until 1941.

The Fourth is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades and pageants, patriotic speeches, and organized firing of guns and cannons and displays of fireworks; early in the 20th century public concern for a ‘‘safe and sane” holiday resulted in restrictions on general use of fireworks.

Federal law requires Fort Detrick personnel and residents to comply with Maryland State law pertaining to the use of fireworks.

Fort Detrick Regulation 210-11 prohibits the use of many common types of explosive or aerial fireworks; however, ground-based sparklers are permitted.

The use of ground-based sparklers on Fort Detrick is limited to Fort Detrick residents and authorized guests.

The Garrison Commander and I encourage you to be safe and, rather than use approved ground-based sparklers, take part in Frederick City's Fourth of July events at Baker Park or other local firework displays.

Please be safe in all that you do and have a Happy Independence Day.