Fourth of July Celebration in Mongolia

The US Embassy hosted a 4^th of July Celebration for all of the ex-patriots in Mongolia.

Elder and Sister Caldwell served on the committee and did a lot of work to implement the event. They had the young missionaries help set up, cook, etc. There were booths of local vendors where we bought souvenirs to take home. Teams of young people enjoyed relay races, including: carrying an egg in a spoon, three-legged races, etc. In the team game competition, the American missionaries and their companions excitedly received silver medals.

The highlight of the event was a performance by the US Marine Band who was on tour and had arranged to be in Mongolia for this celebration. It was a thrill to hear them play the Mongolia National Anthem followed by “The Star Spangled Banner!” As I listened to them play our national anthem, tears moistened my eyes. It was a thrill and even though I love Mongolia, it reminded me how much I love and appreciate my own country. The US Marine Band also played some wonderful patriotic songs and some other toe-tapping favorites. As we stood in the lunch line, we had a nice visit with a US Marine who said he loves being a member of the US Marine Band. During lunch, we also had a nice visit with President and Sister Mecham while we ate our lunch of hotdogs, brots, or hamburgers, potato salad, and drinks.