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East Bend hosts its 22nd God and Country Celebration
by Lindsay Craven
Staff Writer
Jul 11, 2012 | 4405 views | 0 0 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend | print
<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>A girl receives her requested antenna balloon hat. Children could request various animals, flowers and hats to be created by the balloon artist.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

A girl receives her requested antenna balloon hat. Children could request various animals, flowers and hats to be created by the balloon artist.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>Onlookers observe the East Bend God and Country Celebration fireworks display from bleachers at the East Bend Elementary School ballfields.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Onlookers observe the East Bend God and Country Celebration fireworks display from bleachers at the East Bend Elementary School ballfields.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>Mikaley Lane put on a special performance while the veteran&#8217;s memorial was being set up. Lane sang &#8220;Firework&#8221; by Katy Perry, &#8220;How Great Thou Art,&#8221; &#8220;The Climb&#8221; by Miley Cyrus and ended her performance with an acapella performance of an original song dedicated to her late grandfather.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Mikaley Lane put on a special performance while the veteran’s memorial was being set up. Lane sang “Firework” by Katy Perry, “How Great Thou Art,” “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus and ended her performance with an acapella performance of an original song dedicated to her late grandfather.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>Girl Scout members presented veterans and active duty soldiers with gifts on behalf of East Bend.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Girl Scout members presented veterans and active duty soldiers with gifts on behalf of East Bend.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>Members of the VFW Memorial Honor Guard salute the American flag as it is raised during the veteran&#8217;s memorial.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Members of the VFW Memorial Honor Guard salute the American flag as it is raised during the veteran’s memorial.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>One patriotic citizen covered their tractor in American flags and red, white and blue garland.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

One patriotic citizen covered their tractor in American flags and red, white and blue garland.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>This float created by Garage Doors by Marvin turned a golf cart into the Flintsone&#8217;s signature car. The cart featured several barrels filled with stuffed animals trailing along behind it as it spiraled throughout the parade.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

This float created by Garage Doors by Marvin turned a golf cart into the Flintsone’s signature car. The cart featured several barrels filled with stuffed animals trailing along behind it as it spiraled throughout the parade.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>The VFW Memorial Honor Guard led the parade with the American and NC flags. The honor guard has 18 active members and the post color guard for parades, schools and military funerals. The group raises money for veterans and attends approximately 170 military funerals a year.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

The VFW Memorial Honor Guard led the parade with the American and NC flags. The honor guard has 18 active members and the post color guard for parades, schools and military funerals. The group raises money for veterans and attends approximately 170 military funerals a year.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>A little girl &#8220;pulls&#8221; her grandpa&#8217;s tractor along behind her tractor tricycle. This &#8220;float&#8221; was created by Walker Farms.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

A little girl “pulls” her grandpa’s tractor along behind her tractor tricycle. This “float” was created by Walker Farms.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>A little girl waves as cars and floats pass by in the parade. Children were met with an abundance of candy as parade riders tossed buckets of candy into the streets.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

A little girl waves as cars and floats pass by in the parade. Children were met with an abundance of candy as parade riders tossed buckets of candy into the streets.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>U.S. Marine Sgt. Nathan Harris and his wife Ashley acted as Grand Marshalls for the East Bend God and Country Celebration. Harris enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002. In 2009 he was severely wounded in action. His story was featured in the documentary &#8220;Hell and Back Again&#8221;, which was nominated for an Oscar.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

U.S. Marine Sgt. Nathan Harris and his wife Ashley acted as Grand Marshalls for the East Bend God and Country Celebration. Harris enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002. In 2009 he was severely wounded in action. His story was featured in the documentary “Hell and Back Again”, which was nominated for an Oscar.

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<p>RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven</p><p>A boy slides down a inflatable water slide at the East Bend God and Country Celebrtion on June 30.</p>

RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

A boy slides down a inflatable water slide at the East Bend God and Country Celebrtion on June 30.

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Thousands attended the 22nd annual God and Country Celebration in East Bend on June 30.

The celebration kicked off with a parade at 9:30 a.m. followed by a veteran memorial event at East Bend Elementary School.

Live entertainment was featured throughout the day and inflatable castles and slides were site for children. Other activities included craft vendors, a dunking booth and a variety of foods.

The celebration wrapped up with a fireworks display put on at the elementary school. Cars were lined down Highway 67 to see the display.



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