American community celebrates Fourth of July in style

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 07/03/2009 2:56 PM  |  World

Though the actual independence day of the United States falls on July 4 every year, the US Embassy and members of the American community merrily celebrated the Fourth of July on Thursday, two days in advance, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jakarta.

The main reason for the change was simply July 4 is a Saturday.

US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume welcomed the guests and congratulated his fellow Americans.

The most interesting thing was the presence of a choir from US President Barack Obama's primary school in Jakarta. There was also another attraction.

An US Air Force band from Alaska also entertained the guests, mainly consisting of Indonesian public figures, senior government officials, diplomats and US citizens living in Indonesia.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry secretary-general Imron Cotan, Bank Indonesia acting Governor Miranda Goeltom and Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo were also present at the reception.

The newly arrived US Embassy's deputy chief of mission, Pat Thomas Edward Osius, was able to attend his first US Independence Day celebration in Jakarta.

The guests enjoyed different types of American food and dishes, like the famous American turkey, and also tasted coffee from Starbucks.

Though it is officially called US Independence Day, everybody knows the occasion as the Fourth of July. Exactly 233 years ago, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. Since then, Americans celebrate the Fourth of July as a victory for liberty and human rights.

No photos from the event were available, as Thursday's celebration was not open to the media.

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