NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, July 3, 2002

"They should celebrate heartily because we have freedom, and we love freedom," Bush told a group of supporters in Wisconsin.

"They should also know our government is doing everything they can to make the homeland secure. That people ought to be joyous in their celebration and celebrate the fact that we're fortunate enough to be Americans. I'm going to do that in West Virginia."

The president and first lady Laura Bush will travel to Ripley, W.Va., a small town 40 miles outside Charleston, to spend the 226th Independence Day holiday with veterans.

The White House said Bush was expected to make remarks before the town's approximately 3,000 residents before returning to Washington. It will be a much more subdued holiday for the president, who last year went to a Philadelphia block party to tout mentoring and religious charities.

White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said Bush was expected to return to the White House on Thursday and would likely view Washington's annual fireworks display from the executive mansion.

Vice President Dick Cheney will be in Wyoming, his office said.

This year's fireworks, parades and barbecues come in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which killed about 3,000 in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Since the attacks, the landscape of fear and tension surrounding how Americans travel and participate in open-air celebrations has drastically changed.

Law enforcement agencies are urging vigilance, but at the same time telling the public that every effort is being taken to protect them. Still, the traditional Independence Day celebrations in Washington and around the nation will take on a decidedly different tone this year.

"The nation is currently at an elevated state of alert, code "yellow," which constitutes a significant risk of terrorist attack. Because of the current threat environment, the U.S. Park Police is working with local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel to enhance security and to ensure the safety and enjoyment for all who will be participating in the Independence Day celebrations on the National Mall and surrounding areas," U.S. Park Police officials said.

They are expecting 2,000 officers from surrounding jurisdictions in Maryland and Virginia, and as far away as New Jersey, to aid the Metropolitan Police and the U.S. Capitol Police Departments with security. Officials also said some undercover officers will likely be circulating in the crowds.

The public is wondering, however, how to balance between being prudent and paranoid as it heads to the National Mall, the center for celebrations, with the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, a National Symphony Orchestra concert, a parade along Independence Avenue and the Capitol Fourth concert held on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

Law enforcement agencies are gearing up for the nearly half-million people expected to pay tribute to American patriotism on the National Mall. The U.S. Capitol Police and U.S. Park Police have been attempting to assuage fears about a possible terrorist threat by touting an increased security presence.

The U.S. Park Police this week began construction of fences around the Mall. For the first time in history, police officials said they would be setting up security checkpoints, screening bags, backpacks and coolers carted to the area by picnickers and those there to view the fireworks display.

Also different this year is the financing for the popular fireworks display in Washington. WorldCom's MCI group sponsored the spectacular over the last five years, but this year the telecommunications giant has been mired in a $4 billion accounting scandal. About a week ago, it dissolved its partnership.

Copyright 2002 by United Press International.

All rights reserved.

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