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The U.S. Embassy was the location for the first ever U.S. Community Independence Day Festival.
First Ever U.S. Community Independence Day Festival in Phnom Penh
U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
July 07, 2007
In honor of the 231st Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh hosted an Independence Day Festival for the American community in Cambodia. Co-hosting the event were the American Cambodian Business Council and the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. More than 800 people attended the celebration, which featured magicians, clowns, acrobats, stilt walkers, face painting, a "dunking booth", hot dog and cracker eating contests, and music by The Blue Geckos. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the colors by the Phnom Penh U.S. Marine Security Guard Detachment and the singing of the American national anthem by Peace Corps Volunteers Autumn West, Kara Snyder and Sam Snyder.
A group of eight Embassy employees and family members also presented a 35-minute song and dance revue highlighting the musical milestones in America's history, from the birth of the nation to the music of today. The performers (and affiliations) were Gary Brazeau (Community Liaison), Greg Buford (family member), Piper Campbell (Deputy Chief of Mission), Jeff Daigle (Public Affairs), Janet Deutsch (Political), Sorphoan Ear (USAID/Financial Management), Sook Fan Simpson (Public Affairs) and Dana Williams (General Services). Show highlights included appearances by the Andrew Sisters, Elvis, and the Beatles. The biggest round of applause, however, went to DCM Campbell for her rap performance during the C&C Music Factory number "Gonna Make You Sweat." The group was praised for its performance and has been asked to do encore presentations at other local events.
The winner of the hot dog eating contest, sponsored by Sharky Bar, was Mike Krutsch, who was able to eat 8 hot dogs during the 12-minute time limit. Mike won a $25 gift certificate from Dan Meats, and each contestant received a special Sharky’s July 4th hot-dog eating contest T-shirt. The winner of the cream cracker eating contest was Sok Sopheak, who ate 5 crackers in 5 minutes (no water) and won a dinner for two at contest sponsor Tony's Bar.
The Embassy and the co-hosts were very pleased with how the event turned out. It was the first attempt to organize an Independence Day Festival for the American community at the new Embassy, and we have received nothing but positive feedback. We've already started planning how to make next year's event even bigger and better.
The American Cambodian Business Council ("AmCam"), founded in 1996, represents U.S. business interests in Cambodia. It is the local version of the American Chamber of Commerce. It hosts luncheon meetings with speakers of note, social gatherings at times of traditional American holidays, and participates in various fora sponsored by the Royal Government and the international community. It also co-sponsors, with the U.S. Embassy, a chapter of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). AmCam is affiliated with the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce, and participates in its activities. In October 2006, AmCam sponsored the annual meeting of APCAC Executive Directors in Siem Reap.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), with its Auxiliaries, includes 2.4 million members in approximately 9,000 Posts worldwide. Its mission is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense. Mayaguez Memorial VFW Post 11575 in Phnom Penh is dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who supported or fought "The Last Battle". The first and only VFW post in a former Communist country, the post is unique in its location, membership and mission. One of its top priorities is to ensure a full accounting and recovery of American soldiers still listed as MIA in Cambodia.
