Panthers QB Bryce Young, rock bands Sugar Ray, Vertical Horizon, help ring in Fourth of July at Camp Lejeune

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (WNCT) — Thousands of people gathered at Camp Lejeune Thursday to celebrate the Fourth of July while honoring the Marines and their families.

Attendees got to see performances by rock bands Sugar Ray and Vertical Horizon and waited in line to meet Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Bryce Young before the night ended with fireworks.

Marine Corps Community Services representatives said it takes nearly a year to plan the event with a large team to support them. MCIEAST CO Col. Ralph Rizzo said that for those in uniform, the holiday has a deep meaning.

“We always want to remember those Marines fully deployed and serving our nation at the forefront, about 21 percent of the Marine Corps is deployed at any moment,” Col. Rizzo said. “Especially those Marines that aren’t here with us today, for the fact that they made the ultimate sacrifice for us.”

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