Each time military helicopters flew over the July Fourth celebration at Sugarhouse Park, thousands cheered and Judy Hansen grabbed her camcorder.
The Taylorsville resident tried taping the helicopters overhead several times. A ripened sense of patriotism brought her to the park to celebrate America's independence for the first time in the 15 years she has lived in Utah. She wore a Harley-Davidson scarf that sported a Bold Eagle and said one of her cousins is in the military and was sent to the Middle East.
But when the helicopters flew over Marea Mejia, she was reminded in a different way of how America has changed. "I feel like something is going on. . . . It's not the same freedom. It's not the same feeling," said the West Valley City resident who originally is from Honduras and has been living in Utah for 14 years as a resident alien.
Utahns who attended celebrations on the Fourth of July said they felt a mix of patriotism and caution on the first Independence Day since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
At Sugarhouse Park, thousands laid blankets on the grass and listened to patriotic music performed by the Utah Symphony, followed by fireworks. At the Red Hot Fourth inside the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles stadium, about 30,000 people listened to music of Kenny Loggins, Chuck Negron and Jericho Road. The celebration also was capped with fireworks.
Despite a caution from the Bush administration Sunday that July 4 could be an attractive symbol to potential terrorists, Salt Lake police did not increase the number of officers at the Sugarhouse Park celebration.
"We have the exact number of people we've had last year," Sgt. Steve Cheever said.
But he said officers were prepared. Cars were kept away from the park. They were ready to check people's identifications if needed.
Between 60,000 and 70,000 people watched the fireworks inside Sugarhouse Park and within a five-block radius around it, he said.
Jason Le played cards with family members at the park, waiting for the fireworks. He sensed more patriotism this year.
"It means a lot more. Maybe Sept. 11 reminds us of what we have. How lucky we are," said Le, a resident of California visiting family in Utah.
To Jacqueline Matthews of Magna, the Fourth of July celebrations affirmed the resolve of the country. "It's a celebration of our freedom and our independence. I think we're stronger now than before."
"I think people are putting more emphasis on the celebration. But in the back of their minds they are more cautious," Vern Wirsch said.
Michelle Russell, Taylorsville, attended the Red Hot Fourth, and said she refused to allow fear to change the way she celebrated the holiday. "There's no difference, and there shouldn't be a difference," she said.
The Deseret News was one of the Red Hot Fourth's sponsors. The celebration opened with "The Star-Spangled Banner," sung by LDS pop group Jericho Road.
"It was very stirring for me," said Susan Mitchell, who was visiting Salt Lake City from her home in northern California.
Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, sang some of the band's classic hits including "Old-Fashioned Love Song," "One Is the Loneliest Number," and "Joy to the World."
Kenny Loggins sang several of his hit songs including "Danger Zone," "I'm Alright," and "Footloose."
Fireworks, choreographed to patriotic music, sparkled, shimmered and lit up the sky above the stadium for about 10 minutes.
E-MAIL: lhancock@desnews.com