PROVO — Much to the delight of Stadium of Fire audience members at LaVell Edwards Stadium, country star Toby Keith belted a certain three-letter word in Thursday's Independence Day Celebration.
Lyrics to Keith's anthem of Sept. 11, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (Angry American)," have stirred controversy across the nation, including speculation here about whether he would be kept from singing the song in the BYU-owned stadium.
"I'm glad he did the song," said Margie Taft, who is visiting from New Mexico in part to watch the Stadium of Fire.
The song forcefully describes the anger Keith's deceased father, a patriotic veteran, may have felt toward the acts on Sept. 11.
"His voice speaks through me today," Keith said to the packed stadium.
Keith announced before the song that while some may not endorse his song, he only cared that his audience approve.
This one certainly did.
"I personally wanted to come this year because of Toby Keith," said Sandy resident Lisa Marquardt. "I think its a great song. I don't find it off-color at all."
Keith's song marked one of the many segments of the program dedicated to patriotism and the memory of the heroes, victims and survivors of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
On the south bleachers, an array of figures lit up in turn to honor sponsors of the show, different branches of the armed forces and emergency and rescue crews. The main scene showed New York, with the Statue of Liberty proudly holding her flame.
The fireworks display, produced by PyroSpectaculars — the same company that produced the fireworks at the 2002 Olympic Opening Ceremonies — included about a half hour of mostly red, white and blue fireworks set to patriotic music.
Springville resident Shauna Patrick appreciated the heightened patriotism in the show this year.
"I think everyone was more united in celebration," she said.
Talk show host Larry King hosted the event, while his wife, Shawn Southwick-King, sang a few songs during the program.
Local a cappella group Eclipse also performed.
Divers from Sky Dive U, including a tandem team, floated into the stadium at the beginning of the event, which also featured a fly-over of F-16s from Hill Air Force Base.
At the conclusion of the fireworks show, Scout troops paraded onto the field waving flags as performers sang "God Bless America."
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