CHOCOWINITY — Chocowinity United Methodist Church is preparing to celebrate America with its 18^th annual patriotic musical.

The musical “We Are Still America” will be presented twice next week — July 11 at 7 p.m. and July 12 at 3 p.m. — at the church. The public is invited. The program will consist of the church’s special events choir, vocal ensembles and soloists presenting traditional and contemporary songs with themes of historical facts about the founding of America. Narration will include quotes from John Adams, Andrew Jackson, Patrick Henry and others whose principles were the foundation for the birth of the nation, said June Arnold, minister of music at the church.

The program will commence with the audience joining the church choir for the opening selection, “God Bless America,” a tradition for the musical, Arnold said.

Arnold said those attending the program, who have served the United States of America through military service will be honored as they stand during the flag presentations as part of the “Salute to the Armed Forces” medley, with visuals that lend dignity and a sense of national pride to the moment, Arnold said.

New to the program this year is a memorial tribute to those who gave their lives through “duty to country” during the World War II era, Arnold said. As part of the tribute, church member Les Sutorius will play a trumpet solo, “Il Silenzio (The Silence),” a melody written by Italian composers Nini Rosso and Guglielmo Brezza that is reminiscent of “Taps.” The 1965 piece was first played on the 20^th anniversary of the Holland liberation from Nazi occupation, a major milestone victory, which helped lead to the eventual end of World War II, according to Arnold.

“Poignant statistics regarding the number of American casualties in Europe during that war remind us of the cost of freedom,” Arnold said. “Our American cemeteries overseas are symbols to those people and to us of the deep appreciation for America’s sacrifice.”

The program will also include a section of nostalgic American tunes with a sing-along for everyone. Among some of the selections included are “Statue of Liberty,” “We Won’t Give Up,” “Whom Shal I Fear,” and “Heal Our Land, followed by the final song, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” Upon singing the final song, the American flag will be waived and red, white and blue balloons will be released as a show of pride in the United States, Arnold said.

“This will be an experience to come and view, to enjoy the color and visuals and to hear wonderful voices, but there will also be a time for participation not only in a sing-along section but quite moments to look at projected narration and to be able to reflect on the value of America,” Arnold said.

Arnold said the continuing tradition at the church is important in remembering those who have given their lives in service of the United States, as well as in celebrating the freedom facilitated by those sacrifices.

“We want to sort of compliment and be a part of the patriotic celebrations, which occur in Beaufort County and Little Washington throughout the year,” Arnold said, citing the celebrations of Veterans Day and Memorial Day. “We want to be a contributing part of that spirit of honoring what America was and is.”

Chocowinity United Methodist Church is located at 678 NC Hwy 33 West, Chocowinity.