celebrate the true meaning of independence day. larry jacobs has more. reporter: fireworks filled the skies over communities across the country. the culmination of a scorching holiday for much of the nation. this is the day when we celebrate the very essence of america. and the spirit that has defined us as a people and as a nation for more than two centuries. reporter: the president and first lady welcomed members of the military and their families to the white house for a barbecue, concert, and to view fireworks from the south lawn. reporter: for some u.s. soldiers working the front lines in iraq, this was a special fourth of july. a citizenship ceremony for foreign-born soldiers presided over by vice president joe biden. here at home, a day of parades like this one in historic philadelphia. a fife and drum corps at the national archives. and wa would july fourth be without baseball? or the annual hot dog eating contest at nathan s in coney island. the winner, j
tonight their sweet secret revealed. good evening. this saturday night a u.s. commander is preparing to take on his new role. tomorrow morning general david petraeus will take over what many are calling command of america s longest war. he, of course, is replacing general stanley mcchrystal in afghanistan who made the comments in rolling stone that got him fired. tonight we ve learned of new rules from the defense department for the military when it comes to interacting with the media and get to all of it beginning with martha raddatz who is in afghanistan again tonight for us. reporter: david, general petraeus does not officially take command until tomorrow, but it is already clear he is very much in charge here. today, before an audience of 1,700 americans, afghans and international partners gathered to celebrate july 4th, david petraeus stressed the importance of unity. this is a tough mission. there is nothing easy about it. but working together, we can achieve pr
good evening. this saturday night a u.s. commander is preparing to take on his new role. tomorrow morning general david petraeus will take over what many are calling command of america s longest war. he, of course, is replacing general stanley mcchrystal in afghanistan who made the comments in rolling stone that got him fired. tonight we ve learned of new rules from the defense department for the military when it comes to interacting with the media and get to all of it beginning with martha raddatz who is in afghanistan again tonight for us. reporter: david, general petraeus does not officially take command until tomorrow, but it is already clear he is very much in charge here. today, before an audience of 1,700 americans, afghans and international partners gathered to celebrate july 4th, david petraeus stressed the importance of unity. this is a tough mission. there is nothing easy about it. but working together, we can achieve progress, and we can achieve our mutual o