64th Independence Day

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis headed out to national parks throughout the country to celebrate Independence Day with a traditional barbeque on Thursday while others chose to head to Israel's beaches. Those lucky enough to get a spot in the sand were able to watch another one of Israel's traditional Independence Day spectacles -- the flyover. Bases in the north enjoyed an aerobatic performance and in Jerusalem the air force saluted the 120 soldiers who received an award for excellence from President Shimon Peres. Wednesday night, the annual Independence Day celebration went forward without incident despite a tragedy a week ago, when a lighting rig collapsed and killed Lt. Hila Bezaleli during rehearsals for the event.