Posted on 10/02/2007 4:29:41 PM PDT by roaddog727
From a Chaplain in Iraq.
I recently attended a showing of "Superman 3" here at LSA Anaconda.
We have a large auditorium we use for movies as well as memorial services and other large gatherings.
As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through the National Anthem the music stopped.
Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.
Here, the 1,000 soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again.
The soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped.
What would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter as everyone sat down and expected the movie to start.
Here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every soldier stood at attention.
Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers "And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, oer the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq.
I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here.
Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins on 5/14/07. LSA Anaconda is at the Balad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad.
From time to time I get notes from my buddies in various branches of the service. I would like to post more. This one is most appropriate.
God Bless America. With troops like these, there is still hope for our future.
Bad case of blurry screen syndrome setting in.
There are two Americas. I am glad to be part of the one that such people as these belong to.
Thank you very much.
“I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here.”
I have always been convinced that our Armed Forces are without equal in training and sense of honor and duty. That’s why I am saddened when I think, that as these brave men and women serve their country, it is sold out by the politicians back home.
“There are two Americas. I am glad to be part of the one that such people as these belong to.”
Damn straight.
“...it is sold out by the politicians back home.”
Sad commentary, isn’t it.
20 year-olds get. The grey-beards back home don’t.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!
Thanks roaddog!
Just emailed this to everyone on my list. This should be front page material on every newspaper still in business.
Of course, that’s one of the reasons they are dying.
There, we must strive for accuracy.
You’re welcome!
Thank you for sharing that story! We love our soldiers!
<O
(Saluting them now.)
What a moment.
Thanks for the ping Sand rat.
Ping!
And if the theater played the National Anthem in the first place. Even here in Killeen Texas, surrounded on three side by Ft. Hood, the theater does not play the National Anthem before the movies.
However, the Star Spangled Banner *did* precede the Austin College (Sherman TX) football game I attended last weekend. Far as I could see, the entire crowd, the players, officials and even the ambulance attendants, stood and put their hands over their hearts, or saluted as appropriate. It might be a "liberal" arts school, but it's a Texas liberal arts school.
Thank you for sharing this inspirational story.
God bless our troops. And God bless America!
Blurry Screen Bump
WOW!! Thank you for posting this! I love our military guys and gals!!
**In a related (kinda) story **
A couple years ago my hubby went to Monterey, CA to the Laguna Seca racetrack for the Moto GP and Superbike races that were held there. It was the first Moto GP on American soil in quite some time. Miraculously, an American, Nicky Hayden, won the race. When the National Anthem was played, it cut out about halfway through, just like in your story. My hubby said the crowd picked right up and finished the song. I would have loved to have been there for that! I’d have been a bawling baby! :-)
Yes, thank you, it’s a great reminder our Troops have been consistently working hard for the American way of life.
The media’s contrary (practically treasonous) BS is going to be exposed as things become more clear.
Even the Associated Press has been sending out less inflammatory articles during the last few days and weeks. They know what is going on, but they are doling it out piecemeal in order to not appear to be so completely foolish and incompetent.
The problem is for the liars in the media is that the Internet is also a powerful tool for the heroes who are actually getting the job done over there.
The Democrats, and certain media BS artists (hello Jay Severin) are going to beating a lot of crow over the next few months.
“The Democrats, and certain media BS artists..”
Don’t leave out the RINOs.
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