Posted on 07/15/2008 1:04:54 PM PDT by VA Voter
For those who are unaware, at a military theater, the National Anthem is played before every movie.
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 finally sat down and expected the movie to start. But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:' And the rockets red glare, The bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangled banner yet wave, O'er 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. Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price.
Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins LSA Anaconda is at the Balad Airport in Iraq, north of Bagdad.
‘Superman 3’?
Good story, but it doesn’t surprise me at all.
Very moving! Thanks for posting.
I smiled when reading the story because I knew that our Son, an Eagle Scout and 6 years in the Navy PO3 and Patriot, would have done the very same thing.
There are a lot of fine young men that may be able to save the future of our great America from all the crap from the ME ME ME masses and spoiled brats.
Proud American bump!
God bless each and every one of these precious, selfless patriots. America has the BEST troops in the world!
Not to denigrate this event, or to take anything away from the honorable actions here, but...
at least it wasn’t “Superman IV”. I’m not sure it would be appropriate to play the Anthem before showing that turkey.
That is one of the things I miss from my three short years in the Army, even 40 years after the fact. The military doesn’t waste time talking about something, or waiting for someone else to fix it, they just do what needs to be done RIGHT NOW and get on with the program. It’s a whole different world.
The United States Military. Nothing finer!
Has Snopes debunked this one, too?
/johnny
Superman 3’?
In not like they have a chain of Cinemax theatres there.
People look at me like I’m crazy if I hear the Anthem and put my hand over my heart. Sometimes I cry. I love My Country and am proud of its’ fine history. And I’m not ashamed of it.
I will tell that to the world.
God Bless America!!!!
ping
>> at least it wasn’t “Superman IV”. I’m not sure it would be appropriate to play the Anthem before showing that turkey.
Agreed. Superman I and II are great. Superman III is underrated ... but not as good as the first two. Superman IV is an atrocity of moviemaking ... the story sucked, the acting sucked, the effects were monstrosities, the villain was a joke. Altogether, a pathetic display. The only reason I own it is it came with the other three.
Though, if you haven’t seen Richard Donner’s re-edit of Superman II, you’re missing something special ... puts the original Superman II to shame. I think it was direct to DVD ... Superman II, the Donner Cut.
As for the actual story — impressive, but not at all surprising.
H
The screen did get blurry! How’d you do that? ;-)
“People look at me like I’m crazy if I hear the Anthem and put my hand over my heart. Sometimes I cry. I love My Country and am proud of its’ fine history. And I’m not ashamed of it.
I will tell that to the world.”
Glad I’m not the only one that does that!!
I wanted to smack a few folks at church the Sunday after the 4th. We had an honor guard escort the flags down the aisle as the National Anthem played. Very few of them put their hands over their hearts as the music began. Even if they were waiting for the flag to come into view, they didn’t salute.
And alot of these folks are old enough to know what to do. I was stunned.
I get that story with a different movie inserted every so often. :)
The Princess was very confused the first few times we went to the movies on the economy...she stood up and had her hand on her heart...and then previews started.
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