"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 [mid-anthem].
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, 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.
Thanks to: http://www.blackfive.net/main/2007/06/the_difference.html
1 comment:
When I was in the service I remember well standing at attention for the National Anthem before the movie began. It is part of the tradition of military service and we did it with pride and patriotism.
Just as we stand today when it is played, or when the colors pass by during a parade, out of respect we remain respectfully quiet, no cell phones, no eating, no talking (regardless of what goes on around us).
It is a brief time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for in this great country of ours. Dignity and respect sometimes seems to be in short supply these days, except for those who understand the cost of the fight for freedom against our inevitable implacable foes who desire to take it away from us.
The rest of us sleep safely knowing that these patriots man the battlements around the world to make it thus.
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