National Anthem

[Stalker263]

I wonder how this would go down at home here in the US. This got to me, I love soldiers for their selfless service!


For those who are unaware, the National Anthem is played
before every movie in military theaters in the U.S. and abroad.

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.

Al l 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 began 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 on 5/14/07
LSA Anaconda is at the Balad Airport in Iraq , north of
Baghdad .

[Ender]

Hearing the National Anthem sung well brings tears to my eyes. I generally see it only at Red Wings games and watch it on TV for the Superbowl, since they don't broadcast it very often.

I proudly stand with my hand over my heart, even if those around me choose not to. I am often impressed by the number of people around me doing the same as I do. I also wish for the times in the past when EVERYBODY stood as one.

[gozling]

yup... every friday night i go to my 2$ movie on base and the anthem plays before every show... they have a movie film that goes with it and they seem to rotate between three of them.

the other nice thing is there is a sign and things are enforced:

no mids showing- wear a normal friggin shirt
no hats- no sideways shit, backwards shit, and not on inside
no grungy pants hanging down to the floor allowed
there are a bunch of others but those are my particular favorites...

it has been nice going to the grocery store and movies on base where everyone is dressed appropriately

it is also nice when the colors are played and you see folks stopping their cars and everyone stops on foot and turns to the music

reminds me of a lot of things

[keith720]

That stuff makes me proud! I remember when I was a kid, we went to see the USS Missouri and my Dad, who was in the Navy in WWII, stood and saluted the flag with tears in his eyes before we boarded.

[Willowdared]

I still place my hand on heart and sing along....anytime....anywhere.

[Ender]

it is also nice when the colors are played and you see folks stopping their cars and everyone stops on foot and turns to the music

reminds me of a lot of things

the "old school" things that I seem to have missed by 10 years REALLY impress me when I see them.

An example: I went to a couple funerals "up north," from me. Michigan folks understand the term...

When we were driving in the procession, cars on the other side of the road pulled off and turned off their headlights to wait. Hell, SEMIS pulled off to the side to let us pass. In lower Michigan, traffic going the other way doesn't even acknowledge (and perhaps, in busier areas, it isn't safe to do so). However, seeing that fairly minor display of respect...was actually pretty damn impressive.

I also remember about 21 years ago, when my Grandpa died. Folks that he worked with YEARS before stood outside with their place of business with their hands/hats over their hearts as the procession went by.

[CTR man]

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 on 5/14/07
LSA Anaconda is at the Balad Airport in Iraq , north of
Baghdad .

I have said it before and I will say it again because it bears repeating. I feel blessed that I get to remember the military every day that I go to work. I work for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and it is an honor to do so.

Its really too bad that more people here stateside take this kind of stuff mentioned here for granted, but it is exhilarating to see those that know how to pay respect to our country and those who are or who have served, regardless of branch.

It tears me up every time I hear the National Anthem and I pay my respects every single time. Pledge of Allegiance too.

[CTR man]

Hearing the National Anthem sung well brings tears to my eyes. I generally see it only at Red Wings games and watch it on TV for the Superbowl, since they don't broadcast it very often.

I proudly stand with my hand over my heart, even if those around me choose not to. I am often impressed by the number of people around me doing the same as I do. I also wish for the times in the past when EVERYBODY stood as one.

So do I, Ender. My dad was also in the Navy in WWII so I learned to pay my respect to my country at an early age. It was drilled into me. Later on, I understood why and now I am grateful. Thanks Dad.

[MacLean]

Now that they changed the law, I salute - uniform or not.

I earned it.