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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 at all military bases, we stood to attention when
the National Anthem began before the main feature.
All was going well until 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 yell for
the movie to begin. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National
Anthem in the first place.

Here in Iraq, 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes
fixed forward. The music started again and the Soldiers continued to
quietly stand at attention. But again, at the same point, the music
stopped. What would you expect 1000 Soldiers standing at attention
to do??

Frankly, I expected some laughter, and every one would eventually
sit down and wait for the movie to start. But No!!... You could
have heard a pin drop, while every Soldier continued to stand at
attention.

Suddenly, there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium,
then a dozen voices, and soon 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 in Iraq and I wanted you
to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you.

Remember them as they fight for us!

Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for
all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. Many have already paid the ultimate price..

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins LSA.
Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad.
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

What a message this should be to all of us here in America, and especially to those who take our freedom for granted. It just sickens me to know when Obama tries to speak to or about our troops, it's all a lie! Obama is the first President in history to NOT attend the National Military Awards Ceremony.

About ten years ago we attended a volleyball game in another town.
They had 5 kids sing the anthem before the game and they fooled around the whole time giving and receiving shoot-outs to friends in the stands and changing all the words.
I wasted no time contacting their principal and letting him know that there should be NO anthem rather then one so disgraced.
The next time we went there - they had corrected it.
If parents/schools won't teach them then WE need to step in.
The photo that crushes me every time I see it is of the old Veteran standing from his wheel chair as the flag comes by while all the other parade goers sit.
(wipes tears)

Awe inspiring. Unlike Obama, our military knows exactly why they are there, and why they serve their country.

Do you mean this one, StacyL?



Even after all these years I still remember as a drill instructor explaining time and time again the proper position of attention to the recruits: Heads up, faces forward, eyes straight to the front, chin tucked slightly but not stiff, shoulders back, chest out, stomach in, arms straight down to your sides but not stiff, hands cupped slightly with your thumbs along the seams of your trousers. Legs straight but not stiff, with your heals together and joined, even across the back with your feet pointing out at a forty five degree angle.

I LOVED recruit receiving duty. Do any of you know about the yellow footprints?

I am also annoyed when (usually during sporting events but not necessarily NASCAR) the audience does not allow the National Anthem to completely finish before they resume applause and shouting. It’s wouldn’t bother me so much if the applause and shouting were FOR the National Anthem but I often believe it is not.

BTW, a bit of trivia. Do you folks know that in the official musical score for the National Anthem there are only TWO cymbal crashes. “Oh say can you see (crash), by the dawns early light (crash).” Officially there are to be no others although they are almost ALWAYS adlibbed.
~!~
PJ

We are indeed plagued with a president with no tolerance for anything military and no experience as a soldier. Makes no sense to me.

Those that do not remove hats or caps get my wrath. At a baseball game a few years back a young couple stood for our anthem and did not remove their caps. I leaned forward to remind them this was expected. The young women removed her cap immediately and when the young man didn't I simply flicked it off. Much to my embarrassment those around me applauded.