Friends,
Just received the below email. Wanted to share it with you. Think you’ll appreciate its message………….
For those who are unaware: At all military base theaters, the
National Anthem is played before the movie begins.
This is written from Chaplain Jim Higgins 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 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 everyone 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 rocket’s 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!
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