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Gary

I received this in an email, was to good not to share.

Quote:When the Music Stopped...


(For those who are unaware: At all military base theaters,

the National Anthem is played before the movie begins.)

This is written 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 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 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.

Please share only if you are so inclined.

God Bless America and all of our troops serving through out

the world.
That's a beautiful story, brother.

I've always loved the military, although I don't talk about it much, because I don't want to sound like the shallow, idolatrous, "Power of Pride" types who usually make the most noise about "Supporting Our Heroes." To me, not everyone in the armed forces is a hero: there are plenty of heroes, to be sure, but also plenty of scumbuckets and thugs and time-servers, and this has gotten immeasurably worse since World War II. But I've always loved and admired the various services and their traditions, and the above story is a perfect example of the true patriotism (not the bumper-sticker kind) that informs so many members of our military.

By the way: you and I are old enough to remember this, but it will shock the others: when I was a very young man, the National Anthem was played before every feature, in every movie theater in America, right after the newsreel and cartoon. And it was played at the end of the broadcast day on TV, too, before they went to 24-hour programming.

Now they're saying that a child drawing a flag in art class is "offensive." I tell you, this country deserves whatever it gets.....

Anyway, thanks for the story.

Gary

(05-12-2010 08:28 AM)William Wrote: [ -> ]By the way: you and I are old enough to remember this, but it will shock the others: when I was a very young man, the National Anthem was played before every feature, in every movie theater in America, right after the newsreel and cartoon. And it was played at the end of the broadcast day on TV, too, before they went to 24-hour programming.

Now they're saying that a child drawing a flag in art class is "offensive." I tell you, this country deserves whatever it gets.....

Anyway, thanks for the story.

Amen Brother Amen. Everyday I look forward to Beulah land and that city whose builder and maker is God.
Thanks for posting that, db.

I don't recall the national anthem before movies (I'm a little younger than William) but I do recall it being played at the end of the broadcast day, and often at the beginning (I remember, as I would sit in front of the TV at 4am and watch test patterns as a young child of about 4 or 5!).

When I was at the local American Cancer Society's 'Relay for Life' a few weeks ago, they started the event officially at 7pm, having some young lady sing the national anthem. The men (including so-called 'rednecks') took off their caps, and most people placed their hand over their heart. The children were silent, and stood quietly, as well (!!!). No one spoke, laughed, or made any noise, and everyone was standing and facing the flag. Many of us sang.

It was really nice, and reminded me of how things were when I was a child.

Alas, Babylon...
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