Tuesday, April 17, 2012

May this music never really stop........


When the Music Stopped


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 throughout
 the world.

13 comments:

Ticker said...

I am surprised that the playing of the National Anthem is still allowed, especially overseas where they may be locals working. Are they not afraid of offending someone? Give it time and I am sure some idiot, namely the "idiot in chief" will declare it unsuitable to be played lest it offend someone.

Z said...

Good point. They probably have to be careful that the film doesn't offend, too.

Ed Bonderenka said...

As if kids today would know the words..Except it ends with "play ball".
Really inspiring.
Thanks Z.

Fredd said...

As an old army vet, I too recall this as the way things were, the playing of the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of movies on base. I had forgotten about that until reading your post, Z.

I am glad they are still doing this, as many other old army ways have been discarded (like the good ol' black combat boots).

Trekkie4Ever said...

I had forgotten about that, Z! I remember going to our theaters and standing up for the national anthem,on military bases.

And, I believe at 6 pm, every single evening on any American base around the world, when the Anthem was played every single person stopped what they were doing and saluted.

I remember in Germany riding my bike and seeing all the soldiers stop and salute and as a military child, darn straight I did the same.

It's about honoring our nation and our military personnel.

cube said...

Good for them. I hope the tradition continues forever.

Over the years we've tried to impress on our girls how beautiful the National Anthem sounds without the oversinging that many celebrities inflict on it nowadays. With YouTube it's so easy to provide an alternative version from which they can decide.

Z said...

Great point, Ed...kids today wouldn't (unless they've been at the Preschool class I teach in patriotism, that is!)

Fredd, what color are they now..PINK? :)\

Leticia, I was raised here even before you were and I can't imagine all that wonderful patriotism on display. I do remember going to a fair on the US Army grounds in Munich one wonderful night and enjoying that!
That's all gone now. sadly

cube, I never thought of that point...it's a good one. The National Anthem is NOT about women grabbing their crotches and screeching like Roseanne did...it's not all those stars belting it out.
It's all about the words...and are they wonderful.
I love the words to AMERICA the best, I have to admit but you won't hear the last few favorite verses at anything public

Ed Bonderenka said...

"you won't hear the last few favorite verses at anything public"
You will in my church.

Z said...

Ed, that's great...mine, too, but I meant public/government.
Those last few verses are amazing, aren't they?

Kid said...

Exceptions for everything, Soldiers don't so what they do for a paycheck, or some bennies later on.
Life is very real for anyone engaged in performing their duties in the military. Carrier flight deck crews doing 22 hours on and 2 off. Infantry digging foxholes in practically solid rock in Afghan and Iraq with little shovels, sleeping in mud, eating camp food. Day after day for months on end, losing friends.
I can only imagine how seriously they take our National Anthem.

Oh wait, the left says they're all losers who couldn't get hired at McDonalds.

Ill bet half the democrat politicians couldn't hold a job at McDonalds, starting with the head imbecile oblabber. "Let's see, it was 68 cents and he gave me a buck, and my register isn't giving me the change amount ... Help!"
Seriously. I'd put money on it.

Fredd said...

Kid: Obama couldn't run a lemonade stand, much less the American economy. And there is no way he could hold a job at Mickey D's: they wouldn't let someone as incompetent as him anywhere near the boiling grease (oh that's right, as any McDonald's mgr would tell you, there's no 'grease' at McDonalds, only shortening...)

Mustang said...

I recall learning state history in elementary school. We learned our state song, the state motto, and it’s history … all designed to give us pride in our state. Today, most Americans love their country; they simply do not know how to demonstrate their respect or patriotism. Civics is no longer taught in schools, and since parents have completely abandoned their responsibility in this regard, drill sergeants teach this to all new recruits. This is a good thing … it reminds us that there are some things that are more important than ourselves.

Average American said...

Z, not sure I remember when I last read such a nice post. Thanks!