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June 18, 2007
Awesome Letter From The Desert ~ A Must Read
I recently attended a showing of "Superman 3" here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorioum 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. All 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 started 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 sat down and expected the movie to start.
Here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier stood at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand Soldiers ..........
'...and the rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O 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.
Chaplain Jim Higgins .
LSA Anaconda is at the Balad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad
Wild Thing's comment...........
This is from Letters from the Desert blog. I loved it, it was so touching and wanted to share it with you all.
Posted by Wild Thing at June 18, 2007 12:47 AM
Comments
All our children should learn to do this--stand for the National Anthem and be quiet. Do the Pledge (my 5 year old can!) and give this country to respect she deserves.
Thank you for sharing this.
Every parent should made to teach their children how to give respect and to love this land we live on.
Cause if we lose her, we lose us.
Posted by: Lynn at June 18, 2007 04:25 AM
At least some of US know the words to the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner -
(4th verse) "...And conquer we must in our cause, it is just, and this be our motto: IN GOD IS OUR TRUST. And the Star-Spangled Banner in glory shall wave, in the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at June 18, 2007 05:41 AM
"Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States"?
Chaplin, Sir, I hate to tell you this but it just wouldn't be 18-22 year olds back here but adults too, the parents of these 18-22 year olds. Like Lynn said, the children learn from their parents.
Posted by: BobF at June 18, 2007 09:15 AM
That was wonderful WT. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. One of life's lessons is to give more than you ever expect to recieve. Part of my career was spent tutoring my coworkers, one day one of my pupils solved a vexing problem I had been working on, saving the employer a lot of money. During the followup critique I was asked why I couldn't find the problem when my apprentice could, it was a blatent attempt by management to make my effort seem less effective, it didn't work. My response was, we work as a team, if my apprentice turns out to know more and be more effective than I then I've done my job, because that apprentice has had the benifit to learn what I and every other instructor has had to offer and has put that knowledge to their best use. If we each give more of our knowledge, skills, and honor to those we lead then we will get that positive response we just read about. Set the example and lead by example. God Bless them and America.
Posted by: Jack at June 18, 2007 12:47 PM
The military is one of the last institutions of patriotism, dignity and duty in America. I am glad I served and I still serve in spirit.
Thanks Wild Thing for our forum here at theodoresworld.
Posted by: TomR at June 18, 2007 01:39 PM
Lynn...."Cause if we lose her, we lose us"....oh Lynn that was so great and so true. Thank you.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 18, 2007 11:51 PM
Darth I love reading that, thank you.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 18, 2007 11:53 PM
Bob that's true, adults as well as younger people. Good point to bring up. Sad but true.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 18, 2007 11:54 PM
Jack I love that story, thank you so much for sharing about an experience you had. That is fantastic how you handled it, I love it and your absolutely right too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 18, 2007 11:56 PM
Tom I thank you, it means a lot to me to know you and that you served our country. More then I can even say.
I agree so much about the military being the last hold out of true patriotism, dignity and duty in America.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 18, 2007 11:59 PM
