The National Anthem is played before every movie shown at a military theater.
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 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 finally sat down and expected the movie to start.
But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice,
then a dozen, and quickly 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 here in Iraq . I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here.
Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price.
Written by
Chaplain Jim Higgins
LSA Anaconda
Balad Airport in Iraq , north of Baghdad
….Thank you Chief for sending this.
This is a grand story and not surprising. I can visualize the same thing happening when I was in the Army.
Chrissie.
Saturday we made our annual visit to the finals of the Snake River stampede, which is one of the top Rodeo’s on the PCRA circuit. At
the start the announcer asked everyone to stand, remove your hat’s
and lets all sing the National Anthem, the sound of 13,000 in song
shook the rafters!! After that they brought the mounted drill team, all of
the riders shirts were red, white and blue and all carried large American
Flags and did close order drill at a pretty good speed. A bareback Bronc
rider got bucked off and fell on his neck(which was broken) the announcer asked ever one to ask (”God”) to help the young man recover!! That is
why I’m Glad I live in Idaho and I believe there is hope for America
I witnessed the same dedication to the National Anthem at Saturday’s airshow at McCord AFB, Tacoma. Above the din of jet aircraft they played the Anthem, you could hear patriots singing along above all the racket, it was a pleasant day and a great experience, McCord expected about 75000 per day but officially the two day affair drew in 377,616. Yeah it was crowded.:)
At Ft. Huachuca they stood up – not only on POST–
But even at the Drive- in- I thought it was so cool!!
They would jump out of the car and salute and sing
I jumped out too – I was not going to be left out!! LOL!!
It was most everyone there – with hooping and hollering
That was back in 70-71- What a blast!!!
Who knew the National Anthem was so cool???
Tom, thank you, it really had me with tears when I read this.
Tincan Sailor, wow thank you for sharing about that. Fantastic Tincan.
Jack, I love hearing about these things, Thank you so much for sharing about that Jack. How awesome.
Cheryl, that is so neat, gosh I really love things like that.
No one should be ashamed or embarrassed to sing the National Anthem. And don’t sing it in Spanish or change the words or replace it with a different song. That song is for all of us, no matter what your heritage or skin color. Remember that.
Lynn, Ditto that! Well said too.
PS: Check out the opening scene of the 1970 movie PATTON:
“TEN HUT!!!”
George C. Scott was awesome as ****General George S. Patton, Jr!