This message was in a e-mail I received today in the retiree network for the MSP. I just thought I'd pass it on. I'm not surprised but it inspires me to read occurrences like this.

 

Greg

 

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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 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, the 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.

 

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins on 5/14/07. LSA Anaconda is at the Balad Airport in Iraq , north of Baghdad'

 

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This message was in a e-mail I received today in the retiree network for the MSP. I just thought I'd pass it on. I'm not surprised but it inspires me to read occurrences like this.

 

Greg

 

**********************************************

 

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 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, the 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.

 

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins on 5/14/07. LSA Anaconda is at the Balad Airport in Iraq , north of Baghdad'

 

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GREAT STORY!!!! Almost brings a tear to my eye

AndrewA74

 

(I take offense to your subtitile) LOL

I've been in that theater while in transit from Iraq to Kuwait on my first tour. These kinds of situations are quite common there, the patriotism I mean. Unfortunately, those stories don't interest the media. They want to know how many Iraqis we 'abuse' by cuffing upside the dome when they reach for our grenade pins

I've been in that theater while in transit from Iraq to Kuwait on my first tour. These kinds of situations are quite common there, the patriotism I mean. Unfortunately, those stories don't interest the media. They want to know how many Iraqis we 'abuse' by cuffing upside the dome when they reach for our grenade pins

All the media wants to do is show the bad part of the war! They don't show how many schools that we open, how many kids we save, or the great successes in Iraq. I personally don't see why Bush is catching soo much flak about the war (No offense). Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 by the Japanese....New York was attcked by the Al-Quieda in 2001. Hawiia wasn't even a state then! New York is. After Pearl Harbor, we rose as a nation and attcked the enemy together. Now people are split about the war in Iraq. Why? I think it's the media myself. Well, enough ranting for this post.

I blame the media, too

All the media wants to do is show the bad part of the war! They don't show how many schools that we open, how many kids we save, or the great successes in Iraq. I personally don't see why Bush is catching soo much flak about the war (No offense). Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 by the Japanese....New York was attcked by the Al-Quieda in 2001. Hawiia wasn't even a state then! New York is. After Pearl Harbor, we rose as a nation and attcked the enemy together. Now people are split about the war in Iraq. Why? I think it's the media myself. Well, enough ranting for this post.

 

This is probably not the place for politics but no matter how many times Bush - Cheney say it, Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Saddam did not have a role in the attack. Not to say he was not a tyrant and a world class SOB but he was not allied with or a supporter of the 9/11 terrorists.

 

I supported the Iraqi war but not because of 9/11; they are too different issues.

whether or not Saddam had anything to do with it is of little consequence. He would have viewed that victory as a reason for him to strike on his own

 

just my 2 cents. not trying to start a political debate. this thread is about patriotism of our troops

Brig,

 

Thanks for keeping the lid on this thread. Please,... if the word Saddam, Iraq, 911, liberal or conservative appear in any future addition to this thread, pull the handle and flush them. As you said the focus is patriotism and lets keep it that way.

 

Greg

 

Brig,

 

Thanks for keeping the lid on this thread. Please,... if the word Saddam, Iraq, 911, liberal or conservative appear in any future addition to this thread, pull the handle and flush them. As you said the focus is patriotism and lets keep it that way.

 

Greg

 

I appologize for my rant....

AndrewA74,

 

Ahhh,... don't sweat it. March around your house three time waving "Old Glory" and all will be forgotten.

 

 

Greg