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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 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'
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... |
