9 July 2008
Our nations finest
Posted by Bryon under: General .
This is inspiring and just the kind of thing to make you smile and have teary eyes.
From a Chaplain in Iraq
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 Marines continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Marines 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 Marine 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 Marines, 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 Marines are serving you here.
Chaplain Jim Higgins on 5/14/07.
In Iraq , north of Baghdad
I think these fine men have beaten the enemy. They may not have gotten all of them but they are winning. I think we should slowly pull back on a time table and let the Iraq government crawl and then walk. In time they will be able to run with their neighbors and by then we should be gone. I do think we need a few more years of some kind of presence. Gradual decline is the key. The story was posted on www.specialforces.com
5 Comments so far...
Angela Rogin Says:
9 July 2008 at 9:06 am.
There still is such a lot to be proud of in this country. I needed to read an uplifting blog about the one about world order.
CindyL. Says:
9 July 2008 at 11:59 am.
I’ve thanked some of the soldiers I’ve seen for serving and they really seem to appreciate it. For the most part they are very patriotic people and I am proud of them.
Jesse Says:
9 July 2008 at 3:14 pm.
There is something indomitable about the American spirit that will carry us through rough times. Great story, Bryon.
Hank Says:
9 July 2008 at 11:16 pm.
Thanks for supporting our soldiers.
SGS Says:
10 July 2008 at 10:23 pm.
I fear for those honorable men and women. I fear what could happen to them if Obama does win the presidency. There is no way we could maintain such a high respect and love for this country among those young men and women under such a Commander in Chief! This is a reason, one of very few, why I am keeping my feet on McCain; why I may end up voting for him. It is not because of what McCain can do for this country. McCain won’t be a good president — period. But at least, he won’t be busy destroying the cherished values of this wonderful land. Once we have gone too far left in a short time, it will be very difficult to move back toward the right.
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