A Pick me up
**Here's a neat story sent by one of GBC's chaplains, James Schaefer.
Reminds us to pray for our chaplains and service men and women during
the holidays.**
Our National Anthem in Iraq
For those of us who are unaware, at a military theater, the National
Anthem is played before every movie.
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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 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?"
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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 on 5/14/07 LSA Anaconda is at the Balad
Airport in Iraq, north of Bagdad.