Subject: They Continue to Amaze You!

Emailed from a friend:

Subject: They Continue to Amaze You!

From a Chaplain in Iraq.

"I recently attended a showing of "Superman 3" here at LSA Anaconda.
We have a large auditorioum 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.
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".



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