From a Chaplain who had served in Iraq

[classicman]

Recently attended a showing of "Spiderman 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, May 14, 2007

Even though this is old, I thought I'd post it because they are getting lost in all the election & financial "coverage."

[Sheldonrs]

The only thing marring that otherwise inspirational moment is the fact that they had to watch "Spiderman 3" after it.

[classicman]

Good point - I too thought that movie sucked.

[HungLikeJesus]

It's a nice story, but I'm not sure what he's trying to say that it indicates about those Marines.

[Cicero]

He is trying to say that Marines are militant. Wow. News Flash.

[classicman]

Oh really Cic - Is that what you got out of it?

[Cicero]

Absolutely. I've seen some peeps do this in my time.

Were you ever trained to stop what you were doing at 5:00 or 5:30 or when someone died, or for whatever, no matter what it was, when the trumpet sound came on? Then stood there facing the best guestimation of where the speaker is with your hand over your heart for the duration? I'm a civilian though. I have never had to go out of my way....I was never trained to do the same shit over and over again....and take it seriously. What the hell would I know about base movie theaters in remote locations?

What I got out of it? Nothing has changed... Militants are still...militant.

I have never seen a base movie theater react with any disrespect or disregard for the National Anthem. People that serve take it seriously, especially anyone of any rank of consequence. And their families.

This is a conditioned response. I am no longer Pavlov's dog and can choose for myself now, what I am giving my respect to, and my moments of silence.

[regular.joe]

Originally Posted by Cicero

This is a conditioned response. I am no longer Pavlov's dog and can choose for myself now, what I am giving my respect to, and my moments of silence.

Cicero,

I'm not sure if you meant to dishonor me, if it were only me, I wouldn't care.

When I trained a young man to enter and clear a room, I trained some conditioned responses.

When I taught a young man about the history, tradition, and customs of the Army...I believe I was teaching him to respect the men and women whose shoulders he stands upon today. Soldiers like the following:

SHERIDAN, CARL V.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company K, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Frenzenberg Castle, Weisweiler, Germany, 26 November 1944. Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Birth: Baltimore, Md. G.O. No.: 43, 30 May 1445. Citation: Attached to the 2d Battalion of the 47th Infantry on 26 November 1944, for the attack on Frenzenberg Castle, in the vicinity of Weisweiler, Germany, Company K, after an advance of 1,000 yards through a shattering barrage of enemy artillery and mortar fire, had captured 2 buildings in the courtyard of the castle but was left with an effective fighting strength of only 35 men. During the advance, Pfc. Sheridan, acting as a bazooka gunner, had braved the enemy fire to stop and procure the additional rockets carried by his ammunition bearer who was wounded. Upon rejoining his company in the captured buildings, he found it in a furious fight with approximately 70 enemy paratroopers occupying the castle gate house. This was a solidly built stone structure surrounded by a deep water-filled moat 20 feet wide. The only approach to the heavily defended position was across the courtyard and over a drawbridge leading to a barricaded oaken door. Pfc. Sheridan, realizing that his bazooka was the only available weapon with sufficient power to penetrate the heavy oak planking, with complete disregard for his own safety left the protection of the buildings and in the face of heavy and intense small-arms and grenade fire, crossed the courtyard to the drawbridge entrance where he could bring direct fire to bear against the door. Although handicapped by the lack of an assistant, and a constant target for the enemy fire that burst around him, he skillfully and effectively handled his awkward weapon to place two well-aimed rockets into the structure. Observing that the door was only weakened, and realizing that a gap must be made for a successful assault, he loaded his last rocket, took careful aim, and blasted a hole through the heavy planks. Turning to his company he shouted, "Come on, let's get them!" With his .45 pistol blazing, he charged into the gaping entrance and was killed by the withering fire that met him. The final assault on Frezenberg Castle was made through the gap which Pfc. Sheridan gave his life to create.

The above is a Medal of Honor Citation. I know this story well, I was a Drill Sergeant in B 2/47 Infantry at Fort Benning. I know that his company strength that day started at 240 men, I also know that he stopped in the middle of of 1000 yard advance under heavy artillery fire to pick up more weight. More weight that proved to be crucial in the coming fight. He normally only carried two rounds for his Bazooka. The 35 men left out of 240 did not stop and say "fuck it, I"m done", they finished the job. I will always maintain that we honor these brave fighting men when ever we display respect and honor to the flag of our nation. Including standing in the theater before a movie while the National Anthem is played.

You may compare such actions to Pavlov's dogs, in doing so you devalue and dishonor these same brave fighting men of our history.

Quite frankly it pisses me the fuck off.

/off rant.

[classicman]

Dedication is what I got out of it. I don't think militant has anything to do with it. We just have different perspectives.

[Cicero]

Dedication was never in question....More of the same...was. It's no news flash. Once again.

I guess there's a news flash for you: Military people are militant...Which is why they are called Military.

News Flash: You think that the word Militant is derrogatory. Obviously.

[classicman]

Dictionary:
militant
(mĭl'ĭ-tənt) pronunciation
adj.

1. Fighting or warring.
2. Having a combative character; aggressive, especially in the service of a cause: a militant political activist.
n.
A fighting, warring, or aggressive person or party

militant
adjective

1. Of or engaged in warfare: belligerent, combatant, hostile. Idioms: at war. See attack/defend.
2. Inclined to act in a hostile way: aggressive, belligerent, combative, contentious, hostile. See attack/defend, attitude/good attitude/bad attitude/neutral attitude.
3. Having or showing an eagerness to fight: bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, hostile, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, warlike. See attack/defend.

Now you tell me what any of that has to do with it?

[Cicero]

I am just going to shake my head here. That is all.

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by Cicero

I am just going to shake my head here. That is all.

[Sundae]

I admit we have a very different culture here.
The armed forces nominally serve the crown, but I would really snicker if I read that a bunch of squaddies stood up and waited for the national anthem to begin again.

Then again, we don't play it before films (WTF?!) so as I say it's a huge cultural difference.

Perhaps it's just because our national anthem is about a person, but it's really not considered important to revere it. It's just a song, it's not this country. It may well get changed at somepoint, same with the flag. Neither is England (or the other various monikers for our islands).

[classicman]

Well we agree on that at least, I shook mine after your first post.