From a Chaplain who had served in Iraq

[classicman]

Cic - I'm not sure how to respond to you. I'm just gonna say what I think and let it go from there. I like you and I was/am surprised at your response

I took the standard most common definition of the word "militant." No I didn't need to go back to the middle English derivations of it nor the origins of the word because its application has a very different meaning today. I thought the most common widely accepted definition was fine. I would further submit that the negative connotations associated with the word "militant" were intentional. If you meant soldier, you would have used soldier, not militant. You meant exactly what you said and thats fine. For someone with such a broad vocabulary like yourself, there were certainly many other words you could have chosen. Its ok, we just disagree - great thing about this country, we can agree to disagree and not get shot for it by any militants.

General statement - To answer why they did what they did I'll just list a few words that come to mind off the cuff. Honor, respect, dedication, pride, duty, desire, tradition, camaraderie, sacrifice.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Because that is their culture. It's basically an insular feeling of camaraderie and superiority, especially when many miles from home.

Superiority has nothing to do with it.

[regular.joe]

NoBoxes,

I see that you have elected to not be contacted by PM. Could you please PM me with private contact info? Thank you.

[Aliantha]

Well, I wasn't there so I don't know, but I suspect the reason they all started singing was the same reason as when someone turns off the lights and starts singing happy birthday. Everyone just joins in and knows the words.

It only takes one person to start, and generally, regardless of the song, anyone who knows it will start singing.

Maybe the one voice that started everyone off just wanted to see the fucking movie.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by classicman

Superiority has nothing to do with it.

It's part of the culture.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

It's part of the culture.

Teamwork and the notion that the the sum is greater than the parts which it consists of - Each knowing they are expendable and willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good as many have already done... oh nevermind.