"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 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. O 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.
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Shame on those of you who are so incredibly selfish, that out of your own fear you can’t muster up the courage to really support our troops! Don’t you get it? There’s no such thing as courage without fear!
I recently read an article that polled many Americans about why they didn’t support the war in Iraq…shamefully, most agreed that they were simply "tired of it!"
While you’re enjoying your picnic and fireworks display in your own little cocoon of safety, thank God that those who continue to defend you and preserve our enormous freedom keep on keeping on regardless of how tired they are!
GOD BLESS THE USA AND ALL OF OUR ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS! An enormous thanks for your service even while serving many idiots who just don’t get it…yet you still remain loyal and faithful to continue to fight for their freedom too! They don’t deserve you, but you, and many of us, know you’re doing the right thing anyway. I’m humbled by your higher calling as though looking down from above as an eagle soaring on high rather than pecking at the ground like some of my fellow American chickens!
I am forever grateful for all of you brave men and women!
DO IT AFRAID!!!!