When the Music Stopped...  
      (For those who are unaware: At all  military base theaters, the National Anthem is played before the  movie begins.)

 This is written 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 at all military bases, we stood to  attention
 when the National Anthem began before the main feature.  All
 was going well until 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 yell for the movie to begin. Of  course,
 that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in  the
 first place.

 Here in Iraq , 1,000 Soldiers  continued to stand at attention,
 eyes fixed forward. The music  started again and the Soldiers
 continued to quietly stand at  attention. But again, at the
 same point, the music stopped. What  would you expect 1000
 Soldiers standing at attention to do??  Frankly, I expected
 some laughter, and everyone would eventually  sit down and
 wait for the movie to  start.

 But No!!... You could have heard a pin   drop, while every Soldier continued to stand at  attention.

 Suddenly,there was a lone voice from the front of  the auditorium,
 then a dozen voices, and soon 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."

 It was the most inspiring moment I have  had in Iraq and I
 wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are  serving you.
 Remember them as they fight for  us!
      Pass this along as a  reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers  serving us  here at home and abroad. Many have already paid  the ultimate price.

 Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins LSA  Anaconda is at the  Ballad   Airport in Iraq , north of Baghdad.
  
 Please share only if you are so  inclined.
      God Bless America and all of  our troops serving throughout the world.