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National Anthem

NullSmurf

NullSmurf

Das Bruce
Joined
Jan 18, 2006
Messages
7,858
Location
Aurora, CO USA
Some of you may have gotten this by email - I didn't. I heard it rendered on a talk radio show, so I researched it. I believe this to be true, based on my research, and based on what I know about our service men and women.

For those who are unaware, at a military theater, the National Anthem is played before every movie.
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 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 d 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 finally sat down and expected the movie to start. But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier 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 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 d 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. Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price.

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins
LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad
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That's great Bruce, thanks for posting. I think we need to educate the youth of America better so they do respect the flag more.

A few years ago I took my son to a monster truck rally at the Bloomsburg Fair and I am sad to say that there were only a small group of us that stood up for the National Anthem, after that I just wanted to turn and yell at everyone there to stand their collective asses up.
 
Bruce, two great posts in a day. You must have a good truck afterall :laugh: , thank you sir.
 
in2xshp said:
That's great Bruce, thanks for posting. I think we need to educate the youth of America better so they do respect the flag more.

A few years ago I took my son to a monster truck rally at the Bloomsburg Fair and I am sad to say that there were only a small group of us that stood up for the National Anthem, after that I just wanted to turn and yell at everyone there to stand their collective asses up.
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Far be it from me to be an apologist for the youth of America, but I know lot's of folks my age that don't know how to act when the National Anthem is played.

Doc.
 
That is awesome. I remember as a young kid living in Heidelberg, Germany we always went to the movies on base. So of course before every movie they played the National Anthem. I lived in Germany from the ages of 4-9 so the only experience I had in a movie theater was on base. When we moved back to the states in 1988 my father and grandfather took me and my brothers to the movies to see Rambo III. I remember right before the movie started my brothers and I stood up in anticipation for the National Anthem. To my surprise the movie started without the National Anthem playing. It felt weird. I think they should play the National Anthem before every movie just like they do at all the base theaters.
 
woodbm said:
I think they should play the National Anthem before every movie just like they do at all the base theaters.
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Not to get a flame war rolling, but why? What about going to a movie (or a sporting event) is inherently patriotic? I understand why it's played on military bases, but why across the nation in theaters that have nothing to do with patriotism/politics?

I don't know, that just seems like a needless thing to do. It serves little purpose. And please don't get me wrong, I'm not against this thread or anything like that, I just want to inquire.
 
The Black Cloud said:
woodbm said:
I think they should play the National Anthem before every movie just like they do at all the base theaters.
Click to expand...
Not to get a flame war rolling, but why? What about going to a movie (or a sporting event) is inherently patriotic? I understand why it's played on military bases, but why across the nation in theaters that have nothing to do with patriotism/politics?

I don't know, that just seems like a needless thing to do. It serves little purpose. And please don't get me wrong, I'm not against this thread or anything like that, I just want to inquire.
Click to expand...

The answer is simple...

The singing of our National Anthem serves to remind you that someone payed the ultimate price for your right to sit at that football game.

Stand up... Take off your goddamn hat, and pay respect for the freedoms you have been given... they weren't free.

3 minutes of your life is a small thing to ask. :thumbs:
 
Devil Doc said:
in2xshp said:
That's great Bruce, thanks for posting. I think we need to educate the youth of America better so they do respect the flag more.

A few years ago I took my son to a monster truck rally at the Bloomsburg Fair and I am sad to say that there were only a small group of us that stood up for the National Anthem, after that I just wanted to turn and yell at everyone there to stand their collective asses up.
Click to expand...
Far be it from me to be an apologist for the youth of America, but I know lot's of folks my age that don't know how to act when the National Anthem is played.

Doc.
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Same with any age group, Doc. However, I know a few who chose to show disrespect. That is their right, I reckon.
 
bigwhiteash said:
The Black Cloud said:
woodbm said:
I think they should play the National Anthem before every movie just like they do at all the base theaters.
Click to expand...
Not to get a flame war rolling, but why? What about going to a movie (or a sporting event) is inherently patriotic? I understand why it's played on military bases, but why across the nation in theaters that have nothing to do with patriotism/politics?

I don't know, that just seems like a needless thing to do. It serves little purpose. And please don't get me wrong, I'm not against this thread or anything like that, I just want to inquire.
Click to expand...

The answer is simple...

The singing of our National Anthem serves to remind you that someone payed the ultimate price for your right to sit at that football game.

Stand up... Take off your goddamn hat, and pay respect for the freedoms you have been given... they weren't free.

3 minutes of your life is a small thing to ask. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I still fail to see why that is needed. Again, don't get me wrong, at sporting events I do stand, take off my hat and enjoy the singing, I just don't see why it's needed. To me, to include it where it hasn't already been, i.e. movie theaters, will invite just as much criticism and derision as it will pride, patriotism.
 
The Black Cloud said:
bigwhiteash said:
The Black Cloud said:
woodbm said:
I think they should play the National Anthem before every movie just like they do at all the base theaters.
Click to expand...
Not to get a flame war rolling, but why? What about going to a movie (or a sporting event) is inherently patriotic? I understand why it's played on military bases, but why across the nation in theaters that have nothing to do with patriotism/politics?

I don't know, that just seems like a needless thing to do. It serves little purpose. And please don't get me wrong, I'm not against this thread or anything like that, I just want to inquire.
Click to expand...

The answer is simple...

The singing of our National Anthem serves to remind you that someone payed the ultimate price for your right to sit at that football game.

Stand up... Take off your goddamn hat, and pay respect for the freedoms you have been given... they weren't free.

3 minutes of your life is a small thing to ask. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I still fail to see why that is needed. Again, don't get me wrong, at sporting events I do stand, take off my hat and enjoy the singing, I just don't see why it's needed. To me, to include it where it hasn't already been, i.e. movie theaters, will invite just as much criticism and derision as it will pride, patriotism.
Click to expand...
I have to disagree with how you see things. Like you said you stand up and enjoy the singing.... It's not just another song it's our national anthem. Well thats my thoughts on it
 
I do, but others may not. But then again I could live without it if I were at a sporting event, and certainly at a movie. I just don't see why it's played in certain circumstances. Sporting events I'll leave out because it's a tradition that hasn't been debated in so long that it is what it is and nobody seems to question it. But just for sake of debate, why add it to movie exhibitions? If the answer is why not, then why not add it to other activities? It just seems so arbitrary to me. I just don't see what a movie (or your average sporting event) has to do with national pride. I'm proud to be here, I respect those who serve and have served, but going to a movie in which I am spending my money on nothing but goods from large corporations and in an environment that is apolitical, I don't understand why injecting forced (I say forced in the sense of tradition and not by a conscious decision from the audience) patriotism would be a good thing.

Just my humble thoughts.
 
The Black Cloud said:
I do, but others may not. But then again I could live without it if I were at a sporting event, and certainly at a movie. I just don't see why it's played in certain circumstances. Sporting events I'll leave out because it's a tradition that hasn't been debated in so long that it is what it is and nobody seems to question it. But just for sake of debate, why add it to movie exhibitions? If the answer is why not, then why not add it to other activities? It just seems so arbitrary to me. I just don't see what a movie (or your average sporting event) has to do with national pride. I'm proud to be here, I respect those who serve and have served, but going to a movie in which I am spending my money on nothing but goods from large corporations and in an environment that is apolitical, I don't understand why injecting forced (I say forced in the sense of tradition and not by a conscious decision from the audience) patriotism would be a good thing.

Just my humble thoughts.
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You keep bringing up Political. The National Anthem is not meant to be political. Both sides should be patriotic.
 
I'm not sure if this is germane to the conversation, but I've always been suspicious of folks who wear their patriotism on their sleeves. Many of 'em are fuggin' draft dodgers.

Doc.
 
In reference to the 'anthem in the cinema' debate: I think it is perfect for military personnel, who respect the anthem and flag properly, and problematic for the general public of which a large proportion are rude, selfish and ignorant.

Such an action would serve only to get people disrespecting the anthem, just cause they can. Like Bruce said, it's within their rights.
 
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