I realize that Veteran’s Day was last Monday, but I wanted to share this with you as a tribute to the men and women who risk so much to protect what we often take for granted. When we think of Veteran’s Day, we most often think of older men and women who have served in previous decades. I thought the following was pretty awesome and gave me a picture of young people that we don’t get often enough. See what you think.
Note: If you have ever been inside a movie theater on a US military base, the National Anthem is played before the movie.
"I recently attended a showing of "Superman 3" here at LSA Anaconda, Iraq. 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 probably happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I can 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 quietly 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.
Now, what would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter as everyone sat down and expected the movie to start, but this time you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier quietly 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 singing: "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 and I just wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here."
Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins on 5/14/07. LSA
Anaconda is at the Balad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad.
So, I wonder what makes the difference in attitude. Is it the discipline and the fear of being punished for unpatriotic behavior? Well, I think discipline certainly makes a difference, but I think it is discipline that has ingrained respect, not fear.
I think the biggest factor at work here was the realization of where they were. They know that they are in enemy territory and that they represent a nation that values and portrays freedom above everything else.
I see a message here for us as we come to worship each week. Do we recognize that we are in enemy territory and that we represent a message of freedom like no other in the history of mankind? When we gather together as a company of Christian soldiers do we have a sense of awe for what and Who we represent?
I am proud of these young people depicted in this beautiful letter and I hold them up as role models that I want to emulate.
The Heritage Singers drew an almost full house once again last Sabbath evening. The music was wonderful and the majority of those in attendance were not from our church. I am sure that many were from area SDA churches, but there were also many from the community and it was great to see them here in our church.
We are coming down the home stretch for 2007 already. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family. I know we will. Ingrid and I are planning to slip away next weekend and just have a little together time. I am so glad that Pr. John is here and I know you are going to be well fed spiritually. I’ll be back to speak on the first three Sabbaths in December and then we have the marvelous weekend before Christmas when we will be blessed with a musical feast from our choir and orchestra. This will be offered both on Friday evening the 21st and Sabbath morning the 22nd. If I were you I would come to both programs. We will!
Some of you may have heard about the tragedy that involved one of our members a week and a half ago. Kay Krkljus was riding her horse with a friend, Peggy Herman, on Dry Creek Road. The horses were startled by a bicycle with reflectors and started running and bucking. Both women were thrown off onto the pavement. Kay was injured seriously, but Peggy was critically hurt. She was taken to Santa Rosa and died soon after. Please keep Peggy’s husband, Tim, and their three children in your prayers. There is a banner in the foyer for them today. They are not members of our church, but they are certainly part of the body of Christ and we want to reach out to them today. Please take a moment to sign the banner.
God is so good and I thank Him for every day that He gives us.
