There are several advantages to being on base. Granted, we're only here temporarily, but I can see why people would want to be here for good. You're close to everything--the BX, the commissary, the medical clinic, the car place, the golf course, there are constantly people in uniform walking around all over the place, which one can't help but think is sorta sweet and that our country is pretty awesome. But my favorite part is the National Anthem.
Everyday at 4:30 pm on the dot, the loud speakers on base play the National Anthem. You can hear it from everywhere on base -- especially when you're outside. And if you're outside, you stop everything you're doing. If you're walking to your car, you stop. If you're walking on the sidewalk, you stop. If you're driving, you stop. If you're in uniform and you can see the flag, you face it and salute. If you're in uniform and you can't see the flag, you face the music and salute. If you're like me, just a little ole civilian walking among these great men and women who serve our nation, you just stand still (and I may or may not sometimes find myself singing along a little... I can't help myself).
When I was leaving the commissary the other day and a sweet older gentleman who works there had bagged my groceries and was helping me to my car, we walked out just in time for the music. Some people think it's annoying... how frustrating to stop what you were doing... especially if you're in a hurry... or if you're standing out in the cold. When I first got to Vance and learned about this tradition, I loved it. I figured it was just because I was new to it. On this day however, I was in shorts and a fleece, having just come from the gym and it was dark and cold outside. I was trying to rush home and actually have dinner cooked before Aaron got home. And literally the very moment we walked out the door, the music began.
As I was standing there, freezing to death in the 20-something degree weather, wishing that this pre-recorded orchestra version of the National Anthem would hurry on along so that I could give this man his tip money and get into my warm car, out of the corner of my eye I could see him standing proudly--literally, his posture changed at the sound of the song--and he threw up his little arthritic hand in salute of the flag. He didn't move a muscle... and he even had a little smirk on his face. And I found myself sort of convicted... and even got a little teary...
I ended up standing beside my car chatting with him for a while--it turned out he was a WWII vet, and after having served his country for years, he was back in WA state, serving these younger military men and women and their families by packing up their groceries at the commissary and working only for tip money. After his many many years of service to our country, he still gets so proud when he hears that song and he has no problem stopping whatever it is he's doing to pay respect to that song and to the country he fought for and continues to serve. There's something very special about that song and I find myself tearing up when I hear it at the beginning of a football game or when I'd hear it at county Republican meetings when I worked for the State Party. I would always get frustrated when I'd hear people chit-chatting during that song and wonder why in the world they couldn't stop talking JUST long enough to cross their hands over their chests and sing along? And I here I was complaining about having to start dinner a minute later than I had planned because of it...
When you think about it, there really is something so neat that on a military base, when these people hear this song over and over and over and over and over again--literally everyday-- they still stop and pay respect when it plays... that it's still special... I hope I never find myself getting frustrated or annoyed again to have to stop what I'm doing to pay my respects to our nation. All things considered, that is the very least I can do...
And don't worry--I'm pretty sure that's the only "sentimental" post I'll ever make on this blog... but I had to :)
2 comments:
So how much do you tip a guy like that?
Remember the Kirkin' of the Tartans, when you, me, and Emily were up in the balcony, and they played Highland Cathedral and then the National Anthem? I think my lip was bleeding from biting it so hard, trying not to LOSE it with you standing there, in the middle of planning your wedding where you'd walk down the aisle to Highland Cathedral to marry a man who would sweep you halfway across the country...I think that's about when the National Anthem started and it went from bad to worse. So it's neat to hear this from you on this side of things=)
Post a Comment