Yesterday (Friday, July 3) was the observed holiday for Independence Day so Barrett was home. We all have been our own personal mucus balls for this past week doing our daily tasks in zombie like manner while emptying every tissue box in sight. Even though we ware sick, we still felt like we needed to do something on our day off, so on a whim, we decided to see if there was a movie playing on base. There was! “Inside Out” was playing at 1. This was a big decision for us as this would be Annabelle’s first movie experience ever and our first movie experience since moving to Okinawa! Crazy, huh? I’d like to say that we got dressed up like that scene in the original “Annie”, alas, the fact that we all got out of our PJ’s was a good sign.
So off we went into the humid 100+ degree weather to our awaited oasis of cooled imagination. The popcorn and pop were bought, my Mike and Ikes were in my reach only, and we sat down with the hundred or so others that came out that afternoon. Then the unexpected happened. The lights dimmed and everyone stood up. All around us I saw men and woman of all ranks and service stand at attention in their shorts and t-shirts as the Start Spangled Banner was played. My heart warmed.
I remember having to do this for every movie I saw when I was in Thailand and I was amazed that everyone stood to honor the King with his anthem before the glow of the projector took our minds to another world. They gave their honor and respect to a man they adored because he meant so much to them. He found a way to make it rain for them, he sweated and toiled for the common Thai farmer, he was kind to every man, woman, and child and the people adored him.
As I held my hand over my heart, I also saw the children bracing up like their parents in honor of our national anthem. I don’t know how to tell you how it feels to be in a foreign country where you are not always welcome and there is a room full of people giving honor to a flag and country that brought them out of their comfort zone to help millions of their countrymen be able to live at home, vote, and be a free country. That was the best part of my first movie together on Okinawa. I will always treasure my God and country that sacrificed for every man, woman, and child. I will stand in honor of this countries flag, anthem, and serviceman who fight for our freedoms. More than one beloved king, our country’s legacy is full of people sacrificing it all for freedom, for my freedom, for yours. Happy Independence Day!