We have mentioned before that almost every day, at 4:30 pm, if you are on base, you will hear first Japanese and then American anthem play over the loud speakers. Kids have to stop playing and stand reverently; cars have to pull over and turn on hazard lights; walkers need to stop as well and listen to the anthem. I have to admit that several times I had to drive a little bit faster or run inside if I were doing something in the front yard and heard the anthem starting. Basically I was doing what the guy does it this Misawa AFN commercial:
But this what we are supposed to do:) Lately, Mark wants to run outside (even though he is playing inside) when he hears the retreat ceremony starting.
Cute!!!
You know, I remember when I was little, I knew lots of traditional patriotic Ukrainian songs too and of course, our anthem. I think our Ukrainian anthem is very pretty, but sad too:) There was a huge way of teaching kids patriotic songs, symbols and so on at schools right after the Soviet Union broke up. I do remember feeling very patriotic and proud of my country.
Speaking of teaching patriotism at school, for about a month this spring, all second graders at our base elementary school were learning all sorts of important information about the founding fathers of the United States, history, famous monuments and events in the US history. I was very impressed at how much Katya remembered and taught me:) In June, in commemorating Flag Day in the US, three second grade classes prepared a program for us, parents.
This is a recording of them singing the anthem:
They also sang "God Bless America" among other patriotic songs.
Hearing these songs, impress me deeply especially when we live so far away from home.
For the record, I do love America because so far it has brought me all the most wonderful things in life:)
And I love Japan too...it's really dear to my heart.
And of course I love Ukraine--that's just part of me:)
So if we move to Guam, next year I'll be saying, I LOVE GUAM too:)
Are you maybe going to be going to Guam? Eric's company almost got a job there to add on to the hospital there.
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