Quote Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell View Post
My parents had an interesting experience in going to an US Air Force band concert recently. The band leader said they were going to play the anthems of all the US armed forces branches, and if you had a connection to the one being played, please stand.
I've had a similar experience at Wolf Trap a few years ago.

They played for the Air Force - My Dad was retired Air Force, my brother was currently serving, and I was an Air Force civilian at the time. They played for the Army - I had served as an Army civilian for 10 years, plus been in ROTC, and my Dad had served in the Army. They played for the Navy - I'd been in the Navy. They played for the Marines - I was still in the Reserves. I sat during the Coast Guard but I could have probably stood as I've friends who are serving.

Last May we were attending a luau at the Hale Koa, the military resort, in Honolulu. The Hale Koa is open to active, reserve, retired military and DOD civilians. They asked the veterans (to include the government civilians) to stand for their service. Again, I stood for the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines. Our table mates were quite impressed that I had a direct connection to so many services.