Mom Records Children Frozen on Trampoline as National Anthem Sounds
During the most patriotic month in America, a story from 2017 involving a group of military kids is resurfacing on the internet. A photo of the boys, standing still on a trampoline, has grown in popularity (again) for all the right reasons.
At the time, Tania Sweeney was living at Ramstein Air Base in Germany with her family. She was washing dishes while watching her boys jump on the trampoline with their friends.
As she glanced out the window, she noticed the group of boys had paused their play. They stood solemnly, all facing the same direction.
Sweeney’s heart was warmed by the boy’s actions, noting that they did this on their own and not because an adult was watching.
She snapped a photo and explained on social media what prompted the kids to freeze.
Promptly at 5 p.m. every weeknight, both the German and American national anthems play on the military base.
These military kids had learned how to respond with respect when the music played.
Anyone who has lived on a military base at some point will remember the same national anthem routine. Without fail, adults and kids stop what they are doing and turn to face the direction of the flag as the music plays.
“I love that these boys stop whatever they are doing and show their respect to our current country and the good ole USA!” Sweeney wrote. “We love this neighborhood.”
Sweeney was deeply moved to see that patriotism had been instilled in the hearts of the boys, ranging in age from 7-10 years old.
They no longer need an adult to model the proper behavior for the national anthem — it had become a part of their hearts.
“I love that our boys know now and do it automatically,” Sweeney told the Independent Journal Review. “I was doing dishes in the house and looked out the window to see them at attention. It warmed my heart.”
Sweeney went on to call attention to the sacrifice that military kids make — a sacrifice that is often overlooked.
As a result of living the military life, Sweeney says military kids grow up a little faster and often have a deeply-rooted sense of patriotism.
“They feel pride in their country, and it is amplified living on base and especially in an overseas location,” Sweeney said.
“I am so proud of every boy in that picture, especially because no one made those kids show respect, they did it because they truly respect the USA.”
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