From a Chaplain who had served in Iraq

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Why would soldiers in a desert, many miles from home, with their own internal culture and traditions, respond in the same way to an anthem, which for most us has little currency beyond its use in sports and national events?

Because that is their culture. It's basically an insular feeling of camaraderie and superiority, especially when many miles from home.