Do you still get chills...?

[warlock56]

...for example when you hear our national anthem sung properly? When you see the battlefields of the Civil War or various spots on the east coast where men bound together for a common cause to unite against a tyrant and unleash the collar of infringement on human rights?

It had been a while for me since I last read our Declaration of Independence, and the first two paragraphs left me with shivers practically. The eloquence and powerful language used by some of the wisest men ever to cross the face of our planet united for a common goal and exhibit the apex of political writing....

WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.

WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great- Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World.

[ethics]

Yes on many things, but not the Civil War--which is an oxymoron.

[Fiona]

...yes :thumbsup:

[ShinyTop]

I can still tear up when taps is played. I love the history of the War Between the States. The bravery of the individual soldier is awe inspiring and makes me quite happy that my Army encouraged one to take shelter when being shot at.

[Steve]

Taps...my God, little else moves me quite like Taps....

[dliw]

When the bagpipes play at a funeral, when I look upon the grieving face of the one left behind. It is a sadness which touches my soul and makes me bow my head.

[ravital]

...for example when you hear our national anthem sung properly? When you see the battlefields of the Civil War or various spots on the east coast where men bound together for a common cause to unite against a tyrant and unleash the collar of infringement on human rights?
Yes, sometimes, on these and similar occasions, like reenactments of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, accounts of the American revolution, and such. And I won't soon forget the day I took the Oath of Citizenship either.

[Stiofán]

Michael Paulo (http://www.ricoreeds.com/ricoart/paulo.html) was a friend of my sister, and as we buried her, over looking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara, California, he played Amazing Grace on his solitary sax. Not a patriotic moment I know, but now everytime I hear that song, especially an instrumental version I'm affected by it.

[cmhbob]

I honestly try to read those documents a couple of times each year. I post them to BBR, or at least did while I was active there. I encourage many I know to read them again, with a critical and modern eye towards the list of offenses committed by King George...hmmm there's an ironic idea!

I was having a discussion with a Christian brother today, about Ohio's DOM act and proposed amendment. I'm voting against the amendment, for a number of reasons, and strongly suggested that as a Christian, he should do the same. He disagreed. I pointed out that Christ was not at all in favor or forcing his will on others, and would (and does) abhor the idea of using government force that way. My friend disagreed that the amendment was using government force, and I cringed inside at his apparent blindness. :shake:

I read just today a great essay on Christians and libertarianism that really put into words (http://www.lewrockwell.com/yates/yates87.html) what I've been feeling lately.

[araina]

I get teary eyed when I watch Vietnam war movies and see our soldiers die and the actors portray the frustration of the fighting men felt at that time.

Now, I just get happy and feel proud to be American when I see someone perform a selfless act for their fellow citizen.

This spirit of helpfulness is an innate (sp?) American trait.

[joseftu]

I get incredibly choked up by "We Shall Overcome," and even more by "Those Three Are On My Mind."

[Allene]

My first visit to the United States was to Washington, DC, where I came face to face with the Lincoln Memorial. What majesty!

[Suchaknight]

What chokes me up?
Taps at a funeral.
SSB at the Olympics.
Kate Smith singing God Bless America.
Amazing Grace at a funeral.
Bagpipes at a funeral.
La Marseillaise in Casablanca.
Davy Crockett getting killed in the The Alamo.
Bambi's mother getting shot.
Old Yeller getting killed.
Lou Gehrig's farewell speech in The Pride of the Yankees.
Anne Franks' diary.
I could go on and on. Now that I think about it, what doesn't choke me up? ;)
Oh yeah, Roseanne Barr singing SSB--made me hurl. :rolleyes:

[MNeedham73]

Hearing Taps played, to be sure.

Also:

Hearing the Navy Hymn played.
Hearing Marvin Gaye's rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.
Hearing Anchor's Aweigh.
When Joe DiMaggio died, watching Paul Simon quietly sing "Mrs. Robinson" in center field of Yankee Stadium.

Those are but a few.

[mikepd]

Yes on many things, but not the Civil War--which is an oxymoron.


I can understand where you are coming from as there was very little that was civil about the Civil War. However, it was the defining point of the United States of America for prior to that if you asked a person where he was from, you would get replies such as 'I am a Virginian', 'I am a New Yorker', ' am a Maine man' but after the Civil War the answer simply became 'I am an American'.

[ShinyTop]

When I watch Saving Private Ryan and Pvt Ryan salutes the captain's grave at the end of the movie I completely lose it.

[Clowny]

I still have a hard time with Platoon. I went to the premiere with my father & his veterans group. I've never seen my father cry at a movie before & all his friends were teary eyed also. That memory has always stuck with me. He passed away from cancer 14 years ago (agent orange), so it just makes it worse for me now. :(

[Biker]

What chokes me up?
Amazing Grace at a funeral.
Bagpipes at a funeral.


Even better.. Amazing Grace played by a lone piper!

[BigDeputyDog]

The Star Spangled Banner when done properly
Taps
Amazing Grace
You Are My Sunshine (The only song requested by my mother for her funeral)

Having been witness to the funeral of 2 officers who were killed in the line of duty in the past 2 months, I would have to say any funeral conducted under military specifications...

BDD...

[LissaKay]

Handel's Messiah sung by a large choir
Bach's Brandenburg Concertos by a symphony orchestra
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring

Battle Hymn of the Republic sung by a men's choir, especially the Marine Corp Chorus

A 21 gun salute followed by Taps

... and I can't think of anymore at the moment because I just threw Bach into the CD player ...

[Coot]

Taps

[Sarge]

There are a few things that choke me up, but Taps tops my list. I remember laying on the parade field late at night a few times at Fort Belvoir just to hear Taps played over the post loudspeaker. Always kills me when it's played at funerals, especially when it's done with the second bugle echoing in the distance.

[Suchaknight]

There are a few things that choke me up, but Taps tops my list. I remember laying on the parade field late at night a few times at Fort Belvoir just to hear Taps played over the post loudspeaker. Always kills me when it's played at funerals, especially when it's done with the second bugle echoing in the distance.
I think it was JFK's funeral where the bugler skipped a note? Somehow that made it twice as emotional. >choke>choke

[Steve]

When I watch Saving Private Ryan and Pvt Ryan salutes the captain's grave at the end of the movie I completely lose it.The second I realized it was Ryan, with his family - I lost it then.

[Sacchiridites]

Yes. The Air Force base here plays reveille. Quite loudly sometimes.

[kingdome74]

Talking about certain things are not easy for me. I lost my brother while he was in the Navy when I was 10. Lost the only hero I have ever had. There was a full military funeral and each of the Navy personnel that were there each took the time to sit down and comfort a little kid brother that each of them probably had at home. I had an Admiral start crying. The day of the burial it rained and rained - tears from heaven we guessed. Way off in the distance out of sight they played Taps. To this day I cannot listen to it without completely breaking down. When I was in the military myself every night when I heard Retreat I used to run for the nearest building trying not to get caught outside to stand Taps. When we'd have to stand parade I always wore sunglasses because I'd try to hide my tears. Later I became a figherfighter and every Memerial Day we'd stand in the cemetery in respect for not only the brave men and women that gave their life for the defense of this country but also in our own loses within the fire department. At first I tried to get out of it because of being embarassed but I realized that those tears are bought and paid for and I no longer try to avoid Taps. I am proud of the tears. I don't think there is a better tribute to my brother than that.