So...living outside a military base and teaching in a district that the federal government has deemed "heavily impacted" can be a different way of life. You value your friends a little bit more (especially when you don't really know how long they will be around), you say thank you for your service to the gate guards (most of whom have not heard these words yet, as they are all of 18), and you honor your country. So, every day at 5 o'clock the National Anthem plays over the loudspeaker on base. If you are on...you stop what you are doing/pull over. We live off base, but within earshot of the loudspeaker. So yesterday, my middle schooler was gathering eggs and I watched as she started toward the house...not really paying attention to the time. She was running across the yard, and all of the sudden she came to a full stop, turned and faced the base, put her hand on her heart and stood motionless for the duration of the National Anthem. When the song was over, she came back in the house and said, "National Anthem...you can't just continue what you are doing, like you don't hear it." This made my heart happy to know that I am raising a respectful child who values her country, but more importantly sees the value in taking the time to show respect.